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Dear folks,
We could argue about MNiRC and associated topics until we're blue in the face, but I don't see it actually resolving anything. It will just be arguing.
Have a happy new year, everyone, and may good things come to all!
Sheffe
- Sunday, December 31, 2006 at 06:17:43 PM (EST)
Susan: please don't think I don't see your point; in a way I see it only too well. But it would really be very difficult to discuss MNRC at all without at least mentioning the political issues that are there as a backdrop to the play. Discussions of MNRC would have to be banned altogether, or that's how it looks to me. What does our severe but beloved webmistress say?
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, December 31, 2006 at 02:57:11 PM (EST)
Happy New Year to everyone! May all your dreams come true!
Sunny <ksenia90210@yahoo.comfoo>
- Sunday, December 31, 2006 at 02:27:07 PM (EST)
Every time I've seen an AR fan site get into a discussion of the politics of Israel and Palestine (via discussing MNIRC) there has been trouble and anger and it has resulted in people leaving the group. Often owners and moderators have had to ban the subject. There are many sites for this topic, from all points of view. I hope those of you who are interested in talking about it will take this discussion to one of the sites intended for this deeply divisive religious/political question before there is more politics and unpleasantness here.
Susan
- Friday, December 29, 2006 at 06:43:37 PM (EST)
Alan is doing a Q&A at the Tricycle Theatre, London after a showing of the film Perfume on Wednesday 3rd January.
Claire
- Friday, December 29, 2006 at 06:19:29 PM (EST)
Rania, yes, I'm one of those who disagree. I was very moved by the play, and so were clearly people sitting near me, as many of them were sobbing towards the end when Rachel is upset about things she has witnessed and tells her parents something like "This isn't the world I'd have wished to be born into!". (Quoted from memory.) During the Edinburgh run in August, it was extremely difficult to get tickets (as it was for SC, also shown during the Festival there). A friend of mine and myself were very lucky to get the last two tickets for one performance. Perhaps I should add that it wasn't Dodds who played Corrie in Edinburgh. And, as somebody mentioned anti-Semitism, I'd also like to point out that there is a great difference between that and anti-Zionism. There are Jews who are anti-Zionists (Harold Pinter is one well-known example).
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Friday, December 29, 2006 at 05:22:09 PM (EST)
Fine that there is a lively discussion about MNiRC now. I am a Jew myself and frankly, when I first read about MINiRC, I was very critical of what AR was doing there. So I read the book - I wasn´t able to see the play myself. I know, Michal, that there must be many Jews who will ban his work now, and I can only think that that is stupid behaviour if they haven´t even seen the play or read the text. If they had, they would know that Corrie herself was critical of Israel, but knew very well that Judaism is something else entirely than Israel´s problematic politics. And obviously the play is not against Israel, but against unfair military actions against civilians, which is a worthy cause. Only that most Israelis are Jews does not mean that Israel can not make mistakes. It does, and others turning a blind eyes against that does not help the Jewish cause in the long run.
As far as I know, some orthodox Jews found the play very moving. Probably it is more interesting to listen to a one hour monologue if one is interested in the content. I hope I will be able to see the play one day. I found the book very moving. And frankly, I am even proud that AR does something which will be criticised by many and might injure his reputation with some, but which he thinks to be right.
Dorothea
Germany - Friday, December 29, 2006 at 04:14:46 PM (EST)
Isn't it about time that someone admitted that many people, including myself, found MNiRC incredibly dull? This latest about Toronto seems yet another attempt to breathe life into a really, really dull theatrical experience - trying to create controversy about the subject matter as a smokescreen for the fact that the play, as performed by one person, as sat through, as it exists, is really boring. Before a lot of people leap down my throat protesting that they, themselves, were riveted, I have to offer my opinion as a Rickman fan and a theater fan. I saw Rachel Corrie on 10/5. Megan Dodds recited Corrie's e-mails in this weird sing-song-ey voice. Some of the text was interesting. Some of it was obviously written to be read, not spoken, which is almost always deadly. Some guy behind me was actually snoring. There are some people on these Rickman boards who just think he can do no wrong, has all sorts of superhuman abilities, and are willing to screamingly defend him no matter what he chooses to do. I love Alan Rickman as an actor, but his choice of material as a director seems to show he's not got any clue how to keep an audience interested in the medium in which he's working. The Winter Guest worked as a stage play - so he brought it to film and its arguably one of the dullest films ever made. He read a truckload of e-mails and journal entries, meant to be read, and had someone perform them, causing another almost interminable experience.
I'm sure loads of people will attack this post, telling me the Winter Guest was some sort of thrill ride. But the fact about the Rachel Corrie performance was that the audiences just didn't take to it. Even the London performances in the West End were only sold out on the weekends.
I feel sorry for acting teachers in all English-speaking countries now, because they're going to have to sit through monologues by 22 year old actresses every semester for years culled from the deadly earnest Rachel Corrie. It's not a political issue. It's a theatrical one. The thing just isn't that good.
Rania Al-Khalifa
- Friday, December 29, 2006 at 11:05:40 AM (EST)
This is week-old news but I only just read it in NY Times "Arts, Briefly" column of 12/25/06: "More Turmoil For 'Rachel Corrie'"
A Toronto theater has scrapped plans to stage "My Name Is Rachel Corrie," The Toronto Star reported. Martin Bragg, artistic producer of the Canadian Stage Company, told the newspaper in a telephone interview that he had decided not to make the play the centerpiece of the company's 2007-8 season, as he had recently suggested. The newspaper offered several possibilities for the decision. Mr. Bragg said he was "absolutely reduced to tears" by the script, but found the production flat when he said he saw it playing to a half-empty house Off Broadway in New York. But so-called insiders at the Canadian Stage Company said members of its board were alarmed by negative reactions from influential supporters, including Jews, to a play that could be perceived as anti-Semitic propaganda. The Star said that the nonprofit theater had lost nearly $700,000 this year, and its audience has diminished, making the prospect of alienating subscribers unwise. "My Name Is Rachel Corrie," assembled by Alan Rickman and Katharine Viner from the writings of an American-born advocate of Palestinian rights who was killed by an Israeli Army bulldozer in the Gaza Strip in 2003, was seen at the Royal Court Theater in London before causing an uproar when a planned New York Theater Workshop production was postponed. It was eventually produced Off Broadway at the Minetta Lane Theater, above, where it closed on Dec. 17 after 9 previews and 71 regular performances.
The Toronto Star's theatre critic, Richard Ouzounian, says in his 2006 wrapup (12/27) that "Bragg's recent decision to cancel My Name Is Rachel Corrie, supposedly in the face of board pressure, is just one more indication of the muddied artistic thinking that is plaguing this theatre and needs to be remedied as soon as possible."
Anne/Manhattan
- Friday, December 29, 2006 at 06:07:55 AM (EST)
Excellent essay, IDMT!
I'd also like to recommend Jimmy Carter's new book Palestine Peace not Apartheid. He's very knowledgable about the Middle East and knows most of the major players, both Palestinean and Israeli, and I think the book's a fair representation of the problems there. Mr. Carter also comments on the falling away from traditional Jewish religious beliefs in Israel's current actions.
Snpe's Witch
- Friday, December 29, 2006 at 01:49:55 AM (EST)
Hi Michal, that's a good question that no one can answer third-party. But it's also slightly ironic that people are banning things and people associated with the diaries of Rachel Corrie. Rachel herself was writing about the dangers of ignoring problematic policy out of blind loyalty. Disagreeing with a work is honorable. Being afraid her account is too damaging for a faith to withstand is precisely the danger Corrie sees in American isolationism towards Israel.
The play warns against violent terrorist actions which are largely ignored by Americans as pardonable simply because they claim a religious purpose. Rickman supposedly read the letters in a newspaper, but all the material in the play itself are Corrie's first person accounts and reactions, not his.
If you remember the line where Rachel is surprised that blue Stars of David, a sacred symbol of peace and wisdom, are being used to vandalize doorways and intimidate Palestinian civilians outside of Israel, that's not speaking negatively at all about Judaism. It's remarking on the sacredness of a peace-loving, family-oriented religion, and actually exalting the Jewish tradition as something that has been surviving and enduring against great adversity for many hundreds of years. She is shocked because she expects Jewish people to follow a higher standard, and the use of that symbol in Palestine in the exact same way the Nazis used it during the holocaust strikes her as sacrilege. When you think of how opposed most holocaust survivors were to ever ignoring genocide again, it in fact is sacrilege against their memory, and a sign of forgotten tradition and poor judgment on the part of rarefied Jews who take no action to protect against the misuse of their tradition by misguided and youthful raging militias from Israel that maraud across and vandalize Palestine.
Rachel is not questioning the wisdom of the Jewish tradition of peace and humility, her journal is questioning such an advanced and sensible religion that has the oversight and history of oppression to understand what the Palestinian civilian border community is going through, but like many religious groups in the Second World War, is choosing instead to ignore these crimes for fear of being branded anti-Jewish.
Needless to say this is hurting the world view of Judaism when Israelis behave in a way which is identical to past Nazi oppression of the Jewish community, and is disrespectful to the Jewish tradition of modern times to call such atrocities in any way Jewish-related.
The danger of contaminating Jewish tradition with rampant colonialism is a very real threat to the health and future of a peace-loving Israeli nation. Armchair Jews who support the vengeful tone of such terrorism committed in the name of Judaism are not supporting a Israeli state, they are gleefully rooting for a football team on the evening news they have become too cut off from to recognize as a perversion of what their country was created to protect.
That's not to say strategically it wasn't necessary to inspect the house that Rachel died protecting the day she was run over in Palestine, but that the Israeli military is often pardoned by American supporters even when blatantly playing the aggressor in wholly non-religious and unjustifiable war crimes, behaving strictly as war criminals, and not at all as Jews.
It's very similar to Irish Americans who support the IRA, even though there is very little Irish-nationalist or Republic-minded associated with an army of terrorists blowing up a bus of school children. These are acts of anger and frustration, not policy. They show an organization that is out of control and in need of reform and reprimand. Likewise, the danger of armchair American Jews to turn a blind eye from corrupt Israeli militias shows little understanding or intellectual balance that is the hallmark of a well-studded Jewish tradition. It is unlikely that either group recognizes or embodies true Jewish tradition at this point.
Rewarding violent behavior towards civilians with the title of Jewish saviors bestowed upon angry Israeli armed youth is more an insult to the Jewish tradition than a supportive posture for Israel. Any nation so focused on the extermination of its neighbors begins to resemble fascism when colonialism and supremacy become a goal. These are Israeli militias attacking civilian Palestinians outside of Israel at this point. It is not defensive military behavior for the security of Israel. It is the beginnings of colonialism and a flexing of ample military muscle against unarmed and peaceful non-Israli civilians outside of an Israeli-controlled country.
Rachel only wondered why Americans weren't willing to more strongly question war crimes against civilians that are funded by American finances. It was never suggested that the crimes of the Israeli army were blameful of the Jewish religion or that the two were correlated at all. In fact she explicitly states they are not correlated, and that lack of correlation needs to be recognized by the world. Just because a soldier is Israeli it should not give him rights outside his country for vengeance.
Jews wishing to correlate violence by frustrated youth in the Israeli army with the glory of Judaism need to revisit their religion in their minds and hearts. Instead of being afraid to oversee these wrongful actions, they need to be willing to view the situation honestly and objectively from both positions if we really expect a lasting peaceful solution for the weary survivors of the war-torn Israeli nation. The violence of one side will only be a convenient excuse for the other.
Some of Corrie's own behavior was also questionable, but her message was not associated with that behavior and her message in her diaries is wrongfully muddied when assumed to be merely Palestinian propaganda. It would be unsound to continue to think so in the face of so much mounting evidence of Israel's continued and escalating vengeance towards Palestinian civilians outside the Israeli boarder. Unlike Nazi germany, the Jewish community has a direct link to impose restraint on the Israeli nation and it's leadership. This advantage should not be ignored out of blind pride in the now powerful conquering Israeli militia. It should be used by a wise and united Israeli leadership to curb the violence sparking more retaliation from Palestine. There is no other option for peace.
Thanks for joining the discussion on this forum. Feel free to share any of your thoughts of Rachel Corrie-related views and opinions. It's decidedly a hot topic for us all.
IDMT
NYC, - Thursday, December 28, 2006 at 08:56:14 PM (EST)
Have those people actually seen the play? It might be a little too easy to condemn it out of hand. I saw it at the Edinburgh Festival in August, and I agree with AR who said in an interview that Rachel was -- or may have been -- naive. MNRC is to my mind a moving pacifist statement; also a portrait of Rachel as an individual.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Thursday, December 28, 2006 at 05:06:21 PM (EST)
I love Alan Rickman's work and consider myself a fan.But I was wondering if Alan knows how his directorial work on "My name is Rachel Corey" affects his Jewish /Israeli fan base?
A lot of people in my community are actually banning his work now,because they are offended..
Michal Katz <michalkat@gmail.comfoo>
Gainesville, FL usa - Thursday, December 28, 2006 at 02:07:55 PM (EST)
That harry potter spoof was the funniest thing I have seen about the series ever, cause that is so how I pictured what they were thinking. I would watch the films and think the same thing. I laughed so hard. Thanks for the link!
don't matter
- Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at 11:30:02 PM (EST)
Dear Madonna, Many of us have survived crises and depressions of various kinds (I'm a survivor, myself). It seems that AR has helped quite a few, from what I've read in this GB. Blessings for the New Year, and every year,
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at 07:50:04 AM (EST)
I am so sorry for my last post but my life has imploded since the 23rd of december last year. I hit rock bottom about the time I last wrote here.... The song from Die hard at the end "oh the weather outside is frightful" has made me smile somewhat these past few months. I cannot describe where I have been, but at christmas time, and the help of friends I have saved myself. I am a better person now and will make something of myself! Merry Christmas everyone here on the GB! Madonna xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Madonna the Aussie ( My real name)
Gold Coast , Qld. Australia - Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at 12:00:24 AM (EST)
A Happy Christmas and New Year to Suzanne and all visitors to this GB! And to AR, of course.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, December 25, 2006 at 04:58:50 PM (EST)
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!
Suzanne, thanks so much for your lovely GB where we all get to meet and discuss AR and check out his pics that people post here.
All the best for 2007=PEACE TO ALL
Pam
MA - Monday, December 25, 2006 at 01:05:06 AM (EST)
Great site! Keep up the good work!
Cybil <sibyllan@hotmail.comfoo>
- Saturday, December 23, 2006 at 05:16:07 PM (EST)
Julia, thanks for the link. Certainly lavish praise for AR, but also for the other actors, surely? "wonderfully acted" refers to SC as a whole. I believe the critic expected too much realism in the narrowest sense -- not the semi-realistic, semi-lyrical stuff that seems to be typical of SC.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Saturday, December 23, 2006 at 08:48:29 AM (EST)
A Rickman-positive, otherwise negative review of Snowcake in today's Calgary Herald. Features a photo I haven't seen before. There's a more positive review in this week's free local paper, but it doesn't seem to be online yet.
See also the article about Perfume
Julia
Canada - Friday, December 22, 2006 at 07:34:53 PM (EST)
Alan's next project is "Act's of Charity" (2008)
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000614/
Sunny <ksenia90210@yahoo.comfoo>
Europe - Friday, December 22, 2006 at 10:55:58 AM (EST)
...and I have a mistake of my own to correct. The track title is "Richis' Escape". My bad and not enough coffee before I began typing.
BTW, I think I have always thought of this as a questbook.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Thursday, December 21, 2006 at 01:12:23 PM (EST)
The title of the 7th and last book - "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."
Questbook. Good name.
Slope, ditto and definitely ditto (on Mel GIbson). (I so disliked his Hamlet.) How fun for you to have such an AR-fest with Snow Cake.
Ali-Pat, now you can put away that other fish soundtrack....;-)
IDMT, I find the connection between neurobiology and behavior to be an interesting and expanding area. Dedicated scientists tirelessly research protein strings, sequence peptides (and determine which parts of the brain "light up" and when), to enable us to better understand, predict and direct our physiological and emotional responses. But how we as people understand and use this knowledge in relation to each other will depend on our willingness to engage ourselves individually, and as a community, no matter how small or large.
I'm not cut out for medical research, but I can do the latter...
That's one reason I feel theatre is so vital.
"There's no point in theater just being decorative."--AR
Renie
- Thursday, December 21, 2006 at 01:09:53 PM (EST)
Actually, that was a mistake, but when I re-read my post I thought, how cool, quest book! I think I'll leave it and not bring attention to the error. Must have been a Freudian slip of the fingers on the keyboard or something. Also, I know, it's everyone, not eveyone. Hee, Hee!
CHRISTINE
PORTSMOUTH, - Thursday, December 21, 2006 at 09:58:14 AM (EST)
Ha-ha--quest book, indeed!
Yesterday I took a break from the relentless Christmas music to listen to the Perfume soundtrack (an early gift from Santa!). It is haunting, almost Debussy-like. Yet in some places it almost sounds like something from Harry Potter. Must be the celesta. I am no expert in these things, but it seems to me to be an above average ST recording. My favorite track of all is "Richi's Escape", and not only because of the subject. All in all, a worthwhile listen. At least something to keep me satisfied until January 5 when the film opens in my local art house (drumming fingers with impatience).
I also received my copy of A Fish Tale. No good news on extras, however--this version only contains the film. Pooh.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Thursday, December 21, 2006 at 09:28:40 AM (EST)
Christine: was "quest book" intended as a joke? Our GB is indeed ALSO a quest book -- I'm sure many people visiting here know what I mean!
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at 05:02:47 PM (EST)
You're welcome, Renie! I first saw Sigourney Weaver in "The Year of Living Dangerously"--probably the only performance of Mel Gibson's that I like. ;-)
I did not post the Globe & Mail review of "Snow Cake" because I thought the criticisms were unfounded. The guy found it 'A script that tugs too obviously on the heartstrings'. I disagree absolutely...if it were a Hollywood movie, it definitely would have been more of a tearjerker (as "Ghost" was to "Truly Madly Deeply"), but I found it admirably restrained.
I like Alan's comment "The sense of other people's feelings or taking offence themselves, it just doesn't mean anything to them," he explains. "You can't get upset." Thumbs up!
Slope
Canada - Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at 11:17:36 PM (EST)
I just visited the site RedTango is taking down. I'm not sure it's possible to laugh until your face hurts but I think I did. Possibly three other people on this board know the milkshake song, but I about choked on my tea. I have to commend you Red Tango, that's the funniest thing I've seen all week. Total genius.
On the whole tea episode, I have a feeling that the "American's don't have a clue" comment (flamed about elsewhere) is really a scared-to-death-on-Arsenio, newly-minted-and-stagefrought-on-tv Hollywood defense that dings an older version of the person who said it each time he camels out of Starbucks, Tazo in hand, and will haunt him forever more when people hold him to it, much like bad amateur pole dancing videos on Youtube that follow debutantes down the aisle in Savannah. You just can't shake what's on film. Well actually, sometimes you can. But after a while it's just not what you came for...
RE: The current issue over the Rachael Corrie Play not being owned up to as political... I'd guess the director and cast had to do their best to minimize the heat on the producers who helped make the play happen. If they didn't have a political agenda it never would have been produced in the US, so there's a likely answer to whether anyone believes the PC sound bites they've had to dole out about it.
Renie: Interesting point concerning "neuro-typical" definitions and the research behind it. Would be interested to hear more of your thoughts if you have time as I'm sure a lot of people would. It's a shame the elected experts don't say things this on-target as often as those apologizing for their sudden strokes of brilliance. :) A lot of insight can be gathered from fresh perspectives!
I was interested in the conversation on personality types for just that reason. It shows not how "isms" are cast into the spectrum of "abnormal" development, but instead focuses on how "social" personality traits connect with the spectrum of kids with all different personality preferences. These isms are happening more and more frequently as we get to know them and are typically behaviors we would otherwise tend to box off in quoted social theory had they not become so prevalent as to question whatever is "normal". I'm interested in seeing how the connections and similarities between Aspies join up with other personality development theories to produce a more complete picture of what it is to be human. It's easy to quote cannon, but how does cannon ever get decided? None of my PhD friends got where they were without being able to maintain a civil discourse. But then, even the most pedigreed of the people I speak with still don't claim to be experts. I guess it's what makes them wise ... and fun at shows :)
IDMT
- Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at 10:33:20 PM (EST)
Hi eveyone, I had something kind of coincidental happen to me today that I'd thought I'd share with you. I was doing hair on a new client today and when I asked her what she did for a living she told me she works with highly functioning children with Aspergers! We talked for a bit and I told her about Snow Cake. She knows of the movie and wants to see it. She said she thought not many people knew about this movie. I said, "well, you're talking to a very big Alan Rickman fan". Although, I have not seen any adds for SC here in the states as of yet, though I try not to watch too much TV.
Also, Johanna, If you need some help composing a letter to Mr. Rickman, I'd be happy to help you. Also, I agree with many other people here that have posted on the GB that you should take up writting! I remember that in one of your posts that you said that it was hard to keep a journal because of the Aspergers. I think maybe to approach writting the same way as you approach writting within this guest book. When I think about it, this quest book is kind of like a journal for all of us. Even though much of it is AR related, we are still expressing our thoughts and opinions with each other. Anyway, if you need some help just let me know. I hope you're doing well. Anytime you're feeling sad, tell yourself to smile and... SMILE. Happy Holidays everyone and PEACE to ALL.
CHRISTINE
PORTSMOUTH, - Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at 05:19:36 PM (EST)
Harry Potter and the Chamberpot of Azerbaijan (Full Version) includes Jeremy Irons sending up AR as Snape. The 17 minute spoof was made for the Comic Relief's Red Nose Day 2003 <--Weird date.
Not confirmed but I understand it's to be broadcast at 9pm tonight on BBC1 Northern Ireland (which is available in Northern Ireland itself obviously and on digital tv throughout the UK ), but not on the main BBC1 channel.
Renie
Thanks to Hester and Jude for this info., - Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at 11:54:31 AM (EST)
Thanks, Slope, for all the Snow Cake links and articles.
I keep running into articles and references about autism everywhere, even in the book I'm reading. I'm glad AR does these sorts of films. Although Sigourney Weaver has done a lot of film and television work (in specials and films), I still associate her most with Peter Weir's "The Year of Living Dangerously". (Over 20 years ago--sheesh!)
BTW, Marc Evans did not invent the term neuro-typical, and it doesn't mean people with a "typical" neural lanscape. (Whatever *that* means.) It refers to people whose sense of self is preoccupied with social groups, and acceptance therein. For that reason, their statements are likely to be whatever they sense/believe will be best received--quite the opposite of the manner of autistics. (Those of you with higher knowledge in this area, please forgive this overly simplistic description.)
Renie
- Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at 11:20:15 AM (EST)
Article from Metro:
December 18, 2006
Actor maintained ignorance about autism for Snow Cake
Rickman chose not to research disorder before filming
chris atchison/metro toronto
[photo] Actor Alan Rickman stars in the movie Snow Cake, now in theatres.
Ask a group of people what they know about autism and you'll likely be greeted with a round of shrugs and blank stares, or a wealth of incorrect information.
The causes and effects of the neurological condition -which can take many forms, but typically affects social interaction - are widely misunderstood among the general public and the few that think they know a great deal about it, save those with autistic family members, probably don't.
Emmy Award-winning actor Alan Rickman (Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, Love Actually) placed himself in the autism-ignorant category prior to taking on the role of Alex Hughes in the new film Snow Cake, then purposely chose not to learn about the disorder.
The film follows Hughes after a tragic accident makes him the bearer of bad news which he's forced to deliver to Linda Freeman (Sigourney Weaver), a middle-aged, functional autistic woman living in Wawa, Ont.
"I stayed as ignorant as possible, but that matched my own ignorance," Rickman explains of his lack of research during a recent interview in Toronto. "I suppose the biggest thing that will hit most people is autism, oh yeah, that (affects) children. But those children grow up and what happens to them?"
In the film, a guilt-ridden Hughes decides to stay with Freeman for a time to help her overcome the loss of a loved one, but he extends his stay after entering into a relationship with her next door neighbour Maggie (Canadian star of the Matrix series Carrie-Anne Moss) and begins seeing the world differently with the help of his new autistic acquaintance.
As director Marc Evans explains, Snow Cake writer Angela Pell, who has an autistic son, set out to demonstrate in her script that valuable lessons can be learned from those with developmental disorders.
"There's positive things to say about the way autistic people live in the world," Evans says. "They're not hypocritical in the way they deal with people. There's this degree of honesty that neuro-typical people kind of envy. These are the things (Pell) was really concerned about portraying."
Rickman began to understand that brand of brutal honesty as he took to the set and began learning more about the condition.
"The sense of other people's feelings or taking offence themselves, it just doesn't mean anything to them," he explains. "You can't get upset."
Snow Cake in now playing in theatres.
Click link to see photo
Slope
Canada - Monday, December 18, 2006 at 09:37:54 PM (EST)
Just saw Snow Cake tonight...pleasantly surprised. One of the best opportunities to see Alan's many talents...Sigourney's character was strangely endearing. Nice one!
Slope
Canada - Monday, December 18, 2006 at 12:13:53 AM (EST)
Johanna:
if you want to write about your experiences in the form of fiction, you could do it in the 3d person, and alter a few details (the state where you live perhaps?). Interesting about those physical characteristics you have in common with AR. Yes, maybe they're Irish? He's of course half Irish. It must be sad not to have the "cuddle chemical". On the other hand, to possess it can be a nuisance -- as an adolescent I was horrified of sex, and, as that was the only normal way I could be touched by others, there WAS no "cuddle chemical", and I felt permanently frustrated. The idea that SW might hit AR in SC: was it his? Autists avoiding eye contact (like Linda in SC): a parallel to their noli me tangere attitude? -- I don't think it's strange that people who see the pic of yourself and AR take him for your husband. I might perhaps have imagined him to be a youthful father. Both of you look relaxed together, as if you knew each other well. I know you don't, and I think you felt far from relaxed at that moment, so it's rather uncanny! Somebody contributing to this GB might help you compose a letter to AR, I suppose. -- Thinking in pictures: is that supposed to be typical of autists? I must say I do that a lot. -- I was SHOCKED to read that you have been depressed all your life -- poor girl!!! I, too, certainly hope that your new psychiatrist will be able to help you.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, December 17, 2006 at 03:26:39 PM (EST)
Fans of smolderingly sexy English actors might want to drop by the Hello! poll and give Rufus Sewell a hand.
Hello Monthly Vote
Susan
- Saturday, December 16, 2006 at 02:19:23 PM (EST)
A Happy Chanukah to all the Jewish Rickmaniacs--Nes Gadol Haya Sham!
MA
- Saturday, December 16, 2006 at 08:04:15 AM (EST)
Article from Now magazine:
Sigourney sounds off
Snowcake actor talks about autism, aliens and defending Mel Gibson
By GLENN SUMI
SNOWCAKE directed by Marc Evans, written by Angela Pell, with Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver and Carrie-Ann Moss. An Alliance Atlantis release. 112 minutes. Opens Friday (December 15). For venues and times, see Movies, page 99.
Most film actors seem much smaller in person. Not Sigourney Weaver. When she rises to reveal all 5 feet and 11 inches of her fit, mid-50s self and heartily holds out her hand, it feels more like you're meeting a head of state than a movie star. The patrician style is as carefully groomed and understated; the words as intelligently thought out. Only when she dashes off to the washroom does she reveal a wicked wink of vaudevillian fun unknown to most politicos.
"I need a john break!" she announces, singsong-style, patting her stomach.
Weaver's at the Film Festival promoting Snowcake, the small indie in which she plays an autistic woman living in Wawa, Ontario, whose daughter has just been killed in a car accident. Alan Rickman plays the man who was giving the daughter a lift.
"The movie's not about autism," says Weaver, when I bring up the possibility that the film will be tagged "the Sigourney Weaver autism film," Rain Woman to Dustin Hoffman's Rain Man.
"Autism is part of one of the characters, and it's just presented as a fact. It's not the subject. The subject is really connecting versus not connecting."
She pauses. "In a way, I don't know how you'd sell this film. It's such an original story. The writer, Angela Pell, has a son with autism, and she said living with someone with the condition is heaven and hell. I want people to see the heaven, but I also want them to see what hell is for the person."
As for Hoffman, Weaver graciously admits his performance was brilliant. "But there was a real desire on everyone's part that there should be more depictions out there than just Rain Man."
Weaver did tons of research before filming started, and met lots of autistic people, including Ros Raft, a fully functional autistic living in England. Weaver phoned her many times ("She doesn't sleep," explains the actor) from Wawa with questions.
"She's so insightful, I'd work on other scripts with her," says Weaver. "In the movie, when a woman says to Linda, "I'm so sorry you lost your daughter,' I say, "I didn't lose her, she's dead.' That's straight out of Ros's mouth. It's that logic, unassailable and completely unsentimental."
The key to the character, says Weaver, was finding her inner autistic person. In the film, Linda is enchanted by sparkly objects and putting cakes of snow in her mouth. She craves order and routine and can't stand dealing with garbage.
"I really learned how to play and look around me," says Weaver. "Who's to say that our obsession with the Blackberry is more valuable than their obsession with sparkly things? We think we're accomplishing something, but I'm not sure that's so true."
Casting her as a woman who needs to be in control was a smart move. Nobody communicates power like Weaver. (Don't forget that before Streep strapped on her Prada gear to play the boss from hell, Weaver stepped all over Melanie Griffith's Working Girl.)
Rickman brought the script to her, but the multiple Oscar-nominated actor still had to pursue it.
"I was amazed that people thought of me for this. Most people have no imagination they just want me to play Ripley forever, no matter how many other things I do."
She long ago came to terms with the fact that the Alien movie franchise has made her name yet also possibly limited her range in the industry.
"It's so hard to get an independent film seen and bought. The fact that people know me from those Alien movies helps get distributors around the world. It's the same thing for Alan and the Harry Potter films."
The two worked on the sci-fi comedy Galaxy Quest, a film that's won a cult fan base but wasn't properly marketed. She doesn't hold back about her thoughts on the final product.
"It was even better before they recut it at the last minute to put it up against Stuart Little," she says. "They recut it as a kids' film. There was stuff, especially with Alan, that was very sophisticated and adult, that made it even wittier."
No bullshitter, Weaver was also one of the few people to defend Mel Gibson's character when her former Year Of Living Dangerously co-star broke down.
"I spent months and months with him back then, and I never saw any bigotry. Then again, I didn't know his father. To grow up with a man who doesn't believe in the Holocaust? How could you not have, deep down, some confusion?"
**
SNOWCAKE (Marc Evans)
Rating: NNN
Snowcake offers up the bizarre sight of Sigourney Weaver not only playing an autistic woman, but one who lives in Wawa, Ontario (!).
High-functioning autistic Linda's (Weaver) spirited, nonconformist daughter has been killed in a car accident while hitchhiking; the man who gave her daughter a lift (Alan Rickman) comes to apologize but stays on to help Linda out.
The contrived odd-couple premise draws us in for two reasons: we want to see if sadness or grief can reach Linda, who lives only in the moment and is one helluva neatness freak.
And we want to see if Rickman's icy character (who's also carrying tons of baggage) can melt.
Weaver, one of cinema's strongest onscreen presences, is eerily effective, without relying on Rain Man-nerisms, while it's good to see cold fish Rickman generate some heat as a quasi-romantic lead.
Snowcake is worth seeing for the two stars and for the wonderful, imaginative Scrabble scene. But the sections involving a fun-loving neighbour (Carrie-Anne Moss) are underdeveloped.
Click here to go to the article and listen to the sound bytes
Slope
Canada - Friday, December 15, 2006 at 06:21:14 PM (EST)
I think that Mr. Rickman was talking about the days when he was required to be naked and do sex scenes in movies-not many sixty year old actors are cast in that sort of thing, but he definitely still "has it going on". No doubt in his personal life too. LOL
ACC
- Friday, December 15, 2006 at 03:29:40 AM (EST)
I'm sad to say that RedTango is closing her Rickman galleries website on Dec. 31st, so save what you like from all the goodies before then. http://alanrickmangallery.com/?cr=1&rfm=y
Susan
- Thursday, December 14, 2006 at 11:55:55 PM (EST)
Article from Canoe:
December 14, 2006
'Snowcake' blessing for Alan Rickman
By BRUCE KIRKLAND -- Toronto Sun
What a surprise! For Alan Rickman, the crusty, urbane and sublimely talented English actor, getting sent to Wawa, Ontario, was a pleasure, not a curse.
"I just thought, 'Whoa, what an adventure!' " the 60-year-old Rickman enthuses in a recent Toronto visit. Rickman, who was born in Hammersmith, London, of Irish and Welsh parents immediately after World War II, had never heard of the Northern Ontario town of Wawa. But he thought it sounded like a unique opportunity when the film Snowcake became a British-Canadian co-production and Wawa, with its giant Canada Goose, became the location for the story.
"You have to go somewhere and I like working in small communities, (although) I feel guilty, a bit, because films tend to colonize where they are."
Some filmmakers are arrogant, he admits, citing absurd examples: "Cut those six trees down, they're ruining our eyeline. Does that house have to be there? Kill that person!"
But the Snowcake shoot under Welsh director Marc Evans, with his Galaxy Quest pal Sigourney Weaver and Canadian Carrie-Anne Moss as co-stars, turned out to be a blessing. In Wawa, no trees were cut, no houses removed and no citizens killed. The biggest problem was not enough snow in early April, but locals even hoarded snow in their garages, out of the sun's gaze, for the filmmakers to use on set.
"In this case, I think it was a very happy coming-together," says Rickman. "And you're not making some crazy action movie in a town; you're actually making a film about a small-town community. I like the middle of nowhere. It's very focusing and everybody's energies get concentrated. You're really thinking about the work and it's good to get away."
The cast and crew stayed in chalets at the Wawa Motor Inn. "That hotel, along that line of chalets, is where Glenn Gould used to come to get away from it all," Rickman says of the now legendary and eccentric Toronto pianist who once revolutionized classical music. "It's got mystery."
The movie Snowcake has mystery, too, an inner power that glows from its central characters: an autistic adult (Weaver), her feisty neighbour (Moss) and a stranger (Rickman) who arrives in town because of a terrible tragedy.
Rickman was the first to sign on when he read British writer Angela Pell's screenplay. Pell has experience with autism, through her 10-year-old son. Snowcake transforms Pell's reality into a moving fiction about adult autism.
It was so powerful, and such beautiful writing, he could not resist, Rickman says.
"You leap at it. It's like water on a desert, in the refreshing sense that her imagination is so open and that she writes something that is so uncircumscribed.
"It was hard to get it done for all sorts of practical and, obviously, financial reasons. So there is a very real sense of achievement that, at a certain point in one's working life, if you really roll up your sleeves, you walk into the unknown, and you get on with it.
"We got on with it. We did it and it's there and I think everybody involved with it is proud of it."
Rickman has a surprising answer to the "Why this story?" question: "Because the world's come off its hinges. And, unless we can fight hard to tell stories that, on some level, are saying: 'This is who we were, this is who we've become, this is who we could be, this is what we shouldn't be!' ... "
Rickman does not complete the "unless" part of his sentence. Instead, he re-frames his answer: "We tell stories about each other to each other. That's all I am. I'm part of a storytelling chain. I'm an element in that, as an actor and sometimes as a director.
"Otherwise, I don't have a function. Otherwise, it's just showing off or selling clothes and magazines. And that's fiddling while Rome burns -- and Rome is burning!"
'Snowcake' blessing for Alan Rickman
Slope
Canada - Thursday, December 14, 2006 at 07:01:21 PM (EST)
Julia: Ahhh, thanks for the info on 7up. For all these internet-related topics of free speech and privacy, you can barely scratch the surface of modern times to find all kinds of parallels done before. It's interesting to see how sudden exposure to mass media probably changed the lives of the children involved. Talk about stage fright. What if we were all told growing up that the whole world was watching? How does that fundamentally change a developing person? (...like the internet generation.)
Sheffe: I like wikipedia a lot too. Agreed court tv is pretty sensationalist, but a lot of times urban legend and old wives tales are based on something or other that does (at the time) make sense to the people recording it. It's funny that people bluff through the facts in one-way article posts, but you stick an obscure community-written database online like a wiki and the most truthful answers immege from exploiting the basic human need to debate and argue. Questioning is essential, I guess. I don't know. I've never been to London, so I have no point of reference on what could be true there.
everybody on a mac: It probably wasn't you (or your mac), more likely it's the enormous amount of traffic this site gets and floods to any other site that gets linked.
johanna: good luck with the writing! If the books ever do you any good that's better than me chucking them in a landfill. The Forest for the Trees book I read one night when I'd missed the last train out of the city and wound up guided by homeless people from drug store to fast food joint in search of warm air. You can read a lot in five hours sitting on a plastic bench with two old ladies and an indian guy named Joe.
pia susanna: You know, I don't know *WHAT* he's implying, but ever since I said I was an 85 year old named Hank on my hotmail account I get nothing but little blue pill ads all day long. Most health insurance plans pay for them. I've already told my S/O he's getting them crushed in his apple sauce when we get old. I will know when it's time... he needn't. I learned it watching Elizabeth Dole...
IDMT
NYC, - Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at 11:43:23 PM (EST)
Suzanne, I have now watched and enjoyed the Movie Entertainment interview. Many thanks! I had some problems to begin with -- there was no sound at first, then I could only see the second half of the video. Now everything works. I thought AR looked a bit more relaxed here than in the 'Hour' conversation, perhaps because the ME interviewer is a woman. What he says about SC is quite intriguing. And what marvellous eyes, so expressive! I believe, though, he has put on some weight since summer. Maybe the local specialties in Canada tempt him too much, as seems clear from the article also posted here recently (on buttered tarts and suchlike). Do you really think he seriously used to believe those days of romance/sex were over??
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at 09:13:27 AM (EST)
Thanks Glowbox, I made my entry for the Boston Tickets. Also, thanks to all who encouraged me to write to him. I did write to him as well as Megan Dodds. I mostly talked about MNIRC and gave praise for presenting MNIRC so creativy and respectfully, I also apologized to him for my extreme nervousness that night. I had a chance to see MNIRC again on December 3rd wih my Husband. I'm so glad I saw it a second time. We had front row seats and I was able to see Rachel's collage up close much better too. Keri Bishe was the actor for that night and she did a fantastic job. She evoked a lot of emotion into her performance. I had tears in my eyes, as well as others around me. My husband was very glad that he was able to see MNIRC too. I highly encourage anyone who has a chance to see it this last remaining week, to go and see it. AR wasn't there, he was probably on his way back to London by then. At least I was able to meet him and hand him a book in October. I wonder if he read it or if he plans too?
CHRISTINE
PORTSMOUTH, - Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at 08:36:14 AM (EST)
"Perfume" tickets for Boston fans: Giveaway
Glowbox
France - Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at 01:28:01 AM (EST)
Hi all...just saw a tv commercial for Snowcake, which opens in Toronto this Friday... ;-)
Slope
Canada - Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 09:40:51 PM (EST)
Article from the National Post:
They came for goose, but Stayed For Buttered Tarts; Snowcake
Chris Knight
National Post
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
(photo) CREDIT: Brent Foster, National Post Wawa, Ont., casts no shadow on Alan Rickman; in fact, the actor took a shining to the small town's "seriously good hamburgers."
Like an army, a film crew travels on its stomach, and by all accounts the making of Snow Cake in Wawa, Ont., was very good to the stomachs of all involved. In separate interviews at the Toronto International Film Festival, where the movie had its Canadian premiere in September, actress Sigourney Weaver and director Marc Evans raved about the quality of the food to be found at J.D.D.'s Diner, a gas-pump-and-eatery about 30 kilometres outside the small town on the northeast shore of Lake Superior.
(The film also makes use of Wawa's nine-metre statue of a Canada Goose. Weaver said she laughs when people ask why the filmmakers built a huge goose for the movie. "It's just there," she says.)
Back in Toronto two weeks ago to promote the film, which opens Friday, Alan Rickman was still going on about "the seriously good hamburgers, amazing pies and the buttered tarts" --a Canadian delicacy he'd never encountered before. Asked if there was anything the London-born actor missed, filming 1,000 km up the Trans- Canada from Toronto, Rickman said no. At night he would retire to his room at the Wawa Motor Inn, "make a log fire, eat incredibly fattening food and watch TV."
Snow Cake, an odd but entrancing little movie, features Rickman as an Englishman taking a long drive through Northern Ontario (Timmins and Winnipeg looked closer on the map; an easy mistake). He is thrown together with Linda, a high-functioning autistic woman (Weaver) who has just lost her daughter. Reluctantly putting his trip on hold to help her out, Rickman finds himself drawn to Linda's neighbour (Carrie-Anne Moss), who offers Darjeeling tea and a come-hither look.
Rickman and Weaver are good friends, having worked together in 1999's Galaxy Quest, as well as through Weaver's husband, Jim Simpson, who runs New York's Flea Theater. But Rickman says knowing his co-star so well helped him act opposite Weaver as- autistic. "You trust each other and therefore you take risks," he said. "It makes the job easier rather than more difficult."
For her part, Weaver said, "I always wanted Alan to know I was there for him even though Linda's in her own world." Her character seldom makes eye contact and has little interest in the people around her, even those she relies on for help.
Good eats aside, Weaver said working on location and far from family and friends in Wawa helped her get into character. "I did keep one foot in it at all times," she said, to the point where she had to purge herself of some of Linda's quirky habits after the film wrapped. (The character has eclectic musical tastes and a crowlike fondness for sparkly things.)
"Living with someone with autism is heaven and hell," said the actress, who spent time with autistic women as part of her research. (First-time screenwriter Angela Pell also has a eight-year old son with autism.) "I want the audience to feel the heaven of being with someone because they're so much fun and original and they play a lot, but also to show that it can be hell."
Both Rickman and Weaver said the town (population 4,000) was delighted to have a film crew with them. Weaver said they went so far as to save snow in their garages when the weather turned warm just before production began, for which she was most grateful. "What if I'd had to imagine all the snow that would be added in later?"
Rickman called the experience of shooting in a small town "very levelling. You become part of their lives; they become part of yours." (As do their pastries.) He also noted, "I found it incredibly encouraging that here was a part that didn't have a label round its neck." Rickman's character is at first a reluctant participant in Linda's life. "He has to become a doer."
Rickman, who turned 60 this year, appears next in the thriller Perfume (based on the novel by Patrick Suskind), which opens next month. He's also making his fifth turn as professor Severus Snape in the next Harry Potter movie, opening in July. But since coming to the attention of North American audiences as villain Hans Gruber in 1988's Die Hard, Rickman's roles have been a smorgasbord, including an avenging angel in Kevin Smith's Dogma, a ghost in Truly, Madly, Deeply, a bumpy-headed alien in Galaxy Quest and several costumed roles in period dramas. He never knows who he'll get recognized as next, although he's safe from Potter fans "unless I go out wearing a big black wig."
At the customs desk entering Canada, Rickman said the agent brought up one of his lesser known roles as a heart surgeon opposite Mos Def in the HBO movie Something the Lord Made. "Anything that registers or where they find a personal connection," he said, is fine with him. "I?m just glad they're watching."
- Snow Cake opens this Friday.
Click for article and photo
Slope
Canada - Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 06:41:17 PM (EST)
Ali-Pat, I'm not sure I meant for that to sound quite as brutal as it looks! Maybe just some caution--Rickmaniacs could rent the movie (Netflix has it) and decide before buying. (Then you could choose, say ROTN, instead....*snickers*)
Watching The Hour (who me?), I liked that during the VO of "one of the sexiest men" they cut to a clip of Hans (A+ folks) . . . but this pairing is slightly unexpected:
Voiceover: "Of course, one of the best villains, too."
Harry: "I can't believe you still listen to Joni Mitchell."
Perhaps a woman provided the VO copy to match the video piece?
This year's Love Actually is The Holiday, with Jude Law (and Rufus Sewell) close-ups galore. No complaints there, but don't expect the story to be believable. I couldn't help but remember as I was watching that Jude Law was the real life Harry.
As the holidays are upon us, I wish everyone happiness and good cheer.
Renie
- Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 12:26:14 PM (EST)
Renie--LOL! What a review! I agree that Help! I'm a Fish/A Fish Tale is not as entertaining as, say, Finding Nemo, but it has its moments. I especially love the part where Joe drinks the potion that allows him to talk. The noises and sputterings that AR makes in transition always make me laugh. And I must admit, I have grown rather fond of the soundtrack. Unfortunately, my favorite song (the one the sharks sing) ended up being cut from the film. And of course there is that wonderful "Intelligence" song that belongs to AR alone. If you want a hint of how the singing judge in Sweeney Todd might sound, listen to that song.
Happy holidays, everybody!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Monday, December 11, 2006 at 09:23:06 AM (EST)
No, I don't have a Mac, but a PC, Suzanne! I'll try to watch the Movie Entertainment piece as well. You're probably right about AR's not wanting to be typecast. It's understandable -- who likes to be pigeon-holed?
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, December 11, 2006 at 07:10:12 AM (EST)
Ali-Pat, not long ago I watched A Fish Tale--more like suffered through it--I found it nearly impossible to stick with, let alone like or enjoy. I suppose these days it's easy to demand more of an animated film. The music was beyond annoying (sorry!), and my kids used the words "horrible" and "terrible" when the DVD had ended. Ouch!
Suzanne, I did downloard the The Hour wmv--but only the audio would play for me. I firmly believe this to be my particular computer's fault, and perhaps that wmv file might work on a different Mac belonging to anyone else. So again, many thanks for the QT mov.
Did we know this? "Snowcake is available to buy on DVD from 5th February 2007, RRP £15.99." Is it going straight to video without a proper commercial run in theaters?
Renie
- Sunday, December 10, 2006 at 11:17:56 PM (EST)
Susan: Cheers! I thought it was the Jesuits, but it seemed like such a Rousseau thing to say!
Julia
Canada - Sunday, December 10, 2006 at 03:08:43 PM (EST)
Ahhhhhhhhhhh, Suzanne! Thank you SO much for hosting that HUGE mov file! Yes, it loaded and played beautifully. I was unable to reply before this moment as I was on the FLOOR after watching said video. How is it that no one else has commented about his finger play? *embarrasssing noises* I get tickled just thinking about it again, and watching him twirl those digits about on his lap and together against one another. . . ok, as you can see, his h*ndiwork has rather a, shall we say, *strong* effect . . .
Renie
I shall certainly have to have a post next door to . . . let off some . . . energy., - Sunday, December 10, 2006 at 02:34:43 PM (EST)
Ha! I was doing a search for Snow Cake US distributors, release dates, etc. and found the Movie Entertainment interview which I assume aired yesterday in Canada (did anyone see and/or record it?), up and running at Sympatico msn Video! It's fantastic and over six minutes long. He talked mostly about SC (some very interesting and funny bits), but also a little about Perfume and Nobel Son.
And again, I know some of you have trouble with streaming video or just like to save the files on your computer (all the better to play over and over again!), so I captured and uploaded the video to my server:
Movie Entertainment Interview (Movie-Entertainment-12-9-06.wmv, 40.6MB, 6 min, 23 sec)
Completely my pleasure, Pia Susanna. :-) Do you use a Mac, too? I hope you'll be able to watch this one, also. Though it is a Windows Media file (and I ask again, can Mac users play those?).
Yes, Lynn, please post the SC dates for Ottawa, thank you!
Ali-Pat, thanks for the DVD info for A Fish Tale! If anyone buys the DVD, please let us know about the extras.
I don't think AR dislikes playing villains per say, he just doesn't want to be typecast as one. Just MHO. :-)
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Sunday, December 10, 2006 at 01:13:38 PM (EST)
This is not my discovery, but I thought I would share it with you all. The animated film Help! I'm a Fish! in which AR does the voice of the evil fish, Joe, and gets to sing the song, "Intelligence", has been released in Region 1 format under the unimaginative title of A Fish Tale. You can learn more about it on Amazon , (and other online sources, I'm sure). Hope it includes all the juicy extras that the Region 2 one did.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Sunday, December 10, 2006 at 08:47:46 AM (EST)
Apted quotes the Jesuit maxim: "Give me the child until he is seven, and I will show you the man," but I think the Jesuits were stating a belief, not raising a question.
AR is playing the Judge; JD is playing ST.
Susan
- Sunday, December 10, 2006 at 04:40:02 AM (EST)
IMDT: 7 Up was a groundbreaking BBC documentary series that tracked children from the ages of 7 every seven years. The most recent installment recently aired on television. The concept was based on Rousseau's quote, "show me a seven-year old child, and I will show you the man." (I think it was Rousseau, and I think that was the qoute... The Jesuits also come to mind, but I've been thinking about the a lot lately.) It was meant to investigate whether this was true - nature/nurture, in other words.
Re: Sweeney Todd: Do we know for certain that Rickman will play Todd? Or will Johnny Depp get the leading role, as per the usual practice for Tim Burton films?
Julia
Canada - Saturday, December 09, 2006 at 11:49:57 PM (EST)
Dear Johanna,
Rocking as an adult seems to have a lot to do with the degree of upset the person is and how expressive of grief one's culture allows one to be.
Th's can be difficult. I still tend to pronounce mine as d's, a bit. My daughter still has trouble with a lot of sounds and as a result speaks much more slowly than she thinks!
If you get a chance to write a biography like that I think it would be wonderful.
I'm glad you say you did not mix your meds. I said Not to do it because I was wondering what was in your system already when you took the Xanax! I really hope this new psychiatrist can be some help. It sounds promising. It's so unfair to have to live in constant depression--I hope for all the best for you.
Dear Pia Susanna,
As to the humor of "Sweeney..." being similar to the humor of "Little Shop..." I'd say it's in the same vein.
(time for everyone to groan)
AR must not mind playing baddies too much yet, because this judge is a right nasty piece of work.
Dear IDMT,
Glad you didn't blow away! There actually was a tornado touch-down last week here in Pennsylvania. That was awful, but fortunately it was a fairly weak tornado.
You should check the entry for Sweeney Todd in Wikipedia. They note that several researchers who tried to verify Haining's references could not locate the things Haining said were there.
The CourtTV article seems to have a photograph of Sweeney Todd's shop. Perhaps it's a remarkably good etching, as a photograph of anything contemporary with ST would not be possible. If he existed he died before the invention of cameras.
The article also gleefully mentiond that Thomas Peckett (or Preskett) Prest might have eaten Mrs. Lovett's meat pies! The probable birth and death dates, 1810-1859, for Mr. Prest would make that impossible too.
Detailed and interesting as it is, I think we have to take the article with a grain of salt, and say the possibility exists that Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett did not exist. I thought it howlingly wonderful that the author quoted Prest as some kind of authority when he was not a contemporary and when the man specialized in writing penny dreadfuls! If he really is the author of Varney the Vampire, he had a wonderfully lurid and fertile imagination, and was perfectly capable of churning out weeks and months worth of pure fiction. His String of Pearls story need not have the slightest truth in it.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA USA - Saturday, December 09, 2006 at 07:13:17 PM (EST)
Hi there , i hope this works this time as i'm having problems adding to the guestbook.
I just wanted to let you know that there are dates for Snow Cake showing in Ottawa this month. if you would like them just let me know. I also saw the 2 posters for Snow Cake and Parfume in the South Keys theatre last night. so it will be coming soon to there.
I just finished watching Blow Dry, wow what a fab movie. I just love watching it and seeing Alan in the bathtub , hummmmmmmm love that scene. ;-) take care all. LYNN
lynn <pyewacket003@aol.comfoo>
Ottawa, Canada - Saturday, December 09, 2006 at 05:33:40 PM (EST)
pia susanna, I'm not sure how I would write about my life in the form of fiction. There's a publishing group called Future Horizon's that specializes in books on autism. There are a few books written by those with autism about growing up and living with autism including Temple Gradin who was the first to write about her life in "Thinking in Pictures". I think there's a bigger market now about what it's like to have autism with so many more kids being diagnosed especially with Asperger's. There's a mother with a 9-year-old son who was diagnosed with Asperger's earlier this year who emails me to try to understand her son better so she can help him. I don't why I feel comfortable with the few people that I do as opposed to others. I don't think most people think about the texture of AR's clothes unless you are really touch sensitive. The other thing I noticed is his suit jackets fit his shoulders really well following the curve more. Most jackets have the sleeve joining the body as a corner that can get pinched or stick out. Most people don't have square shoulders. I only notice because I have rather small, rounded shoulders that straps slip off of constantly. I think in my photo with him you can see we have similarly shaped shoulders. My lips are in a cupid's bow shape like his as well. I take after the Irish in my family. My dislike of being touched is an autistic thing. Maybe I should design a shirt that says, "It's an autistic thing." I'm just hypersensitive to touch and when most people touch me it makes me feel anxious instead of calm even if it's a friendly, gentle touch. There are very few people that don't make me feel anxious when they touch me. I think my brain doesn't release in most instances the chemical nicknamed the "cuddle chemical" that makes touching feel good. I have no problem with being touched by animals. I think I read that AR suggested he try to help SW cross the street in SC and when he took her arm, she hit him. Obviously she did not feel comfortable being touched by him because of the autism. My sister has the photo of AR and me in her office and people keep asking her if he's my husband. I don't know when I'm going to be able to write him; I haven't gotten around to it since I've seen PL. Writing letters is very difficult for me because of the Asperger's and I don't know how to begin the letter. I haven't been able to get someone to help me with it.
Sheffe, from my observations it's more common for children to rock when upset than adults. There was just something about the way AR did it and I wish I could explain it. I still have problems pronouncing "th" at the beginning and end of words. I think a biography focusing on growing up with Asperger's and depression would be good. All the meds I have don't work so I don't think mixing them will make them work better. I'm hoping my new psychiatrist can find a med that works for me.
IDMT, I'm trying to hang in there but I just don't really care anymore. I've been depressed my whole life and don't remember ever not being depressed. I feel just like I did when I was 10 and back then people didn't believe you could be clinically depressed at such a young age. Most 10 year olds don't think about not wanting to live. Yes, I tried to tell my parents but was met with you're just at that awful age, you're too sensitive, and my personal favorite, but you're so smart. I still haven't figured out what being smart has to do with not having depression. I only got diagnosed at 16 because I was failing school. I've been depressed for 30 years now and I'm not looking forward to having debilitating depression for another 30 years because no one can find something that works. People have tried to get me to start writing in a journal before but it's almost impossible for me to do because of the Asperger's. My brain just doesn't work that way. It's taken me years to get to be able to express myself as well as I do now. Really my aim would be to write something that can help other people. Getting published would be a long-term goal anyway. I could always just publish it on the internet. Oh, it's Asperger's with a "p" and not Asberger's with a "b". I got the 2 books you sent me a few days ago. I'll look through them when I'm feeling better. I see my new psychiatrist who works at a research facility and has actually worked with autistic patients unlike everyone else I've seen next week and I think he'll be able to finally find something that works.
Johanna <joschroth@gmail.comfoo>
Baton Rouge, LA - Saturday, December 09, 2006 at 08:55:34 AM (EST)
Dear Suzanne, greatly beloved and respected webmistress, many thanks for the QuickTime link! At last I managed to see the 'Hour' interview. I enjoyed it, with the rather enthusiastic young George who asked the questions. Quite nice clips too, though brief. I agree with somebody who said, in this GB,that AR seems so nice as himself, relaxed and humble. Seeing 'Hamlet' as funny was a startling idea, but I've always found it amusing that the King and Queen seem to mix up Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Or he does, and she corrects him. Also the readers/spectators tend to mix up R and G, of course. -- I didn't mind AR on politics; he's quite right about how parliaments in Europe, including Britain, have this strong middle-of-the road tendency -- his pincer movement. I see it as very unfortunate, though there are of course exceptions, as in the Dutch elections recently. In many places there are extreme right-wing or left-wing extra-parliamentary groups, a perhaps inevitable result of the lack of variation and alternatives in the parliaments. The right-wingers could, IMHO, become extremely dangerous, if encouraged. -- I'm almost glad that AR is back in Britain (sorry, everybody who lives elsewhere!), for I feel this is where he belongs. -- I never saw 'Sweeney Todd', but it seems to be gruesome and funny in a way similar to that of 'Little Shop of Horrors'. If AR's character is another OTT villain, as somebody mentioned here, does that mean that AR doesn't mind playing baddies any longer??
pia susanna
edinburgh (wet, windy), scotland - Saturday, December 09, 2006 at 08:32:24 AM (EST)
You know that's a good point and I'm not sure about the judge or any of the side characters the article mentions aside from Lovett. I was very young when I saw it and only remember it made me laugh. But the article on actual facts of the case and the plays sketches it out.
It's a full synopsis near the end, but perhaps the play has been re-written several times since the '80's Broadway version aired. I had no idea Sweeney Todd was based on actual events and kept in plays and novel form for two hundred years.
We had a tornado watch in New York as well this week. Wind was brutal today.
Completely off topic: has anyone from the UK ever seen the show 7 UP? Was at a panel discussion and someone used it in a presentation... anyone remember it?
IDMT
- Saturday, December 09, 2006 at 04:21:45 AM (EST)
It's okay, Glowbox, you just forgot the equal sign (=) after href Link fixed. :-) Thanks for the article!
That is a very interesting article, IDMT, thanks! I just know I saw Sweeney Todd a year or two ago somewhere,... probably on TV, because I remember the music. And the meat pies selling like hot-cakes. But I don't remember the Judge......
Amy, thank you for the Snow Cake screening info! I see they're also going to have an Autism discussion one hour before the movie.
Renie? :-)
Christine, I'm so glad you were finally able to watch and enjoy the interview. I like George, the interviewer, also. He didn't ask the same old questions and he seemed to like RH:PoT a lot (my favorite). Perhaps because the Sheriff has the same first name? *grin*
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Saturday, December 09, 2006 at 01:51:17 AM (EST)
There's an interesting article on the history of Sweeney Todd and the evolution of the plays about him here:
http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/weird/todd/index_1.html
The Judge's character wants Todd's wife and sends him to prison to get him out of the way. But Todd finds when he is returned that the Judge has instead driven his wife insane and adopted his daughter out of guilt. That's the outline of the Broadway story.
It's worth noting if you ever saw Depp in the last Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that he and Burton (and Rickman if they foster his comedic side and feed him enough gunpowder and koolaid) will come up with even more black comedy. Depp and Rickman sound like a good match for this kind of experiment.
Burton is probably one of the most patient directors on the planet. 5 years on that last stop action film.
IDMT
NYC, - Saturday, December 09, 2006 at 12:51:16 AM (EST)
It worked! Thanks Suzanne.
Amy
- Friday, December 08, 2006 at 11:38:31 PM (EST)
Judge Turpin, eh? Definitely a juicy villianous role.
I don't know about the U.S. release for Snowcake but it will play at the James Bridges Theater(trying link without "") in Los Angeles on Tuesday Dec 12. It's free to the public. Anybody in that area?
Amy
- Friday, December 08, 2006 at 11:36:48 PM (EST)
Suzanne It worked!! thank you for your links to the interview. I was able to see it (finally) through Quicktime. I havn't a clue as to why I wasn't able to through the Hour's website. I'm not one for computers much. I don't like to fuss, I just like it to work. Although I need to make some upgrades. What a great interview though. He seems so genuinly nice as himself. Very sweet. Thanks again
Christine
CHRISTINE
PORTSMOUTH, - Friday, December 08, 2006 at 10:43:08 PM (EST)
Nope, that didn't work either - I'll just give you the url: http://www.movieweb.com/news/61/16261.php
Glowbox
France - Friday, December 08, 2006 at 05:47:39 PM (EST)
Here's the lowdown on Sweeney Todd: Barbershop Duet
Glowbox
France - Friday, December 08, 2006 at 05:43:53 PM (EST)
Ah, what a fantastic interview! Great news about AR and Johnny Depp working together. And singing a duet. That'll be... interesting. :-)
Thanks, Teresa, for your wonderful instructions on how to find video files on our computers! I bet the interview was amazing on your big-screen TV. It's a shame your VCR didn't work. So did anyone happen to record the show? If so, please e-mail me.
Cheryl, thank you so much for the Canadian interview news! If anyone is able to record it, again, please e-mail me. Thanks!
I know a lot of you have trouble with streaming video, so if you couldn't get the video to play all the way through (or couldn't find it in your cashe), here are the two versions you can download:
Windows Media (TheHour-CBC-11-30-06.wmv, 28.9MB, 15 min, 24 sec)
QuickTime TheHour-CBC-11-30-06.mov, 42.3MB, 15 min, 24 sec)
Hi, Renie! :-) I know the files are huge, but I hope you'll be able to get at least one of them too work. And Christine, two. Can Mac users play Windows Media files?
And thanks to CatsPlay for the longer edited version without the dead space, and Beth for the link!
By the way, I'm sorry that some of your links are not working. It's not your falt, you all followed the instructions perfectly! But for some reason, the GB sometimes adds the Guestbook URL to the beginning of links. I think Johanna is right in that it does this whenever the URL is longer than one line. But I noticed that it even does that sometimes with short links. I don't know why it started doing this. So if you get the dreaded "page not found" error, just go to the address bar on your browser and delete the GB URL and quotes ("). I've been doing a bit of experimenting by leaving the quotes off when posting links and it seems to be working great! So, I want you guys to try it: contrary to what the instructions say, leave the quotes (") off of each end of the URL when making a link. And if it works for you too, I'll change the instructions.
Oh, and Renie, thanks for the Playbill link! The line that caught my eye was, "Seattle Repertory Theatre has already scheduled the play for March 15-April 22, 2007" Coming your way, Georgiana. :-) Thanks BTW, G, for all the articles on the News Page! Here are two more articles about MNiRC closing:
'Corrie' sets closing date - Producers are touting upcoming stagings in U.S. and internationally from Variety.com
'Rachel Corrie' to Close Dec. 17; More Productions Planned from broadwaywold.com
Amy, the photos from the Perfume after party are super, thank you (and Alexandra, too!)!
And thank you, Glowbox, for the AIDS testing link. I received two more links from Viola (thank you!):
Celebrities, Politicians, Educators and Students Come Together to be Tested for HIV in Solidarity on World AIDS Day; Screen Star Alan Rickman Shows Support and
Standing up to AIDS
And two photos from the event from Diane (thank you!):
AR & Dignitas International President Dr. James Orbinski
DIGNITAS INTERNATIONAL - World AIDS Day - group photo
Aurora, thanks for the charity drive info. Worthy cause, indeed! And I'm sure RADA will be looking forward to our help again this year, as well. There are so many wonderful causes out there and AR is the best inspiration for us to be generous.
mwbashful18, about Snow Cake's US release, I've been wondering the same thing. And then I received an e-mail from Steve, who wrote the Weinstein Company, asking about the release date, and the shocking reply was that they never heard of the film! So now I'm nervous, too. And I haven't seen it listed on any of the "Holiday Film" lists. Is the Weinstein Company distributing it in the US or not? If anybody knows anything, please let us know!
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Friday, December 08, 2006 at 12:48:18 AM (EST)
Hi guys-thanks ever so much for all the AR information and links and the fantastic pics. He is getting better with age-isnt he??
I hope all the Londonders are okay as I heard on the news that a tornando touched down (in all places) London!! I assume AR is okay too.
Best wishes to you all for a merry christmas and ahappy hanukah..
Peace and love to all-Pam
Pam
MA - Thursday, December 07, 2006 at 09:53:23 PM (EST)
In London? Teri Hart is interviewing him here on The Movie Network this Saturday. I tell ya, teh man can fly! Or maybe it was taped when he was here. At any rate,
here are the details
Cheryl
Canada - Thursday, December 07, 2006 at 06:41:51 PM (EST)
The guestbook address was added to your link. Just delete that part and it should work fine.
Nice pics. Thanks for the links.
lurker
- Thursday, December 07, 2006 at 06:06:04 PM (EST)
hhmmm. My links don't work. What did I do wrong?
Amy
- Thursday, December 07, 2006 at 09:36:37 AM (EST)
Alan's back in London! At the premiere of "Perfume" a day before yesterday along with Tim Burton, his new director. wireimage has a few photos. But
Alexandra has the photos ENLARGED and without watermarks.
Amy
- Thursday, December 07, 2006 at 09:32:28 AM (EST)
Hi all, great interview from The Hour. I do admit, funny that he got a little political again, but nevertheless an interesting chat. I like that he said things are running smoothly with HP but I think the comment about the Trio being the main focus and everyone else has their spoonfuls later is kinda him basically frustrated about lack o' screen time. It's coming in Movie 6, though, especially if Cuaron is directing, which we're due to find out the truth to this month I hear. Furthermore, LOVE the Sweeney Todd announcement. For those who don't know anything about the musical, he'll be playing one HELL of a vile villain, on par with the Sheriff or the Interrogator from Closet Land! Anyhoo, big question!: Can anyone confirm that Snow Cake is still going to be released in the US on Christmas Day? I really hope it will be but I'm getting nervous. Thanks!
mwbashful18
USA - Wednesday, December 06, 2006 at 09:39:50 PM (EST)
From Playbill
"The controversial play My Name Is Rachel Corrie will close at the Off-Broadway Minetta Lane Theatre on Dec. 17. It will have played nine previews and 71 regular performances. The play was originally scheduled to close Dec. 30."
Foiled by the huge file. Sorry, Georgiana. I may need to update my QT (and my RealAudio while I'm at it.) Thanks everyone, for the tips.
Renie
- Tuesday, December 05, 2006 at 08:06:26 PM (EST)
If I can download "The Hour" interview on a Mac, anyone should be able to (given how Mac-unfriendly he world seems to be). I am using Netscape. If anyone is using a phone modem, I suggest giving it up and heading for the nearest internet cafe with a faster line. The interview is about half dead space (which as has been said was apparently a commercial break) and a *huge* file (> 40 MB). On a slow line, it would take hours--it is about 8 minutes downloading on a T3. I do not know why people cannot get there from the "The Hour" home page. In the left-hand column is a 'video' link. Clicking that brings one to a "The Hour" page, with a link to "interviews." It is the fourth down in the left-hand column on that page. And, as before, I think the Windows Media version is faulty--it stops after "Lochsley." I get a selection screen asking me to choose between WMV and QuickTime. The QuickTime version is fine.
Georgiana (paranoid? Moi?)
Seattle - Tuesday, December 05, 2006 at 07:24:50 PM (EST)
Posted on the Leaky Cauldron Dec. 4: In honor of AR's 61st birthday, alanrickman.net is holding its annual charity drive. This year's fund drive will benefit Autism Speaks. Last year, the site raised over $1,000 for Save the Children in Mr. Rickman's honor.
A worthy cause, and so is the annual contribution to RADA. It does seem that as we approach the Feb. 21 date, AR fans are supporting a number of causes. May they all do well! :-)
Aurora
- Tuesday, December 05, 2006 at 05:23:02 PM (EST)
OOOPs! It is 20061201_rickman.wmv
Wishing Alan Dreams,
Teresa <t2723ley@yahoo.comfoo>
MI USA - Saturday, December 02, 2006 at 06:24:43 PM (EST)
You don't have to download it, it is on your computer already. You watch it, then go to 'Tools' 'Internet Options' next to the 'Delete' is 'Settings' (browser settings) 'View Files' and it should be in that folder. You'll recognize it because it will say Alan and CBC in the name, and .wmv Just go to 'Edit' 'copy to folder' and choose a folder. Then go to the folder and click on it to play. It is a bit wobbly, because it is stretched out, but it's Alan!!
Wishing Alan Dreams,
Teresa <t2723ley@yahoo.comfoo>
MI USA - Saturday, December 02, 2006 at 06:21:50 PM (EST)
They were his gray, blonde, dark blonde and dark brown. Very few dark brown, his hair is going a more uniform grey where before it was mostly by his ears. I never took my eyes off him, couldn't, he was on my TV!!! LOL. It is a little long in the back, which is just yummy. He was wearing his dark brown shirt, and his pinstriped jacket and his brown loafers. New York couisine must be agreeing with him, he looks good! Wonderfully huggable :) George, the interviewer had one major thing wrong: He said they had talked backstage about Alan's fans, and George was saying their was the Die Hard group and the Truly Madly Deeply Group and the Harry Potter group and the Robin Hood group, etc. I was shouting at the TV: "Nooo there is only ONE group!! No matter how we come to Alan we are all "ALAN FANS!!" LOL! George seemed to really like the movie "George, Sherriff of Nottingham" (my title,lol) He kept mentioning it :) I will try to send a link to the page with the video
Wishing Alan Dreams,
Teresa <t2723ley@yahoo.comfoo>
MI USA - Saturday, December 02, 2006 at 06:11:14 PM (EST)
Teresa (again): I was told that the "Hour" interview wasn't meant to be downloaded, just streamed.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Saturday, December 02, 2006 at 05:48:44 PM (EST)
Glowbox: AR always supports good causes! -- Beth: I can't use your link, I'm afraid; my computer simply replies "Page not found". -- Georgiana: Your link doesn't work for me either: I get back to the "Hour" homepage (I think it must be) where I've already been. Can't go on from there. -- Teresa: 4 colours?! Which ones?
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Saturday, December 02, 2006 at 05:44:08 PM (EST)
I am soo glad the interviewer asked intelligent questions. I could view the video on the website, I have IE and an updated WMP, perhaps you need to upgrade. The new upgrade was just released. Soo much better big in person on the tv, lol.
Wishing Alan Dreams,
Teresa
Teresa <t2723ley@yahoo.comfoo>
MI USA - Saturday, December 02, 2006 at 12:58:45 PM (EST)
I watched him on my big screen tv last night! He looked good! He said certain words differently than when he is acting, it was soo interesting to see him practically in person, real life Alan speaking normally (well, on his best behaviour). He is soo handsome! His hair was about four different colors, soo adorable! I tried to record it, but upon playback, I got snow! Such a heartbreak!
Wishing Alan Dreams,
Teresa <t2723ley@yahoo.comfoo>
MI USA - Saturday, December 02, 2006 at 12:30:02 PM (EST)
I'm on a Mac too! And, yes, I can't view the interview either. Sounds like it was a good one too. I wish I could see it!
Christine
CHRISTINE
PORTSMOUTH, - Saturday, December 02, 2006 at 06:34:26 AM (EST)
Of course, I'm on a Mac....
If you've got it send it to me, G.
Renie
- Saturday, December 02, 2006 at 12:31:36 AM (EST)
Oops! I forgot. The URL for "The Hour" is:
http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/
Or try this link (if I remember how to make them): "The Hour." If it's been moved off the front page, the link to 'video' on the front page, then to 'interviews' on the video page should get you there.
Georgiana
Seattle - Saturday, December 02, 2006 at 12:13:17 AM (EST)
Renie, are you using a Mac? I am, and the Windows Media version of "The Hour" interview would not run past "Lochsley" in any of three browsers. The first time I tried QuickTime (a Mac/Apple application), I got an error message from Netscape. Then after fooling around with the Windows version, I tried QT again. It took quite a while to download (over a T3 line--seemed like close to 2 minutes)--it's a 41.3 MB file. But it finally did, and played beautifully. To save it, you need to find your browser cache file right after playing it, rank order by size--it is likely the biggest--move it out of cache and save it. Hope this helps.
Georgiana
Seattle - Saturday, December 02, 2006 at 12:07:30 AM (EST)
I thought the interview was extraordinary. The VOICE yes and he looked delish. And I like that George Stroumboulopoulos guy. He kinda reminds me of a cooler version of Fred Savage.
Renie and pia susanna, you can download the interview at CatsPlay's Live Journal.
Beth
- Friday, December 01, 2006 at 08:23:47 PM (EST)
Just watched the intreview. AR is as intelligent and sensitive as usual. And the *VOICE*! It's a long time since we heard an interview from him. It's sad to hear what he thinks about British politics though... the left and right heading for the middle crowd trend.
fitz
- Friday, December 01, 2006 at 06:27:55 PM (EST)
Our Man has been up to more good works: HIV testing
Glowbox
France - Friday, December 01, 2006 at 05:09:38 PM (EST)
PS Since my latest post, I've found that the interview wasn't meant to be downloaded. Still, I didn't manage to see it either.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Friday, December 01, 2006 at 04:46:58 PM (EST)
Renie, I couldn't find the Hour interview either -- couldn't watch it and couldn't download it. Cold comfort, I suppose! As a rule I don't have any problems downloading stuff, so I was a little surprised.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Friday, December 01, 2006 at 04:34:50 PM (EST)
Of course, it has be wmv at the end of the link, not wvv. I think I just like saying hello to Suzanne--hi Suzanne!
Figures!
R, - Friday, December 01, 2006 at 12:41:40 PM (EST)
Ah foo. I've done all I can think of to get the CBC clip to play,
but it freezes after the word "Nottingham" a little bit in. Here is a direct linkto the Windows Media version, for those who can get it to play.
http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/videos/20061201_rickman.wvv
Must be the Interrogator...
Renie, - Friday, December 01, 2006 at 12:39:45 PM (EST)
Ali-Pat and Vicki, my sentiments exactly!
Anon
- Friday, December 01, 2006 at 07:53:37 AM (EST)
OMG!!! I don't know whether to laugh or cry! It is like being offered all you ever wanted in the world in one day and knowing the excitement will kill you.
But what a way to go :o)
Serious big thanks for this news.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, December 01, 2006 at 07:32:53 AM (EST)
Oh my. Oh my. Oh my! I don't know if I can handle that news. lol That's awesome, thank you Anon and everybody!
Vicki
- Friday, December 01, 2006 at 01:28:35 AM (EST)
According to The Hour interview, Alan Rickman's next project will be Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd. He said that in the film he will be singing a duet with Johnny Depp.
Anon
- Friday, December 01, 2006 at 12:54:15 AM (EST)
And I received an e-mail from Paul, the Associate Producer of The Hour, too! He provided a direct link to the interview which, again, will be available on their website tomorrow morning:
http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/video.php?id=1216
Thanks, Paul and again, Claire, we really appreciate it!
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Friday, December 01, 2006 at 12:19:49 AM (EST)
I received an e-mail from Claire, the producer of The Hour, in which she confermed that AR will be on tonight. And that the full interview will be available on their website tomorrow morning for those outside Canada.
Thank you, Claire!
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Thursday, November 30, 2006 at 11:42:08 PM (EST)
Thanks so much, Susan, for the DVD info, Lana (and Carolyn) and Heather for "The Hour" and Autism Ontario news!
VCR Alert!
The Leaky Cauldron reports that Alan Rickman will be on "The Hour" tonight at 11 p.m. (EST)! Can any of our Canadian friends record it? :-)
They also report that the ABC Family Channel will air a HP-OotP preview on Sunday, Dec. 3rd. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we'll get to see more Snape scenes.
Pam, how scary, I'm glad you're okay!
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Thursday, November 30, 2006 at 07:40:48 PM (EST)
I talked with the people at the Charlie Rose organization. If you want the complete AR interview, buy the DVD on which it's combined with the Stephen L. Carter interview. (The Bridges/AR combination was a rebroadcast, edited due to time constraints.) Amazon.USA sells the DVD.
Susan
- Thursday, November 30, 2006 at 12:55:37 PM (EST)
If you're thinking of buying the DVD of AR's interview with Charlie Rose, the one which combines it with Jeff Bridges' interview has been shortened. Among other things, they've edited out what he says about his stagefright and why he doesn't like to watch his own films. (I don't know if the other version of the DVD has the whole interview.)
Susan
- Thursday, November 30, 2006 at 03:11:46 AM (EST)
Hmm... the trailer on youtube looks to be the same as in theaters now. pia susanna: so you're fiercely famous... sorry to hear about your "debilitating fame" condition? ;-) I'm sure you're a fabulous poet. Re: US schools: Agreed. It's very appalling what happens in a lot of places where education is underfunded. I attended parochial schooling, and the laws are different for non-federally-funded religious entities. We had no "gifted" program and no disabled labeling, and no applicable laws if we did. There was only tutoring until you got it, and a rod across your palms if you spoke a word in the halls or were seen being kissed by a boy. (Nuns on defibrillators.) We were very well behaved and I was spared the labeling competition by attending there. In public high school I met many LD labeled kids who were very smart but their home lives were so crazy there was no quiet space to fit in schooling. ADHD labeling gives desperate schools an easy out to say "they have to take their meds, it's not our fault they aren't learning... we did everything we had to do. (Cost effectively.)" Hmm... the In Demand song got muted after a few seconds (not one for weepy love ballads -- she's got a great voice if she'd pack away the Celine Dion posters and channel some Tori Amos.) The video is beautiful. See, the man does not have to look like a chicken nugget when in a scene with a woman. That confirms it. Even I like this one. Good call, pia!
IDMT
- Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 11:58:33 PM (EST)
Carolyn at Claudia's wrote --
According to the site, the George Stroumboulopoulos show, "The Hour", (which is broadcast in Canada at 11PM, Sundays to Thursdays) will be taping one of its shows on Thursday, November 30 at the CBC Broadcasting Centre in Toronto from 4:30-6PM before a live audience. According to the site, tix are sold out, but occasionally they do have some tix left right before the show. The guest that day is........none other than Mr. Rickman himself.
I don't know the date the show will be aired, though and on the site, they do have video clips from prior shows so maybe this one, as well, will be on their site.
Lana
- Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 05:15:12 PM (EST)
"Recently I watched "In Demand" for the first time.... I'd just like to say how lovely I found it, like a romantic-erotic, lyrical dream."
I like the video very much. I love the parts with the moving car, and of course the dance at the petrol station. Can't see that it has a lot to do with the song, but many videos don't seem to have much relationship that way.
Sheffe
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA USA - Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at 10:40:54 PM (EST)
for everybody: youtube SAY they show, among other bits and pieces, the official (Warner) trailer for HPOP. It was of course easy for me to suppose that this is true. The word "trailer", not "teaser", is used. At the same time (quite recently), it was announced as a piece of news on the net that this trailer had been leaked on-line, and for this reason easy to find and see before the official relase. This wasn't perhaps true either, at least not at the time. I was simply naive, I suppose. -- IDMT: if I told you where to find some of my poetry, it would have been published, with my real name, either on the net or, more often, in print, as poetry collections and/or in literary magazines. Of course I'm "fiercely famous" -- what did you expect?! :) I don't know if my sense of detail became the basis of my talents. PART of them, rather. Or perhaps one was born with the talents as such. -- Also, what you tell us about pigeon-holing children in the US, and all that it involves, seems to me quite appalling. I was (as I've said) regarded as a gifted child, but there were few if any economic or practical consequences, at least in official terms. -- Wasn't it Sartre who said "L'infer, c'est les autres."? -- & again, for everybody: Recently I watched "In Demand" for the first time; I suppose many visitors to this site have already seen the video. I'd just like to say how lovely I found it, like a romantic-erotic, lyrical dream. Maybe the song as such is a bit banal, but anyway.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, November 27, 2006 at 08:19:01 AM (EST)
Woo, busy board :)
Johanna: Hang in there and good luck. Hopefully there will be a better situation for you soon. Just try and hang on until then. I do hope you take up writing, even just for yourself. You don't need to write with the aim to publish. Writing is just such a useful conductor to other projects and personal revelations. Not a cure for depression, but a good safe foothold to start out. That's my opinion, anyway.
pia susanna: I can understand your caution in revealing personal information. I thought it was worth asking for a sampling of your work per the earlier discussion regarding how your sense of detail became the basis for your adult talents later on. It's nice to see how that works out and personally I expected it would remain an anonymous post anyway. Unless you are fiercely famous, if you don't sign your name chances are there are few we'd know you. Public schools, you know :)
Sheffe: agreed, the Meyers Briggs test probably does suffer from oversimplification and is likely mis-administered.
I find the subject a fascinating and slightly dangerous one. My big concern with developmental labeling is whether it helps someone to receive useful treatment from professionals and whether those benefits out weigh it's frequent use as a culling mechanism. In an academic or social context those labels are frequently used as grounds to withhold resources. Children are given a label and not expected to rise from it. If you detect me scoffing a bit, that may be why.
While the MB test itself is benign, developmental and psychological labeling in US classrooms is primarily a competition for federal funding. Achievement scores are used to coerce schools to improve performance in exchange for needed funding, and development tests are used as triage on underfunded regions with only the higher achieving students granted full access to additional advantage programs, which should really be the standard provided everyone. The goal in these cases is not to identify strengths, but to rank children so the most promising profiles are rewarded with at least adequate instruction. If you read the INTJ profiles online, it is not flattering, and judgement is definitely being made. Whether this also effects how a child is viewed in developmental profiles is unknown, but plausible that it could have negative effects. But of course there's nothing wrong with INTJs, it's the bias of how the scores are viewed.
As for disabilities like Asbergers, where in highly-functioning cases the delicacy is not always apparent, but talents in other areas show, children are frequently encouraged (in poorer areas of the US) not to be identified as learning disabled in order that they can maintain gifted status and the lifelong academic benefits that follow for their other abilities. "Academically gifted" labeling will open doors and bring in district funding, but "learning disabled" puts financial burden on the school making any development labeling at all ultimately unsupportable. I am labeled neither, but am well aware of the differences it made for others in my location.
If you want your child labeled correctly to receive full instruction, the cutoff number in recent years for the AG label has gone from 90th to 98th percentile in a battery of total aptitude, and these numbers rise and fall like gas prices depending on how much funding is cut to programs in a given year --ie children scoring the same from one year to the next may not receive the same labeling per funding restrictions.
It's probably a double blow to children with Asbergers, since if research is correct these are people who suffer from hyper-stimulation that often goes hand in hand with great ability and developmental delays stemming from a sense of being too overwhelmed to test well. Maybe that's why so many great thinkers of modern times started out so downtrodden? They're sitting in the back dreaming big dreams.
Pam: As Ben Franklin used to say, hell is other people. I agree, best to keep the patience of angels and turn the cheek so only your sense of humor stays deathly wicked! As someone with extensive knowledge of computer networks, I can warn you that none of us on here are ever really anonymous, and therefore everyone is in danger of having identities stolen or abuse reflected their way. I choose a fake screen name not because I think people won't know everything about me if they want to (they will) but because I don't ever want to give people the impression that I am verifiably the same person as anyone else who could go on here and type in those same four letters to assume that same identity. Chances are your identity was "borrowed" for this purpose, the the poor person after you hasn't figured it out yet. How very Shakespearian. Odd that technology would have the effect of the dark ages, right?
IDMT
NYC, - Monday, November 27, 2006 at 01:26:43 AM (EST)
Thanks to all for the lovely pics etc. and explaining things relating to Snowcake (autisim etc) I really enjoyed it immensely.
Today while shopping in the store with my friend we came across while browsing the Christmas aisle, a picture of the "sheriff" with a santa hat drawn on obviously by an employee of the store with something written on it that stated: Christmas hasn't been cancelled. I found that pretty amusing.
dear lurker below-no it isnt me writing about the people you mention and yes I used to sign as Pam H. as I seem to recall there were a couple of us (Pam) in one place and wanted to cut down on the confusion. Someone is going on ARASK and other sites and saying I am stalking them. Just ignore it-I have learned to.
Have a nice one everyone and Happy Holidays a little early
Pam
P.S. I am just glad to be alive after my harrowing auto accident last month where my car spun around 3 times after being hit on the drivers door and back passenger door. Life is too short for such dribble as was mentioned below-enjoy each and every day-I thought I saw my life going by...pretty scary stuff..almost like a christmas carol...
Pam
MA - Sunday, November 26, 2006 at 09:43:52 PM (EST)
According to the " Autism Ontario" web page, Mr. Rickman will be attending a benefit screening of "Snow Cake" on Tuesday, November 28 (in two days!) in Ontario.
HEREare the details
Heather
- Sunday, November 26, 2006 at 03:48:31 PM (EST)
Sorry, lurker, I slacked off The Bar when I started having computer problems. I will strive to be more diligent.
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Sunday, November 26, 2006 at 11:27:41 AM (EST)
Suzanne, Claudia nz, Claire, whoever. Don't you think it's time for someone to put a stop to whoever is talking about JoanZzzzDumpy etc. in The Downtime Bar? why is she (you know who it is) allowed to talk about this one person over and over?? no one else is getting this taunting treatment. You said you would watch the DT Bar more closely, yet the posts about JoanZzzDumpy continue as this person posting them go merrily on their way. It makes all of you look unfair, is she a friend of yours, is it Pam H. Go take a look! count the posts about JoanZzzzDumpy etc. It's ugly
lurker
- Sunday, November 26, 2006 at 12:23:13 AM (EST)
Dear Johanna,
"AR did two rather autistic behaviors in MC: spinning the bicycle wheel and rocking while crying."
But many people do rock while crying, especially if they are extremely upset.
"No one has ever said my speech impediment was sexy."
Hee, hee! No, usually they aren't. I had speech therapy as a kid, and so did my three children. I thought it seemed as though they'd come a lot farther along in teaching techniques from my day to theirs--they used to make me do a lot of tongue-twister sentences, and to this day I can race through a reading of Fox In Sox. What a talent!
" A lot of people ask my sister questions about me once she tells them what I have. I don't know if it would be more helpful to write an autobiography or in a question and answer format or some combination of the two."
It sounds as if a limited autobiography would be good, specifically related to your experiences as answers to the questions people have, sort of a short-chapter format. Maybe it would even be good as a young-adult oriented book, growing up aspie.
" I've had enough people interested in my life I think I would do better writing about that."
You are probably right about that, at least as a starting point.
"INTP and INTJ are two out of the sixteen MBTI personality types..."
I had to look this stuff up through the links you all posted--I had no idea what you were talking about. Seems like if you just do little online ones, it's going to change day-to-day or even by the hour.
"Driving in the US is practically a rite of passage where you get your driver's license at sixteen."
I have had seven permits and never got around to my license yet! Finally broke down and got a state picture ID, because you have to have something official. It feels so not-adult not having one.
"My sister gave me a xanax so I would stop crying during Thanksgiving."
I'm so sorry you feel rotten. Make sure you don't mix those meds!
Sheffe
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA USA - Saturday, November 25, 2006 at 05:52:49 PM (EST)
And it's really intriguing to read about those brilliant Aspies!
pia susanna
- Saturday, November 25, 2006 at 08:01:07 AM (EST)
Johanna, you might if you chose to do so write about your own life in the form of fiction. To make a rather crass comment, it might be easier to find a publisher for such a book. -- It's really interesting the way you felt comfortable, even physically, with AR. I hadn't thought about his clothes that way; only the obvious things, I suppose -- his preference for dark colours; how good and youthful he looks when casually dressed. His awareness of his body is probably strong, and that may be why he avoids (if you're right)rough materials, tight or uncomfortable garments, and so on. -- And forgive another ignorant question, but why do you dislike being touched? Supposing it's a friendly, gentle kind of touch? To me it's quite dreadful NOT to be touched.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Saturday, November 25, 2006 at 07:57:58 AM (EST)
I messed up on the HTML for the links in my last post. If the link is too long it gets seperated into two lines and automatically adds http://alanrickman.hypermart.net/guestbook to the beginning. Hopefully,this should work.
Thomas Jefferson: Search for "Diagnosing Jefferon". Link is too long for me to make it clickable.
http://www.amazon.com/Diagnosing-Jefferson-Norm-Ledgin/dp/1885477600
VCC, as an aspie I get nervous, tense, and can freak out when casually touched by my friends. Actually, I just accidently brushed my arm against AR's when I got the photo taken but neither of us tensed up. I felt more comfortable with him then I do with most people.
Johanna <joschroth@gmail.comfoo>
Baton Rouge, LA - Saturday, November 25, 2006 at 03:50:55 AM (EST)
I suspect that there are rather a lot of us that would be comfortable with Mr. Rickman touching us LOL
ACC
- Saturday, November 25, 2006 at 03:07:19 AM (EST)
ACC, Asperger's generally means you're autistic with high intelligence and high verbal skills so therefore you're high functioning but there is quite a difference between those of us considered high and low functioning. I think I get what you mean with leadership as applied to aspies. Leadership more in a social sense would be rather difficult for an aspie. Some researchers believe politicians Thomas Jefferson and Eamon de Valera played by AR in MC had Asperger's or signs of autism disorders. AR did two rather autistic behaviors in MC: spinning the bicycle wheel and rocking while crying.
IDMT, I haven't even gone into the other developmental problems I have that led to occupational, physical, and speech therapy when I was a child. No one has ever said my speech impediment was sexy. Oh well. A lot of people ask my sister questions about me once she tells them what I have. I don't know if it would be more helpful to write an autobiography or in a question and answer format or some combination of the two. I'll discuss writing about my various challenges and experiences with my therapist.
pia susanna, I haven't really thought about writing fiction unless I collaborated with someone. I've had enough people interested in my life I think I would do better writing about that. INTP and INTJ are two out of the sixteen MBTI personality types: Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Perceiving and Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging. ASD is short for autistic spectrum disorder. I think I remember reading about AR talking about seeing a psychiatrist or psychotherapist. I just seem able to spot others who have had depression and anxiety issues almost like a super power. I do have a diploma in desktop publishing a form of graphic design similar to what AR did so I would be good as an assistant and could always do the writing on the side. Driving in the US is practically a rite of passage where you get your driver's license at sixteen. Holidays are rather hard for me especially now with my anti-depressant not working and I still have about three weeks till I see my psychiatrist. My sister gave me a xanax so I would stop crying during Thanksgiving.
I think AR wears the softest, most comfortable suits and clothing I've ever seen. I want to know where he goes shopping. I'm very sensitive to touch including being touched by people, certain fabrics, and textures which make shopping for clothes a nightmare so I tend to notice clothing more than most people. Sometimes my sister will tease me about how I let AR touch me when I say I don't like being touched.
Johanna <joschroth@gmail.comfoo>
Baton Rouge, LA - Saturday, November 25, 2006 at 02:58:35 AM (EST)
Thanks, mwbashful18, for the HP-OotP HBO first look info! I checked The Leaky Cauldron and they have a Windows Media (and iPod) downloadable version
And here's some Film Festival dates:
"Snow Cake" at Whistler Film Festival: Closing night - Dec. 3rd
"Perfume" at the Santa Fe Film Festival : Opening night - Dec. 6th
Hope everyone in the US had a Happy Thanksgiving!
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Friday, November 24, 2006 at 10:28:16 PM (EST)
Amelia & Alfan, if I remember rightly, the pig thing was from an English language lesson on a Hungarian or Czech (or some such) site.
Glowbox
France - Friday, November 24, 2006 at 05:38:55 PM (EST)
That actually is Alan talking about pigs, he did a little thing once ( think its on Claudia's page ) and he also talks about skateboards. There is a "pigs slow" and a "pigs fast" and a "skateboard fast". For the life of me i cant remember what it is from ( i do hope he got paid well for it) but someone just ad libbed it onto the POA clip of the DADA class and it is funny. I agree.
Oh and by the way Sherri, did you happen to remember which I-tune pottercast that was in. I would love to hear that as i do have an I-tunes account.
Alfan
Canada - Friday, November 24, 2006 at 01:40:15 AM (EST)
I like to read this board on a regular basis but today I thought I would make myself known. :o)
I have to let everyone know about this thing I've found a short humourous Snape video that somebody cleaverly made. It's hilarious.
You need to join Youtube to watch it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?search=&mode=related&v=TV-KEa7issQ
What I can't understand is that it definatly sounds like Alan Rickman's voice. Weird.
Amelia xx
Amelia <karenshephard@hotmail.comfoo>
Isle Of Wight, England - Thursday, November 23, 2006 at 06:24:19 PM (EST)
IDMT: Since 2001, I've been an HP fan -- a critical one, but anyway. (For instance, I find JKR's prose style rather wooden, at least in the first 2 or 3 books.) Re my poetry: I contribute to this GB as you do, using a pseudonym. I'd like to go on protecting my identity, which, obviously, I couldn't do if I told you how/where to find poetry of mine, whether on the net or in print. Sorry, I don't want to be rude! And I take it as a compliment that you asked me at all. You seem to be a very thoughtful and well-informed person, and I really regret having to reply like this. -- Johanna: Surely there are courses you could do at home, and that would teach or help you how to write fiction (if that's what you're interested in), and, more to the point, how to prepare things for publication. And it's best to approach literary journals first, before tackling any book publisher. -- Please explain your abbreviations INTP, INTJ, ASD! (I haven't explored your link; perhaps I'd find a key there.) Yes, AR is a caring person, apparently not narcissistic, as actors often are supposed to be. He has been open about his stage fright. And, yes, I think he was depressed towards the end of the NY run of LLD. It seems that playing an evil character for so long had really negative effects. Also, possibly, that people found Valmont so attractive, in spite of all. Didn't AR see a psychotherapist because of this depression? (There are probably GB visitors who know this better than I do.) I have also thought that LLD in NY was the beginning of AR's international fame -- perhaps in itself a frightening fact or thought before he got accustomed to working internationally. Clearly the man is familiar with a wide range of emotions (one reason why he is a great actor). Eventually and paradoxically, the negative experiences may have helped nourish him as an artist (dross into gold). You may discover the same in the future, if you decide to pursue a writing career. -- You said, a bit earlier, you don't drive: does it matter? I don't either, and I can't say it ever worried me. But I suppose the ability to drive is more common in the US.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Thursday, November 23, 2006 at 05:24:41 PM (EST)
Wow, mwbashful, that is just terrific!! Here's the link:OotP
Glowbox
France - Thursday, November 23, 2006 at 04:46:55 PM (EST)
Hi again all, long time gone, I know. College life. Happy Thanksgiving to any Americans on here! So . . . the official HPatOotP teaser trailer, the quality version online, can be found by going to the Happy Feet website. It's a small screen but the quality in picture is by far better than what YouTube can provide. Furthermore, as I've watched in nearly 30 times now, I can attest that Snape has two primary bits in it. First, the immediate shot of them during Occlumency is Snape voice over saying, "You won't last two seconds if he invades your mind." Harry follows with "I'm NOT weak." Then the shot of Snape saying "Then PROVE it." Later, during the quick flashes of other scenes, we briefly see the camera going through the doorway of Snape's office and Snape is in the middle of casting a spell. There is also an HBO firtlook thing on HPANA.com wich shows Snape a few more times including what looks like a brief showing of Snape just before he is about to throw Harry from his office. I say this because Harry is backed against the wall looking nervous and the camera is like underneath Snape's arm and away so it's a tad menacing. But I'm not sure. But yeah, the HBO first look is best because it has the teaser in perfect quality plus LOADS of extra scenes including Bellatrix!
mwbashful18
USA - Thursday, November 23, 2006 at 12:02:37 PM (EST)
Suzanne: there are several HPOP trailers and teasers on youtube. I assumed that one of them is the official trailer.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Thursday, November 23, 2006 at 08:42:20 AM (EST)
Thanks, Amy, for the HP teaser trailer links! Pia Susanna, do you mean the full length teaser trailer (or did I miss something?)? Yep, the first one was the teaser to the teaser. LOL Anyway, looks good. I can not wait for those occlumency lessons!
I downloaded the best version of each file type (watch it full screen!) from the HappyFeet site, so if you have a hard time with streaming video or just want to save it, here ya go:
WindowsMedia (HP-OotP-teaser_500.wmv, 7.2MB, 52 secs)
QuickTime (HP_OotP-teaser_500.mov, 9.9MB, 57 secs)
Also, The Epoch Times has the following article (where he talks about trying to get back on
stage!) and photo:
Broadway after Dark: Alan Rickman Shows Up for 'Make A Wish'
By the way, did anyone attend the Q&A after MNiRC last night?
********
Fausta, I just wanted to tell you again that it would be an honor and a pleasure to host the Rickmanista Review. Like so many others, I have spent many hours on your wonderful web site, and it would be a tragedy to let it go into oblivion. I almost have it all set up now, just need to work on the .htaccess domain pointing stuff and everything should look as if nothing has changed and all links to www.rickmanistareview.com should still work. Good luck in your new endeavors! And I hope you will come visit us once in awhile.
Christine, I think it's worth taking a chance. And I see nothing wrong with writing a letter, either. I've heard accounts from people getting positive results after writing ahead of time. Anyway, I hope you will give us a report and good luck!
Thank you Lynn (could you please e-mail me?) Roxane, Sheena, n/a, Pia Susanna, Julia, Yulia Ivanova, Martha, Ali-Pat, Aurora, Renie, Glowbox, Christine, Slope, IDMT, Armenia, Anne/Manhattan, Johanna, kit, Patty, mims, Amy, Sherri, Claire and Georgiana (hope you had a wonderful time in London!), for all the links info, news, articles, reviews, videos, photos, etc.!!!
And welcome to Darja, Dorothea, Jayne, Katie, Sherri and Johanna (thanks for sharing your insight and photo with us!)!
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at 09:58:46 PM (EST)
Christina, I agree that you should go for the gold and send the man a letter. The fact that you're publicly asking if you should means it's important enough for you to do so regardless of whether or not he reads it. Get it off your chest and you'll feel better. And if he does read it, you've passed someone you admire a happy thought. Good karma, if you believe in that sort of thing.
pia susanna, I don't know why but Harry Potter makes me happy, maybe because I read them when we first moved and they cheered me. I'm sure we're chock full of Potter fans anyway. And I was meaning to ask, do you have a website of your poetry? Now that we've bantered a bit I'm curious to read your work some time. Maybe other folks would enjoy it as well?
Johanna, I will gladly admit that your challenges fascinate me, and in a respectful way, not as a clinician, which I'm not. You're very bright and I'm really serious that you should take up writing. I have McKee's book if you'd like me to ship it to you. developer at pobox.com -- put Johanna from Alan Rickman Guestbook in the subject so it gets through my filters and let me know where you'd like me to send it. I have too many books and would be happy to give it a new home instead of the garbage chute. I'd also send you "Love Creeps" by Amanda Filipacchi but I've just given it away. You would looooove that book. I guarantee it.
How funny, I was an INTP at last test. I never score the same twice on that test. We were tested first at school and by a strange twist, ENTJs all sat in the same row, often known as the row of terror, though none of us actually knew one another. We just happened to end up all in the same Feng Shui pattern or something equally obvious yet subconscious. (I was the last one in the back, also scoring ENTJ at the time.) I took the test online again just now. I'm back to ENTJ. How odd. I have no idea what that means except that I dislike "always" and "never" in selecting statements about what I would do in a hypothetical unknown. All the percentages are as always very weak. I prefer situational awareness. Maybe the ENTJ is just the new locale rubbing off.
I am in the same boat with trying to understand how to best present a succinct story and apparently so are just about every other group of writers. The fact that you're that far means you're already ahead. That's exactly what the McKee book is about in fact. But it's also a hard wall to run up against some days. It's worth it though, even for purely personal motives. I know once I push myself into a creative spell it generates a certain kind of happiness where before there was none. I'll seriously send you that book if you'd like to skim it for inspiration.
IDMT
NYC, - Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at 09:48:47 PM (EST)
Hi Sherri, welcome to the club! Did you save the voicemail to your computer? I'd like to hear it too but I don't have a iTunes account.
Anne -- thank you for the instructions! I listened for awhile but I didn't hear the ad so I'll listen again tonight.
Katie
MN - Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at 07:56:21 PM (EST)
I have been a fan of his work-- serious and other-- for many years and seek out movies where he an actor.
I am also a casual Harry Potter fan, and happened to be seeking out podcasts in iTunes when i happened accross a harry potter podcast, and listened to an episode to see any news.
It happened to be one where they aired a voice mail they recieved, from Mr. Rickman. He phoned them up and responded as his character of Snape. It was so well done, and showed such a great sense of humor, that It really cemented my fondness for the man, who is not afraid to have fun with his work and roles both serious and funny.
In addition to talent, he seems to be a great guy and I look forward to seeing more interviews and learning about the man who acts. Thus I have decided to look up fan clubs for the man, even though I'm a middle aged widow who thought fan clubs were a thing of my teenage years *giggle*
If you read your fan club pages, great work Mr. Rickman! I will continue to see out your works that make it to DVDs in America!
-Sincerely,
Sherri Kopel-Hamburg
Sherri Kopel-Hamburg <solsticesun@verizon.netfoo>
Moscow, ID USA - Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at 05:19:42 PM (EST)
I think Mr. Rickman pays attention more than most people. He seems to be very aware of his environment. I think that I do define leadership a bit differently than you, and I think that the Asperger's people that I have interacted have not been high functioning. I meant leadership in the social sense, like a boss or a political leader or someone who has to be very political in a social sense, requiring some dissembling perhaps. I am not particularly good at that one myself LOL
ACC
- Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at 02:32:55 AM (EST)
IDMT, I've been told my several medical professionals I'm a fascinating case study. My current therapist suggested I take up writing as well. My big problem with writing is how to organize and present it in the best way possible. I would need someone to help me with that.
Like most with Asperger's, I score as an INTP on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI) personality test. I have often wondered if AR would score as an INTP or INTJ. I can see how the sensitivity and observational abilities would be helpful in performing. I took some acting classes when I was younger and I've learned how to act pretty non-autistic around others.
pia susanna, I'm used to being misunderstood and expect it now. It's hard for me to understand why I don't relate to most people or empathize with other's emotions and why I relate and empathize with the few that I do. I believe AR has mentioned having stage fright and anxiety. I don't think he's every talked about depression but it wouldn't surprise me; in some photos, he looks to me like he has been though some emotional ups and downs.
ACC, I think AR is more sensitive than your average neurotypical (non-autistic). I have been around many people including several other actors and most have not shown the compassion and understanding that AR did. Perhaps I should've posted a warning that no inferences should be inferred unless clearly stated. No, I am not inferring that AR or the Sheriff have an autistic spectrum disorder. Latest
research shows relatives of autistics have more autistic-like traits so it's not unheard of for someone to have some autistic-like traits without having an ASD. I have not read anything in my years of research suggesting those with an ASD would not choose to be in a leadership role so I'm curious as to where you got that idea. Maybe my definition of leadership is different than yours. An Aspie would make a very good leader in an area of their special interest without an overwhelming amount of social interaction. I myself as an Aspie have been photography editor of my high school yearbook, treasurer of Troop 1970, and took over a local British TV group. I know of a number of online groups and lists that are run by Aspies.
Johanna <joschroth@gmail.comfoo>
Baton Rouge, LA - Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at 01:06:41 AM (EST)
Katie, the station's website is WQXR. At the top there's a button that says "Listen Now." At the bottom is a "Contact" link; maybe if you email them they could tell you when the ad will air. When you click on Listen Now they'll give you a choice of two links - one for AOL members, another for the rest of us. I haven't actually tried listening online because I have the radio right here. The MNIRC ad is just AR talking quietly about Rachel and it really stands out because most of their ads are annoyingly loud and intrusive for a classical-music station. It probably runs 30 seconds but it might be a minute. Hope you can catch it. Or that somebody more technically adept than I can download it for posterity.
Anne/Manhattan
- Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 11:35:15 PM (EST)
Anne/Manhattan (or somebody), could you tell us more about the ad? And where do I click on their web site? I'm new at this and there are so many links!
Katie
MN - Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 07:12:54 PM (EST)
Er, and if it really was a glimpse of Snape brandishing his wand, that will have been part of the Occlumency stuff, I suppose.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 04:24:17 PM (EST)
Hi Amy and everybody else, Found late last night that the whole HPOP trailer has been leaked online. And if one goes to youtube, one can find several trailers and teasers, some made by fans (one or two offerings are quite bad, amateurish). Snape trying to teach Harry Occlumency puts in an appearance in a few, including the Warner teaser. I think I also saw a glimpse of Snape holding his wand. You could probably reach youtube in many ways, but this worked for me: I typed in "youtube.com/watch?v" and then "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". Both phrases separately, within quotes.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 08:58:40 AM (EST)
Please forgive me if someone's already posted this info - I was out of town when MNIRC opened and still haven't caught up with the GB. AR is doing radio ads for the show on WQXR, the radio station of the New York Times. You can listen on their website, www.wqxr.com (sorry, brain's too fried to tackle a link). I've heard the ad around midnight, give or take 20 minutes. That voice was made for midnight. But it probably airs at other times.
Anne/Manhattan
- Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 06:27:40 AM (EST)
Am enjoying the interesting discussions going on here. Here's the link to the photo call for "Suddenly Last Summer" again: Photos
Glowbox
France - Monday, November 20, 2006 at 03:34:58 AM (EST)
Christine, I think you should at least make the attempt. AR has been responsive to artists in the past would probably be interested in discussing the collage with you. The fact that you will have your husband with you is also a plus--he seems much more relaxed with women who have their mates with them than with single women. (I am basing these observations on what has been reported from past encounters.) As for a tour of the set, you might have a better chance speaking to someone from the theatre itself instead of going through AR. It seems like a reasonable request to me, anyway.
Good luck! And let us know how it goes.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH Go Bucks USA - Sunday, November 19, 2006 at 08:41:33 AM (EST)
Hello,
Thanks amy for your post and the link to the HP trailer teaser. Just some more thought on my previous post. I most likely will not send him a letter. It's probably stupid for me to do that. Howerver, I will not be wearing any bag over my head while there. I will be walking tall, confident, and elegantly with my husband on my arm.
Christine
CHRISTINE <cbogannam@comcast.netfoo>
PORTSMOUTH, - Sunday, November 19, 2006 at 08:06:32 AM (EST)
There's a quicktime teaser trailer of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix HERE It's short but miracle of miracles, Alan Rickman is in it with a speaking part. Woo-hoo!!! The full length trailer can be viewed at HappyFeetmovie.com (don't ask me why) this Monday at 3 p.m. EST.
Christine, I say go for it! It's probably too short notice to expect a reply from him or his representatives but what could you lose? Don't get your hopes up too high but it's worth taking a chance.
Amy
- Saturday, November 18, 2006 at 11:03:18 PM (EST)
I think that when the Minetta Lane Theatre receives the thousands of letters and cards that are sent because of your guestbook entry they will probably want to give you a good pummeling. I suggest you wear a bag over your head when you go, in case Mr. Rickman reads this guestbook.
ACC
- Saturday, November 18, 2006 at 07:24:37 PM (EST)
Hello All!
I need to know what anyone thinks I should do....
I recently found out that I will be going to NY the begining of Dec to teach a couple of classes for a color company I represent. I decided to reserve two tickets to MNIRC, again... (I saw it with a friend of mine on opening night Oct 15th) My husband will be coming with me this time. Well, back on Oct 15th I did meet AR for a quick moment, and I was so nervous that I was going to bother him (he was very busy with many people) I was kind of freeked out by it all, and I could barely speak to him. I did manage to give him a small "artsy" kind of book though, and I told him it was from me, one artist to another... he thanked my very much for it then someone wisked him away quickly. Well, I know he appears to be still in NY as it stands right now. I'm pretty sure that he's not at the theatre all the time although I was hoping that maybe by chance he would be stopping by the theatre Sunday the 3rd for 7pm show. I would like the chance to 1st, properly introduce myself and my husband and (not present myself like a fumbling idiot this time) 2nd, ask if maybe there's a chance that after the show If he would mind letting me see the collage of RC's wall up close, 3rd ask if he's had a chance to look over that book I gave him. I'm interested in seeing the collage up close because I actually had some collages that I presented in Montreal for a presentation on structural hair design. My mentor had us make a collage of all different types(mediums) of art and design, architecture etc.. to get a sense of what inspires us. I had a blast doing it, and I will always be working on some sort of collage from this day forward. I think they're a great teaching tool in my classes and also inspire others creativity. What was really coincidental was that when I first saw MNIRC back in Oct. I noticed that there was a picture of Henry Matisse's Bluc nude up in the right hand corner of the wall, well I had the same picture, same size and in the same spot on one of my collages that I had done before ever seeing MNIRC. The twilight zone theme began to play in my mind, not to metion that I had also a picture of a staircase that is in the Longchamp store, well that same weekend in NY I walked past Longchamp's upon total accident and I remember thinking that's just too coincidental! I just thought It would be nice to admire another collage, especially on the MNIRC set! Well, here's where this is all going.... Does anyone think it would be a good idea if I wrote a letter to Mr. Rickman and sent it to the theatre? I would remind him that I was the "the flaming red headed very nervous hair artist who gave him the book" and to tell him how I was coming to see the play again with my husband, and was hoping maybe by chance he would stop by, maybe. As well as maybe see the collage? Now, I know there's a great chance that my letter may get returned to sender and that he may not be in NY anyway, but I figured what have I got to lose right? I also would mention that I'm not in the habit of sending letters to actors but just thought that this was justifiable. Actually I've never sent a letter to any actor before, ever. Not that there's anything wrong with it, I'm sure he probably enjoys getting fan letters for the most part (unless there mean notes or love notes) I would feel much better if I could redeem myself and see MNIRC under better circumstances. I was extremely tired that day, absolutely no sleep the night before because of a wedding, I was also in some serious pain too, so I really had all I could do to be there. Then throw in all that nervousness, and I'm talking about ambarassingly nervousness. Also, another coincidental thing, that wedding I went to on Oct 14th before seeing MNIRC on the 15th, yeah, Norman Reedus (Dark Harbor) was there, and I had no clue. He had a sort of a goate going on and looked a bit different but I do remember thinking "god that guy looks sooo familiar", (ah duh? Christine, Dark Habor!)
any imput would be great. Thanks!
Christine
CHRISTINE <cbogannam@comcast.netfoo>
PORTSMOUTH, nh - Saturday, November 18, 2006 at 03:10:03 PM (EST)
mims, how lovely! And with some of the other sexiest men alive only about half AR's age -- not bad, eh? The text wasn't as silly as I had feared; quite good, in fact. I, too, think he's more attractive now than when what's known as young. But the photo isn't exactly recent.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Saturday, November 18, 2006 at 08:51:17 AM (EST)
alan rickman made the list of salon.com's sexiest men!! that's RIGHT, salon.com! wooooooooo!!
mims <yourdamnmim@yahoo.comfoo>
mimsville, mi usa - Friday, November 17, 2006 at 08:56:47 PM (EST)
kit, thanks for your piece of news! Nice to know that AR receives the accolade he deserves. As you've probably seen, we have been discussing the Sheriff quite a lot here recently. -- And ACC: I don't really believe that AR has either autism or Asperger's. Somebody suggested that the other day. I agree with you about his character.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Friday, November 17, 2006 at 08:15:47 AM (EST)
I think that Mr. Rickman is a sensitive man and would try to be kind and helpful to someone that he perceived to be in some sort of distress. It is much easier to be understanding for a few moments than to live with something your entire life, and hard too, to be the family who must feel some sort of guilt and helplessness that a casual acquaintance wouldn't have to sort through-I have never felt that Mr. Rickman has autism or Asperger's-is this what you are inferring? Or is it a character he has played-The sheriff of Nottingham is "certifiable" and evil, but I do not personally think that he is autistic, as he is in more of a leadership role than most people struggling with autism or Asperger's would care to choose.
ACC
- Friday, November 17, 2006 at 12:15:14 AM (EST)
Alan went to see Carla Gugino (JUDAS KISS) last night in "Suddenly Last Summer." Here's a link to the article and photo:
PHOTO CALL: SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER OPENING NIGHT
And a nice review of MNiRC from earlier this month:
THEATER REVIEW: "MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE"
Patty
- Friday, November 17, 2006 at 12:07:22 AM (EST)
Dear Johanna, I'm so sorry I misunderstood you! And I can sympathize and empathize in at least some degree with you, as I have survived several periods of depression (and also eating disorders) in my own life. Believe me, it's possible to get out into daylight again, hopefully with some new insights that will help you in your future life. (That's perhaps what the crises are there for.)I realize that you've had many terrible or frustrating experiences. I'd also like to say that unfortunately we live in a hard, tough society that often couldn't care less about its more sensitive and vulnerable members. This isn't their fault. I'm not quite sure why you find it disconcerting to relate to AR. Surely he is admirable in many ways, and can serve as an inspiration and/or role model, as many people have pointed out, also here, in this GB. I can't believe that you offended or upset him in any way. Do write to him, as you suggest, and send him the photo c/o his London agency! -- As for the Sheriff, I find your interpretation even more intriguing now! An unidentified Aspie? From what you say, it seems very convincing! -- AR's anxiety (mostly concealed, I suppose?) may be what I have seen as a certain sadness, in such public contexts. -- And as IDMT suggests, why not try to be a writer? A tough career, in many ways, but you seem well equipped for it. Also, you could help others by your work. -- If it's any comfort to you at all, Johanna, many of us here in this GB think of you with respect and affection!
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 08:28:10 AM (EST)
Johanna,
It's common to be self-depreciating when depressed, but I think Sheffe is right to compliment you. Hmm... depression. Perhaps try to focus on accepting both that it's been a hard road, and that you've come a long way and are getting on the right track. Be patient with yourself.
Depression is having your emotional lights blotted out, where you can't see through the windows to look outside yourself and catch some comfort in an outside frame of reference. Sometimes that's what will buoy you back to the surface and when your usual comfort zones are gone you have to seek new ones.
Success and failure are all in your head, so on that level you do have some control. It's the feeling like you have no control that makes it worse. Decide how you are going to think about what's happened to you, and at least then it's somewhat settled. Anyhow that's the end of my infomercial, but you get the point. We're glad to have your comments. Whatever annoyance has gone on in Baton Rouge, it's certainly not the opinion of everyone.
I beg you to take up writing. You're more than capable with the quality of your posts on here, and you are more than qualified to empathize with a broad range of people. Financially you are in a perfect position for it, and you're still young with many years ahead. They say JK Rowling started in the exact same spot, and even if you don't end up worth 4.6 billion dollars, a lot of happiness and emotional fulfillment awaits. If nothing else it would be something you can do which others only dream of having the time for, and the act of writing itself is very meditative, though also hard.
Here's an article by Simon Baron-Cohen on the blurred lines between Autism and people attracted to others who display those traits:
http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2006/11/when_two_minds_think_alike.php?page=1
Simon is coincidentally the cousin of Sasha, the man behind favorites like Borat, so you can understand his research interest.
Also, I'm not sure, but I think you may have just accurately called Alan Rickman out as being personality-wise very similar to Asbergers. You know, it's quite possible. I've known a lot of performers who fit the bill. Maybe it's actually a helpful part of that field, where the concentration in the role and fastidiousness in pattern recognition and body language are what is needed to excel in performance arts.
That's my theory. Perhaps he was good with you because he understood more than you realize and wasn't offended at all because he's the sort to worry about being the offender. Writers and actors tend to be friends for a reason, and if you read the article above, you can see the interesting way systematic people play very useful roles in some of the most successful and lucrative human arts.
Start with "Story" by Robert McKee
IDMT
nyc, - Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 07:41:01 AM (EST)
Sheffe,
"That's an excellent point I had not clearly thought of!"
I often think of things that others don't.
I don't feel particularly brave or remarkable. I'm just trying my best to muddle through. I'm 30; I don't work, drive, or date. I just got on disability this past April after trying for several years. I've only been officially diagnosed as Asperger's for a few years now and I had to fight for it because I was told there was no point in getting a diagnosis since I was an adult. I was misdiagnosed as ADD for most of my life and have been on stimulants. In addition, I have had depression and anxiety for most of my life as well. Right now, I'm in a major depressive episode where I sleep all day and feel like crying when awake. My current anti-depressant is not working well and the earliest appointment with my new psychiatrist is in a month and he is the first psychiatrist I've ever had that specializes in mood disorders and autism. I don't know how I've survived through all of it.
pia susanna, I'm afraid you misconstrued my meaning. I did not mean that I found your comments disconcerting; I meant when you're a teenager and it's hard for you to identify and relate to others, it's disconcerting when you relate to a middle-aged British character actor no one else your age has heard of it playing someone rather unstable.
I grew up with others reacting negatively to things I said because of the autism. I was often teased, told not to be so impolite and rude, told what I SHOULD and SHOULDN'T say, asked what's wrong with you?, been called weird, etc… It has made me very self-conscious about talking to others not knowing how they are going to react to me making it even more difficult when I do want to talk to someone like AR. I was afraid I upset or offended him when I got my sister to ask him how tall he is because he paused for a few seconds before answering 6 foot 1 or when I blurted "oh bugger". He showed more patience and concern towards me than most people do including my own mother. I've wanted to write a letter to thank him and explain about the autism when he has time to respond. I've also been thinking about sending him a copy of the photo of us signed to him from me.
I don't think he based the sheriff on someone diagnosed as autistic; I get the feeling he based it on someone with Asperger's or Aspie traits that was undiagnosed and just seen as eccentric. He has too many Aspie traits like difficulty in communicating, difficulty in social relationships, and understanding and expressing varied emotional states for it to be a coincidence. I always think AR looks in photos they way I feel; a bit anxious not wanting my picture taken and not wanting to smile just because someone told me to.
Johanna <joschroth@gmail.comfoo>
Baton Rouge, LA - Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 02:57:27 AM (EST)
Well, I had a message for The Downtime Bar.
Hi all of you* who where there the last couple days! (Bar Fly, Nicketynick, etc)
I was going to post:"Oh dear!!! have they opened this old place again?!?!? better get ready to duck, speaking of which, oh, Barkeep! pleeeese some rose wine! well, look who's here? are you guys* Downtime Bar quote unquote "virgins"??" but had no luck. Now why wouldn't they let ol' Rosay in?!?!
BUT, here's something of interest to all you AR fans. ARDH has an interview of AR on the GB, translated from German, don't miss it!
Rosay
usa - Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at 11:54:39 PM (EST)
Sheffe: thank you for the nice but sad story. Shethra is a lovely name, no wonder your dad wanted you to have it. Yes, "Susanna" is said to mean "lily", "rose" or "anemone". The lilies of the field in the Bible are, so to speak, "Susannas".
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at 05:05:17 PM (EST)
Thanks, IDMT, I really like your comments, especially your intriguing (and funny)analysis of the Sheriff's character. To be pursued by "with a spoon" must have been interesting, at least when you realized where that phrase came from! But have I got you wrong -- or you, me -- in any way? I don't think it's odd to like the Sheriff; lots of people do, partly perhaps because AR acts his part far better and with more energy than KC, his. And it was Johanna, not me, who first used "disconcerting".
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at 04:33:06 PM (EST)
Rickman reference in this month's In Britain magazine. There is a new Robin Hood series on BBC and among the referneces to past RH's is the a statment about the best sheriff ever being AR. It's also in large bold letters at the beginning of the article. There is a survey for your favorite RH, but none for the sheriff, I guess because they've already acknowleged that!
kit
pa usa - Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at 03:23:40 PM (EST)
Dear Pia Susanna,
The short answer is that it is a family name--I am named for my aunt Shethra, so I'm "little" Shethra, and my oldest is Lily Shethra. (Lily is the English versian of Susanna!)
Long answer: Sometime between 1900 and 1920 some people were looking through their KJV bible looking for names for their little girl. In the book of Esther they found in a list of advisers to the king a Persian prince named Shethar. The couple switched the last two letters around to make it sound more feminine and named their daughter. She fell down a well at a young age and died. That's how my great-grandmother found out about the name. She'd had her girls already, so she pestered my grandmother until she gave that name to her oldest daughter. My dad always liked his sister's name, and wanted his first daughter to have it. So I do.
I have since found that it is used as a female name somewhere in the Middle East, but I don't know where. I suppose it would be somewhere the Persian empire once ruled.
Sheffe
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA USA - Monday, November 13, 2006 at 09:58:40 PM (EST)
Well you know Pia, there are two types of people. The kind who bleed when cut, curse when injured, and laugh when inappropriate (thus allowing others to finally laugh with them). Lovely at dinner parties; terrible in marriages. (Very messy.) Then there are the kind who wouldn't bleed if god was in a car accident and needed the pint (staff infections), who clean the bathroom when injured, work when half dead, and laugh much louder and much more inappropriately when they finally lose their ordered little friggin minds.
I don't think it's odd to like the Sherrif. I think it's intentional. It's deliciously on purpose, in fact.
The great thing about Rickman's sherrif is that he manages to be the most lovable of both these opposites while showing only the negative sides in the character's duality that most everyone universally identifies with, effectively blunting the edges of his character (like a spoon... so it'll hurt more when the audience finally realizes that they're able to identify with this terrible villain.) He manages this because he's the sensitive, romantic headstrong little boy who gives gifts to the woman he adores and begs to protect her from the clutches of other "dangerous" men. Rickman could have made the man simply jealous, but by making him actually care about Marrian in his own psycho way, he's given the character a heart. Granted, he's insane, and all these other terrible, spoiled things, but the humor is in the fact that he doesn't know it, and so manages to be completely rational and overcivilized in his begging the world not to be so insane around him, even while he is desperately prying apart the legs of the screaming woman he's supposed to have just married (to deflower at his mother's behest.) This was still risky business back in the eighties to shoot a film this way, and would be an extremely disturbing movie if he hadn't chosen to play that role as a completely hen-pecked, emasculated man. The fact that he's so sensitive as to be depressed that not even his rape is going right is the ultimate literary exposure on misogyny. --The fact that it hides the opposite extreme. He's totally not into her. It's an ice picking with a spoon. Or maybe a burrito... he turns a feminist nightmare into a disgruntled Chihuahua.
Years later I was in the kitchen, and had left the TV on when Harry Potter appeared, and in the middle of making lunch I kept staring at my utensils, waiting for this voice to say "with a spoon!" And it was irritating when the other shoe didn't drop. I walked around going "why does that guy make me think of spork fencing at taco bell in fifth grade? With a spoon? Where does that COME from?" I eventually had to look it up online, which led me here, and just goes to show, take care in what your kids are viewing. Should I have been watching this movie unattended when I was a kid with my friends? Probably not, but my best friend was in love with Christian Slater and well it's too late now, isn't it? That silly line is forever in my head and apparently it's always ready to strike, peeking out somewhere behind color coded gummy bracelets and bad Vanilla Ice rap lyrics.
PS: Pia - Cultural note - in the US saying "one finds it disconcerting" is considered archaic and stuffy, with "you" being the general purpose substitute to mean "oneself" Or sometimes when directed at the plural it's Y'all... the American equivalent of the second person plural. Because you know, generalizing is extremely important.
IDMT
- Monday, November 13, 2006 at 09:01:24 PM (EST)
Johanna: sorry that you find my comments disconcerting. I suppose I'm normally too willing and eager to identify with others, to look for similarities, and perhaps overlook differences. I'm creative and intelligent, as you say, but of course I may get things wrong, exaggerate, and so on. -- How terrible, being teased about shyness, rather than encouraged to try to get over it! -- Yes, AR is right-handed -- I remember first realizing this when I saw the duelling scene in HPCS. As I'm left-handed, I tend to notice such things. (ET is left-handed, using her left hand when writing in S&S.)Interesting points about the Sheriff; do you think AR deliberately based his interpretation on people with autism (or Asperger's)? You mentioned the Sheriff's inarticulate anger as well. -- Can't help smiling at your unladylike "oh, bugger" . . . :). It must have been a tense encounter for you in some ways, but I suppose it felt lovely to realize how kind and patient AR is. -- Thanks for the article and photos. Am I the only one who thinks that AR sometimes looks slightly sad in these more or less public contexts? Or is it just some faint boredom shining through? Nice silver-grey tie (slightly patterned?), quite expensive-looking!
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, November 13, 2006 at 03:29:21 PM (EST)
Hi Sheffe, and thanks for being so encouraging! I don't know how unusual my problems are. I do think and write, and, basically, I'm probably a very privileged person. What kind of name (where from) is Shethra?
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, November 13, 2006 at 03:02:10 PM (EST)
Dear Johanna,
" It seems odd that he would be loosening his left hand when he's right-handed."
That's an excellent point I had not clearly thought of!
" I move my fingers when I get anxious."
Yes, so do many of the kids I work with.
I can't begin to imagine how hard it is for you to go out and do what you need to do every day. I think you are a very brave person to keep fighing and not let it win. Some of the kids at school have a dual diagnosis of Asperger's and autism. The therapist said diagnosis of autism centers on obsessive behavior and self stimulation. Obviously some of the actions are very similar. The hand motions can be self stimulation, or, as in your case, anxiety. There is an awful lot I don't know, and I'll bet you know more than you want and could write a book about it! You go, girl.
Sheffe
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA USA - Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 09:25:30 PM (EST)
Dumpy-so glad you were finally able to get back in here! Glad to see you back. I have been here just about the same length of time you have too.
Thanks everyone for all the great news etc. After the church fair I just went through, today was a great day to watch some AR films, starting with TMD, Blow Dry and ending with the first HP (dont know why but its my all time favorite-probably because it was the first time we got to "see" the magicial world on screen.
Keep up the good work Suzanne and all. Once in a while I come out of lurkdom to see hi..have a good one all
Pam
MA - Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 07:43:41 PM (EST)
* ** ^^ AAA ^ ^A^ ^ . * A^/[ ]`\\`` \\ A..^^^AAA Hi, Suzanne and all you Rickman fans, new and old! I don't think I've been here since March 06, but I've been an AR fan for about four years. So happy to be here again! winter here soon! hope y'all can see AR this winter without too much snow!
Dumpy
usa - Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 06:55:10 PM (EST)
Sorry! My bad, pia susanna. Yes, of course, Megan's safety.
Aurora
- Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 09:58:52 AM (EST)
Megan's safety, Aurora?
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 08:57:46 AM (EST)
Wow! Johanna, great photos! There's a variety of serious and smiley. AR is really getting out there to social events to promote the play. It appears he is going to stay for the whole run. I recall that when MNiRC was playing in London, there was a comment that he was concerned for Rachel's safety if it went to NYC. Maybe he's her bodyguard. Or he might just be proud of his work.
Aurora
- Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 07:50:08 AM (EST)
Osmond and Morton Only Make Believe! Nov. 6; Song List Announced
By Andrew Gans
06 Nov 2006
Several theatre favorites are scheduled to take part in the sixth annual benefit for Only Make Believe, the charity that brings musical theatre to ill children.
The Nov. 6 concert, simply titled Only Make Believe, will boast the talents of Donny Osmond, Euan Morton, Felicia P. Fields, Liz McCartney, Merle Dandridge, David Bryan, Christine Pedi and world-renowned acrobats KENiMATTix with direction by Joe DiPietro and musical direction by Jason Debord. The 7:30 PM evening at the Millennium Hotel's Hudson Theatre, hosted by Kathie Lee Gifford, will also feature the presentation of the 2006 James Hammerstein Award to Peace One Day founder Jeremy Gilley.
The repertoire for the evening follows:
Donny Osmond: "Beauty and the Beast" and "Any Dream Will Do"
Euan Morton: "At This Moment"
Felicia P. Fields: "It Don't Mean a Thing"
Liz McCartney: "My Simple Christmas Wish"
Merle Dandridge: "I Don't Know How to Love Him"
Christine Pedi: "I Will Survive" (as Eartha Kitt, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, etc.)
Kathie Lee Gifford: "I Don't Want" (accompanied by songwriter David Friedman)
Morton, McCartney, Jeffrey Carlson, Felice B. Gajda and Gregory Treco: "Come On in From the Outside"
Performances by David Bryan and KENiMATTix
Those scheduled to attend include Julia Stiles, Alan Rickman and Megan Dodds.
Only Make Believe was founded in October 1999 at Rusk Institute's Pediatric Unit of the NYU Hospitals Center as a project of the James and Dena Hammerstein Foundation. Since its debut, the project has already provided hundreds of workshops for children in New York City medical facilities.
The Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Hotel is located at 145 West 44th Street. Tickets, priced $25-$300, are available by calling (646) 336-1500. (There are $25 tickets still available.) For more information visit www.onlymakebelieve.org.
Photo Coverage: Only Make Believe Benefit After-Party
Johanna <joschroth@gmail.comfoo>
Baton Rouge, LA - Saturday, November 11, 2006 at 04:28:43 PM (EST)
Dear IDMT, no, I don't really think I'm autistic. It's more that I've got a thing about transcending borders, and I identify very easily (at least I THINK I do) with others. I'm sure it's tough, for Johanna and others, to have Asperger's. You mention "casual middle American culture", and perhaps British attitudes tend to be different. But I'm sure you're right, that there are pompous people everywhere! I'm not crazy about royalty, myself, and don't blame AR for not wishing KW to curtsey to the Queen. -- You're really so kind and considerate, IDMT, and so are many others here in this GB as well. It really moves me. Perhaps AR brings out the best in people? ;)
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Saturday, November 11, 2006 at 08:34:17 AM (EST)
Just in case anybody's looking for a place to eat in NY: The Post's "Page Six" gossip column (which is on page 17 - ???) had this on November 9: "Sightings ... Natasha Richardson lunching with actor Alan Rickman at hot new bistro Chat Noir on East 66th Street ..."
I've been away from the GB so long I'll never catch up ...
Anne/Manhattan
- Saturday, November 11, 2006 at 08:32:51 AM (EST)
pia susanna, it's rather disconcerting when you relate to the slightly manic character who could benefit from therapy and medication. Most people are too normal for my taste. I think you have characteristics of the creative and intelligent not necessarily the autistic. Most people aren't diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, or put on xanax. I'm more used to being teased then shown concern when I'm being shy.
Sheffe, I'm not used to people understanding what I'm talking about. It seems odd that he would be loosening his left hand when he's right-handed. I move my fingers when I get anxious. My sister practically pushed me right into AR. He tried signing the magazine I had several times before saying it wouldn't work. I just blurted out "oh, bugger" and he smiled. When he asked for a ballpoint pen and we had to search for one, I felt so overwhelmed and frustrated that I couldn't even get a pen to work it was all I could do to not start crying. My sister asked if I wanted to get a picture and I hesitated but AR just nodded and my sister said it was alright and motioned for me to stand closer to him.
Johanna <joschroth@gmail.comfoo>
Baton Rouge, LA - Friday, November 10, 2006 at 01:13:50 AM (EST)
Every illness BUT "housemaid's knee"!
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Thursday, November 09, 2006 at 04:00:21 PM (EST)
Dear Pia Susanna,
I'm sure you are not autistic. You may have some unusual problems, but you are thinking and writing, expressing yourself and contributing in the world with no more assistance than the rest of us. You learned to deal. You're doing great!
By the way, about name spelling...I'm somewhat mortified about that. I usually try to make a point of checking people's names. My real first name is Shethra, and nobody spells or says it right! I generally answer to anything not insulting, and go by my nickname Sheffe because it seems easier.
Sheffe
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA USA - Thursday, November 09, 2006 at 03:45:02 PM (EST)
Good to be back! So much is happening here on the GB. All this talk about this Rachel Corrie from America. She seems to have had her heart in the right place but misjudged this planet terribly..... Coming from Australia, we have not had a chance to see this play, here, but lately, I have began to ASK "what is currently happening in the middle east". England is currently changing hands for the worse, within this current government. Who knows what this girl died for? From what I can see she really cared for these people but no one else did. The up and coming generation really don't care- when they can tear themselves away from TV and computers......... AR,& RH and all like Them, are up against this problem.
Barbara the Aussie
Gold Coast , Qld. Australia - Thursday, November 09, 2006 at 06:35:20 AM (EST)
Pia Susanna, it's more probable that you are not autistic. So don't worry. We were only kidding about considering myself or anyone else autistic. I think Johanna got that and I don't think she's offended, being an actual Aspie. In fact, far from freaking out at you or me, she's probably quite a deep person to have kicked butt and taken names through her life despite her challenges, which is great. But she and me and everyone else on here are only people, not Zeus on a cloud. I've taken a few of the lightning bolts from the trigger happy and I promise it really isn't so bad. Let a few people squee at you if they're having a trashy moment, you know? We're all human.
As for feeling offended about people misspelling your name, I think that's more of a cultural shock, not a sign of anything problematic towards or with you. So don't stress on that either. Try reveling in the fact that you don't have to be a big important writer on here, you know> it's no wonder that being from Edinburgh as compared to casual middle American culture and on top of a vastly informal internet, you're pondering on the true meaning of what people really mean on here. It probably just makes you thoughtful!
Getting used to sea of people on the internet means becoming ok with not knowing who the other person is. You just have to give up on the backdrop of familiarity for interpreting what they've said. It's probably pretty normal to feel exposed because you can't see who's watching, when in truth they're probably a lot like you.
The one really interesting thing about people on here is that at some point we all went, why is this guy familiar? And we looked him up on IMDB and went "No way... the Sheriff and the guy from Galaxy Quest and the guy from Diehard AND Snape are the same person??? Wow, that's amazing." That being said, it probably means the value in a Fan site is as a marker that we all share a similar sense of humor or secret sarcasm or appreciation for really decent acting that hasn't been around much since the days of Peter Cellars in Dr. Strangelove. And that's a commonality between us. So take some comfort.
As for people going psycho every now and again, hey, what are you going to do? Sometimes people forget the value in exploring themes in movies and theater, and is not really achieved when keeping silent and nervous about this absentee landlord persistence of a dear golden movie idol.
You know he told Kate Winslett he'd kill her if she curtseyed to the queen once? I tend to agree with that sentiment.
Of course I might have curtseyed, but I'd also politely speak my mind. This is secretly why grandmothers in the South still send all their offspring to Cotillion every year. It's the ridiculous hope that Fergie will pop in at a luncheon social one day, and they will have more breeding than she does. That's a true story. A grain of salt dear. We're pompous on both side of the Atlantic, you know :)
IDMT
- Wednesday, November 08, 2006 at 09:45:51 PM (EST)
Sheffe: of course you knew that, I was just getting a little tired of people misspelling my name. I don't find it particularly odd or difficult. -- Do you think one can be an autist without being aware of it?? What you say seems to describe me quite well. But I have a rather too vivid imagination for my own good, I suppose. It's a little like the narrator in Three Men in a Boat, who, when reading a medical encyclopedia, "discovers" that he suffers from every illness known to science.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Wednesday, November 08, 2006 at 06:44:11 AM (EST)
Dear Johanna,
I always thought he was just loosening his hand up! But I have seen the self-stimulating behavior you are referring to, and it does look a lot the same.
I'm glad you finally were able to approach him and get your picture!
Sheffe
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA USA - Tuesday, November 07, 2006 at 05:51:19 PM (EST)
Pia Susanna:
I knew it had two "n"s, and don't know why I did that! I apologize.
sorry, Sheffe
P.S. Autistic folks can concentrate on things they like to the exclusion of all else. It's tasks imposed from the outside that are generally difficult for them to concentrate on.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA USA - Tuesday, November 07, 2006 at 05:44:35 PM (EST)
Hi all- Long time listener, first time caller. Or something along those lines. Anyhow, too bad Georgiana is off to London just this particular week, because there is a Seattle screening of PERFUME tomorrow, Wed. Nov. 8th, at 7pm at the Pacific Place downtown with the Director in attendance. To sign up, you'll need to join thewarrenreport.com, which is well worth it anyway if you live in the area. I'll be checking people in at tomorrow's event. I'll be (probably the only one) hyperventilating by the entrance. Join me, please! Obsession is more fun with cohorts!
Armenia
Seattle, WA - Tuesday, November 07, 2006 at 02:54:45 PM (EST)
Hi everyone-its been ages since I've posted here! Just wanted to see if I could get in and say hi to you all. Thanks so much for posting all the great articles etc. I have watched Sense and Sensibility for the millioneth time!! (LOL) It gets better every time!!! Have a good autumn season everyone-will drop in again when I have some AR information to relate.
Pam
MA, - Tuesday, November 07, 2006 at 12:57:40 AM (EST)
My husband brought a Friday Nov. 3 USA newspaper home from a trip and listed for release Dec. 27 was Perfume. The only star listed was ALan Rickman! Someone on that paper is obviously an AR fan.
kit
pa usa - Monday, November 06, 2006 at 02:59:30 PM (EST)
PS for Johanna: AR seems so nice, so sweet! He was clearly concerned about you, despite his being very tired himself. He seems a very far cry from the stereotype of the arrogant, narcissistic celebrity.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, November 05, 2006 at 04:01:01 PM (EST)
Sheffe, IDMT & Johanna: thanks for all your interesting comments. I learn so much from this guestbook! "his/her own moment" -- yes, Sheffe, I'm beginning to see what you mean. And I'm sure that Linda in SC is a very privileged autist who copes unusually well with her condition. -- IDMT: mentioning one's anger does make one feel vulnerable, I agree. I have been a control freak, in many ways, and perhaps I still am in some degree. But I have begun to see vulnerability as less negative than I used to. In one sense it would possibly be worse not to be able to feel vulnerable. One wouldn't like to be made of concrete, after all. -- It's quite possible that Rachel Corrie was typical of her generation, as you say -- didn't see it in that light before. And it's indeed hard, if not impossible, to unlearn many things. -- Sorry if I seem petty or, precisely, a control freak, but, Sheffe & IDMT, "Susanna" isn't so hard to spell, is it?? -- Johanna, I'm sorry to say I never had the opportunity to see RHPT, though I have of course read quite a lot about it. I find it intriguing that you recognize yourself in some respects in the Sheriff, or AR:s interpretation of that role. -- Much of what you and others say/write about autism seems to describe me, which is odd, but on the other hand I'm not easily distracted from what I'm doing, quite the contrary. I can sit reading or writing at noisy cafés, because as soon as I start working I manage to screen off the noise. But my impulse is always to see "odd" behaviour as normal. I distrust notions of normal behaviour -- having suffered a lot from such things myself, especially during my teens. -- I found the photo lovely; your tension and AR:s post-performance fatigue don't really show. No wonder you were nervous. And surely anyone could get panic attacks? I sometimes get them in lifts/elevators, crowds, small rooms without windows (claustrophobia).
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, November 05, 2006 at 03:54:21 PM (EST)
pia susanna, I feel like an ambassador now for autism/Asperger's Syndrome clearing up popular misconceptions. I see things quite different than others. Did you ever notice how in RH:PoT AR wiggles the fingers on his left hand before the sword fight at the end? I noticed because I do the same thing. It probably counts as stimming (stereotypy or self-stimulatory behavior often seen in autism).
The photo with AR came out great considering how tired and weary he looked and how nervous I was. I actually saw the play two nights in a row and the photo was taken the second night. The first night I was too shy and nervous to approach AR myself and hid behind my sister while my mom and sister got his autograph for me. I wasn't scared of him but being in NYC vying for attention is very over-stimulating and nerve-wracking when you have Asperger's and panic attacks. It was so frustrating how I just couldn't talk to him and I was trying to keep calm and not have a panic attack. AR seemed rather bemused and concerned by me; he kept checking on me and signed all the photos I brought. Before he got into the car, he stopped and came back over to me. The second night he finally recognized me when my sister asked if we could get a picture. I think he was happy that I was able to approach him finally.
Johanna <joschroth@gmail.comfoo>
Baton Rouge, LA - Saturday, November 04, 2006 at 07:22:14 PM (EST)
Thanks for your sympathy. I think the portraits are not on show because of a big David Hockney exhibition. Ah well...
Barbara
NZ - Saturday, November 04, 2006 at 03:55:21 AM (EST)
Barbara: That's really a shame. They should have those out where they can be enjoyed.
Pia Susana: Anger and it's expression are at the heart of so many problems. It's difficult to express and deal with it in a mature way for women and men both in our society, I think, but most women are trained from girlhood to suppress it and pretend it's not there. But we know it's there! It's hard to unlearn what's been drilled in.
IDMT: Making my post any longer would not make it clearer, unhappily. It's so hard to describe autism--it's a disorder unique in each individual that has it, and really hard to get the feel of without actually spending time at least observing. ( Even then I don't know so much, only scratched the surface.)
Sheffe
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA USA - Friday, November 03, 2006 at 11:45:15 PM (EST)
Barbara, how frustrating! I had just looked this up (for you!) and found that there are indeed two such portraits, one drawing, one print, at the National Portrait Gallery. Why not show them to the public? Considering AR's huge following, it seems rather silly not to do so.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Friday, November 03, 2006 at 04:35:58 PM (EST)
Hi Suzanne, I am currently preparing a proposal to bring MNIRC to a theatre here in Lehigh Valley. I could use your advice in several matters. Could you please send me your personal e-mail address so we may correspond. Thank you.
Jayne <jaal128@hotmail.comfoo>
Coopersburg, Pa - Friday, November 03, 2006 at 07:29:05 AM (EST)
My trip to London is getting close but i have just checked out the two portraits of AR at National Portrait Gallery and neither are on display. Now that's a bummer. Just had to share with you my disappointment
Barbara
Wellington, NZ - Friday, November 03, 2006 at 03:03:17 AM (EST)
Pia Susana, I think you bring up a really interesting point about how feminism and mysogany still effect how women learn to understand themselves. I understand what you mean about the difficulty in even mentioning your anger. It's a balance of personal power, and when you admit your anger to someone, you also admit a weakness that is possible to exploit, which isn't always good to have hanging over you in passive-gressive situations. I still reserve that sort of intimacy for a trusted few people in my life. People who can express their vulnerabilities are either impulsive and still hiding their true thoughts or else have come to terms and grown very brave by it. By contrast talking about politics or remote and personally-removed themes in theater is the arms-length entertainment, isn't it?
I live in a generation that was raised by parents who came of age during Vietnam, so in a lot of ways I think we are viewed as the prototype batch No. 2 straight out of the oven anyway. At the same time, a lot of the initial misdirected anger from the generations coming of age in the nineties has settled with the dust of many political flashpoints of that time. But I think Rachel Corrie may have been part of this movement anyway. They were the first wave of Alices who were partaking in a new wonderland of teacups, some of them molatov flavored.
I can almost see Rachael's mother wringing her hands, but determined to support Rachel when she does something daring. On that level I think the play is excellent modern comentary. It nails the conflict between mothers who want their girls to grow up strong and brave and take on many of the admired traits previously reserved for masculine gener roles, but that also want to keep girls protected and meek, especially should they wander beyond the insular bubble of a first world nation, and out to where things aren't as childproofed. It's the same ethical dilemma of deploying troops in Iraq or Vietnam.
Sheffe, thanks for the long and insightful post. I really hope you aren't editing down too much, as having more threads going simultaneously from great people is a small price to pay for giving us all more topics to choose from, and your insights are very useful.
IDMT
- Friday, November 03, 2006 at 12:57:00 AM (EST)
It might even be argued that acting as a profession is a continuation of childhood make-believe.
I think that's the most enjoyable part of acting. Don't know what AR thinks. He says he wants to tell a story, but there's a difference between writing it and acting it.
And Sheffe: To me, "child-like" is such a positive word that I couldn't possibly use it for such cases as those you describe.
I see what you mean. I include other aspects of children being children in that term as well.
And, yes, Linda in SC is of course high-functioning (hope that's the correct term). "Very verbal", I think her neighbour (Maggie) calls her.
That would mean she functions well in the world, and has good verbal communication skills too.
You say that your present definition of an autist would be somebody "living completely in his/her own moment". I'm not sure I quite understand what this means -- could you please explain?
I'll try. Autistic kids have all sorts of things going through their minds all the time--many of them are very easily distracted from outside tasks, like cats are by dust motes. The things that are very real, intense, and present to them at any given moment can be inside their minds, and may be completely invisible and/or incomprehensible to someone on the outside trying to figure out what's going on in there. ( I remember one mother of an autistic boy posting here in frustration about her son being really great at video games but unable to figure out that he needs to go use the bathroom. She thought that this might end up being more "Hollywood " autism, sugar-coating a problem that's usually much worse for the people who have it.)
Would this describe Linda, too? Alex's problem is more that he lives too much in his past.
I haven't seen the movie yet. But from what I've read about it, she is definitely at the top end of autism. Mostly she functions in the world without help, and can communicate. A lot of the kids I see are never going to get that good, and are going to keep disappearing into their own worlds. Those are the moments I see them living in, and they don't necessarily have a connected story of life on the outside like we have. To me it seems that when they meet the outside, they don't have a lot of expectations or fantasies about it--they just deal with it as it is; seems like maybe that's what Linda does too.
Apologies for the length of this!
Sheffe
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA USA - Thursday, November 02, 2006 at 10:44:23 PM (EST)
Julia: Yes, aggression is a thorny problem for women -- perhaps for men, too, but then, I suppose, in other ways. Sometimes one needs to weep, but tears as a substitute for anger is of course frustrating. My own problem is more that I don't wish to show anything at all, that I try to play it cool. In the past there have been terrible results in the form of psychosomatic difficulties -- cramps, aches. I try to face my own anger now, without becoming "hysterical" (a sexist word, to be sure)on the slightest provocation. I have known too many people who have done that. At present I find it best to MENTION my anger when it seems justified. I've still not found any good way of showing it. To be able to mention it means that I have gained some confidence. An interesting point, that AR in his various roles doesn't normally behave aggressively in any macho way. Perhaps most of his characters are too complicated for that? I see his delight in roller-coasters as typically child-like. And he looks as if he were enjoying himself in that photo where he is standing on a desk in a classroom, posing as a schoolboy, spit-ball and all. It might even be argued that acting as a profession is a continuation of childhood make-believe.
-- And Sheffe: To me, "child-like" is such a positive word that I couldn't possibly use it for such cases as those you describe. And, yes, Linda in SC is of course high-functioning (hope that's the correct term). "Very verbal", I think her neighbour (Maggie) calls her. You say that your present definition of an autist would be somebody "living completely in his/her own moment". I'm not sure I quite understand what this means -- could you please explain? Would this describe Linda, too? Alex's problem is more that he lives too much in his past.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Thursday, November 02, 2006 at 08:55:57 AM (EST)
A Happy Halloween to you, Suzanne, and to all Rickmaniacs.
Renie
- Wednesday, November 01, 2006 at 12:05:22 AM (EST)
I have had a very interesting time in the autistic classrooms in our local school districts. The woman Sigourney is playing is very high-functioning--I think only a few of the kids I've met will get as good as our better than her at coping with the world. A lot of times the child-like quality is that in many ways they are functioning at the level of a much younger person than they are, like having the emotional control of a six-month-old at the age of ten, or at that age or older still needing a diaper.
My personal working definition of autism, at the moment, is that each of these persons is living completely in his/her own moment, and the rest of us have a hard time figuring out what that moment is.
I have mixed feelings about medications. I think, frequently, that they are given out too quickly with too little testing and consideration. However, there are kids who simply cannot sit still and focus without taking something. Sometimes a person's own personal chemicals are just not all they should be, and drugs really are the answer. Using them as a magic bullet to fix what some fool thinks isn't "normal" is like tasering a kid for having a tantrum--massive overkill. Shouldn't happen to a dog, let alone a sensitive child.
Happy Halloween, Sheffe
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA USA - Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at 10:40:06 PM (EST)
Pia Susanna, you really got me thinking with your comment about expressing anger in a "feminine" way. In real life, I've been discussing female aggression a lot (my best friend is a psychologist) so it clicked with me. Whever I get angry, I tend to cry, which is very counterproductive, but I see it a lot in AR films - Emma Thompson and Juliet Stevenson do this, in particular. Then I was recalling how AR portrays anger, and it occurs to me that he doesn't much go in for the "typical" macho way of becoming angry. It makes him a good foil for that reason, I guess - is that why he's never the Bruce Willis-type hero? ;-)
Julia
Canada - Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at 07:12:32 PM (EST)
Martha, thank you for your moral support and your perceptive comments.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at 04:49:12 PM (EST)
Fausta - Thank you for all your hard work on the Review! That was the first AR site I found. I'm glad Suzanne is taking over the hosting. Lots of wonderful stuff there!
pia susanna - What a shame to tell a child that they notice the "wrong" things. If we could all retain that degree of observation, how much richer would our lives be? I have a friend who is a cross-dresser and likes to wander around malls while dressed up. He says no one ever looks at him twice - except the children. One child, about 5 or 6, gave him one look, tugged his Mommy's hand and asked, "Mommy, why is that man dressed like a lady?" He about died. It is the children who see what is there, not what has been filtered through adult perceptions and "training" to notice the "right" things.
martha
maine, - Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at 09:41:03 AM (EST)
Sheena: Your arguments almost convinced me. But I can't help still hoping that some (mild and respectful) fan pressure might at least help AR change his mind re Shakespeare. -- Johanna: Many thanks for straightening things out. You probably find me very ignorant. An interesting take on RHPT! I can well understand that Asperger's is tough to live with. Though people considered apple-pie normal (isn't that an Americanism?) may sometimes behave similarly. Also I have been known to throw things when angry, although this kind of behaviour hasn't been very common, in my case. It isn't that I'm perfectly normal, though I'm considered to be so, or that I have the patience of a saint, it's more that I'm rather bad at showing anger in any way, perhaps a feminine problem. The photo of yourself and AR is beautiful; both of you look quite happy and relaxed. Thanks for sharing it with us.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at 08:31:54 AM (EST)
Well Snapes_Witch, all I can tell you is that Jack told me we would need 10's of thousands of signatures at least (hundreds of thousands would be better), so we have a long way to go. All we can do is publicise it and get as many people to sign it as we can. :-) Genuine signatures only though, we need it to be taken seriously.
I am not sure if Mike has given up the idea of a remake, but even if he hasn't there is no reason for it to stop this one being released. There are two versions of the Exorcist prequel made and released "Dominion" and "Exorcist: The Beginning" they both even had cast members in common and storyline in common, just shot from different points of view by different directors. They both did just as well at the cinema and they have both been released on DVD. So why not two versions of "The Search for John Gissing", we know which one would sell the best ;-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
UK - Monday, October 30, 2006 at 06:34:06 PM (EST)
I signed the original Gissing petition, but haven't signed this one yet. How many signatures are enough? How can we ever get the large no. of signatures to make an impression? At least I'm glad Binder has apparently given up on making a new movie. Why go to the expense of a new production when you've already got the original in the can?
snapes_witch
- Monday, October 30, 2006 at 06:10:18 PM (EST)
Pia Susanna, I didn't think you meant to imply autism is an illness. It's considered a developmental disability so I don't think it's a pathological condition. It does seem that a lot of creative people view and experience the world in a more child-like manner. I've always felt that AR's performance in RH: PoT is rather child-like. His physical reactions when upset like stabbing the wooden table with a knife and grunting are reminiscent of the difficulty in expressing emotions in Asperger's. I used to watch RH: PoT all the time enjoying watching someone who acted like me even if it was exaggerated. I have to be careful about not saying whatever pops into my head lest I be considered rude and impolite and have been known to throw things when upset. Sometimes it's just easier to grunt at people then to express yourself verbally.
My photo with AR
Johanna <joschroth@gmail.comfoo>
Baton Rouge, LA - Monday, October 30, 2006 at 05:43:39 PM (EST)
Hi Snapes_Witch, no the John Gissing movie isn't a dead issue. The last contact I had with Jack Binder did suggest that if we could get enough signatures there may still be a chance. Unfortunately a lot of fans just haven't signed or don't want to sign, so I guess it is up to them if they want the film or not. I have publicised it as much as I can on websites for the main stars etc... the rest is up to the fans. Genuine signatures only please as both Jack and Mike Binder have the petition address (so they can keep an eye on it if they want to) and Jack Binder has signed it himself.
If people want to know the status of the petition they are always free to email me which is why my contact details are on the petition itself. Afraid I don't always have time to visit this guestbook to answer queries.
Pia Susanna, not sure if a petition to get Alan Rickman to perform Shakespeare would work. After all he would have to want to do it and if he wants to do it I am sure he still gets offers or could make it known he is available to do it. Therefore (IMO) the only person stopping him from performing Shakespeare is the man himself, and I doubt a petition would change his mind if he doesn't want to do it. ;-)
Hope that helps :-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
UK - Monday, October 30, 2006 at 09:46:09 AM (EST)
IDMT, many thanks for being kind, encouraging and understanding! I hope and believe that you're right in what you say. But -- sorry of course about my ignorance -- what exactly is String Theory? A little inspiring name, it seems. Researchers outside the academies may feel freer because they don't have to worry about where their next grant is going to come from, or how to keep the bureaucrats happy. -- The first paragraph of your post is intriguing; perhaps the rest of us could suggest continuations of the story?? --
snapes_witch: I don't know if the JG petition serves any purpose now. What do the rest of you think? I have signed it, of course, as most of you probably have. -- What about ANOTHER petition -- one to persuade AR to appear in a Shakespeare play again? It's such a pity that AR dropped the Bard because of negative reviews of his own performance in A&C. Or wasn't that the reason? -- Johanna, it would be lovely to see the picture of yourself and AR.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, October 30, 2006 at 08:36:43 AM (EST)
Why are we still promoting the John Gissing petition? Isn't the movie a dead issue? Just curious.
snapes_witch
- Monday, October 30, 2006 at 04:28:31 AM (EST)
Oh, that's wierd. I wonder where the paragraph at the top of my post came from?
IDMT
- Sunday, October 29, 2006 at 08:08:59 PM (EST)
Then she remembered the cozy deerskins and warm glow of the fireplace where Aiyana nursed her cooking fire and made tea and good things to eat, and Elsivere decided it might not have been such a bad place to visit after all. Who were Aiyana's people? And where had they gone? Or were there more in their perfectly hidden root houses of other islands that they did not see?
Looks like we've solved that mystery! Thank you McRickman... and your little side of fries, too. And what sort of happy meal toy WOULD he come with? Discussions? There, that's on topic enough, isn't it?
The truth is we don't like the idea that children aren't equal in all ways because so much of society really believes we are value rated by the size of our GPA. Admitting this competiton to children early on can burn them out so that they don't try, and then we lose many potential successes because they were truthfully told "no you can't" based on their early developmental predispositions. But to judge an under-developed person is bad policy. (And on what scale if they are only developing?)
Added the huge burden home and family life troubles will have on the academic abilities of kids and it's almost a double punishment of having to deal with bad things at home, only to have to be blamed for them as a formalized (and finalized) "condition" at school. Typically this becomes a ploy to avoid the need for social services come in and take care of the unmet basic needs (emotional and physical) children need in order to focus, often times with foster families.
You look at Einstein and Tesla and Turing who were all able to solve these profoundly beneficial equations which gifted mathematicians and scientists before were not able to touch, and you can see they did so because they approached from a completely indirect background to get us over the wall.
So in that sense, it's desperately important to step back when we look at pharmacutical solutions to the differing needs of children. It's very dangerous to blot out the square pegs on the round board with gobs of medication and stigmatizing labels that pacify them into not overcoming. It will be worthwhile to really encourage the irregulars in order to continue advancing sciences where a saturation of like-minded individuals is out of echoing advancements.
String Theory in Physics research is a good example. It appears to be bunk, but the pool of interested and capable mathematicians who would like to try other theories is diminishing due to peer pressure from the String Theorists to conform to this dead end branch of research, citing that everyone's grant now depends on ST, and to have it fall out of vogue would be damaging to the placements of many well-connected people.
The next physicist to advance us will likely be very Einstein-like in that they will be an outsider who has been free to develop their own theories with little or no expectation or manipulation from the present physicists in residence.
Einstein's teachers thought he was a complete waste of space. His father in law could barely keep him employed he was so off topic. Tesla went crazy. Turing ate a poisoned apple has was so turned off by people's treatment of him. Balanced? No. Easily predictable/treatable/understandable in context of present psychological norms? No. Needed in society? Yes.
Pia Susanna, you shouldn't worry about what other anonymous readers think of your IQ or your ego. Curl up with some Ayn Rand or some old Stan Freeberg and worry not on all the possible Sophistry others may kick up.
A good Rickman quote somewhere went along the lines of "Audiences now have much less inclination to make the effort" (paraphrased) and I think that's true.
But you know, if you just go along and expect that effort from them, the ones who can, will, and greatly appreciative your invitation for doing so, and the ones who don't will get frustrated, and if you're lucky one day they might experience the reward of trying not to hang others with the vageries of symantics, but learn to instead think on how what you say could be true.
And award winning or not, nobody is expected to spell accurately on a forum. I bet you're a beautiful poet and I'd love to read your writings some time.
IDMT
- Sunday, October 29, 2006 at 06:18:15 PM (EST)
Okay, I was just reading an article about the old, scary movies... it inspired me to look up images of the original scary monsters. Check out photo number 11 of Bela Lugosi on the imdb website - Bela is wearing a Derby, and I did a double-take! Alan Rickman really resembles him there. This is not a full look-alike situation, but they do resemble one another somewhat.
Oscarthemouse
- Sunday, October 29, 2006 at 04:59:44 PM (EST)
Many thanks for your thoughtful comments, Johanna and IDMT. Sorry, Johanna, for implying that autism is an illness -- I know far too little about these things. Would it be okay to label autism a pathological condition? Or what? I regard "child-like" as a positive term, almost a compliment. I distrust normal adult society profoundly, and believe that many creative and artistic people are child-like (which brings us back to AR -- surely he has certain child-like traits?). Thanks for your praise, IDMT; I felt afraid I was just going to be seen as indulging in some ego-tripping . . . I was ALSO, oddly enough perhaps, considered to be a gifted child. Yes, Linda's snow figure building is moving, and shows that she does grieve, in her own way. -- What you say about OT subjects and this GB is something I can identify with, especially as I've just been reading parts of the Archives of this GB from 2002. It seemed to be a bit livelier four years ago, for good and bad!
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, October 29, 2006 at 08:12:45 AM (EST)
IDMT, I think that it does mean you're autistic for noticing his head bouncing like a bouncing chicken mcnugget. It will become the new standard. *laughs*
Johanna <joschroth@gmail.comfoo>
Baton Rouge, LA - Saturday, October 28, 2006 at 11:24:21 PM (EDT)
There does seem to be a lot of subjective claim to where the line is drawn on outside contributing factors. It shoud be on a personal basis, but also with the consent of the person involved. I don't believe in forcing children to take meds, and there is some research going on right now that indicates an increase in suicide for teens who are thrown pills because they are cheaper and quicker than adiquate counceling. But autism seems to be an extremely complicated event that goes far beyond depression.
Weaver did a great job expressing the body language of someone who is not predisposed to seeing herself in a self-conscious way. Most people have to push very hard to be able to cut off and pay no attention to the outside social events (and cues) around them so it was balancing to see the joy it was able to bring her, though it also isolated her from the ability to grieve in the traditional sense of a social setting. While she was crippled from her almost prissy, rigid abhorrence towards a lot of daily chores she found repulsive, there was a lot of proactive thinking and self-reliance going on that enabled her to be very strong about the loss of her child on what most psychologists consider a very sophisticated level. Denial aside, she was able to focus her grief on something constructive. "I think every time I miss Vivian, I'm going to build the craziest snomwan I can!" I thought that was beatiful. Another good line is when Rickman is crumpled and Weaver suddenly becomes the parent and tells him exactly what he needs to hear. "Vivian is gone, I can't bring her back. It's not your fault."
She thinks he's upset about the tea being wrong because in her world keeping a steady baseline of things which are constant is the most important survival tool she has when everything else is very blindingly intense. She gives this beautiful, reassuring truth as an afterthought to checking on his tea, and treats him as if he is the child for not realizing this deep truth about her loss as so self-evident.
This is why I loved their scenes together because they really work and are powerful and convey a lot of great writing.
And yes, I did notice his head bouncing not unlike a chicken mcnugget more than the georgious Moss during their intimate, though poorly filmed moments. (For all we know Moss just costs too much now with her clothes off.) But you know, it really does look like a bouncing chicken mcnugget from the camera angles... it really really does. Does that make me autistic for noticing?
Pia Susanna, you bring up really insightful points on introspective childhoods.
And off topic or not, what, exactly was this space being used for otherwise? Call me a Merrikin, but isn't a little quiet other times? If people prefer quiet they can always fill the screen with zzzzzz.
Of course, we'll just fill it back up again.
IDMT
- Saturday, October 28, 2006 at 08:50:20 PM (EDT)
You can always email me questions if you feel they are OT. Often those of us with Asperger's are misdiagnosed as ADD in our youth. I myself was put on ritalin and dexedrine which did nothing. We have problems with sensory integration; we don't filter out data well so it all bombards us at once. It's like not being able to focus on a speaker in a noisy crowd. We also tend to notice details and get focused on them rather than the overall picture. My feeling is what is considered not normal is when it interferes with your functioning. Getting bored in a lecture is normal; being not able to focus when you want to and keep up to what is going on is not normal. Autism is not a disease so Linda would not be considered ill. From what I've read and my experience, autistics are more child-like in thought and behavior. I think it has to with our brains not being as interconnected as normal adults; it's like our brain stopped developing at a young age before it should. I'm sure that they don't show all of Linda's difficulties in the trailer.
Johanna <joschroth@gmail.comfoo>
Baton Rouge, LA - Saturday, October 28, 2006 at 07:08:00 PM (EDT)
"walking", not "walkig", of course. Sorry.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Saturday, October 28, 2006 at 09:02:01 AM (EDT)
Johanna, thanks for your post. You say you're willing to answer questions; I thought one or two of mine should be emailed directly to you, as I at first believed they must be considered OT. But then, thinking of SC, I changed my mind . . . I've read about Asperger's, namely, an article about a female university student who was supposed to suffer from this. She said herself that she found it so hard to concentrate on boring lecturers; she would notice the "wrong" things, like their looks, clothes, voices, or she would look out of the window, deciding that the tree outside was a horse chestnut . . . that kind of thing. My first thought was that anybody who ever listened to a boring lecturer would surely recognize this. I felt quite angry that the student had been labelled as a pathological case -- perhaps I was wrong in this. And I remembered that I as a small child was often accused, by certain well-meaning adults, of noticing the wrong things. I don't and didn't regard myself as ill in any way. When walkig to school, for instance, I always looked around, noticing birds, plants, people, and so forth. I was told I should march straight ahead, not look or listen around, as was my habit. I was never late for school, so I didn't see what the fuss was about. -- Today I'm a published (and award-winning) poet, and much later in life I got a little of my own back when critics began to praise my noticing details ("great powers of observation" and suchlike) that most people don't see or hear or smell or feel at all . . . So my question is something like: where to draw the line between normal and not-normal? Who decides what we are to notice and not to notice? Linda in SC seems to me more child-like than ill in many ways. (I've only seen the trailer.) Is she, possibly, regarded as a pathological case partly BECAUSE she is child-like?? A horrible thought. (I hated growing up, myself.)
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Saturday, October 28, 2006 at 08:53:49 AM (EDT)
hello all, just a quick note
if anyone in Ottawa is near a place that has the BYETOWN cinema newspaper, you should pick up the latest copy November/December issue.
On page 6 there is a review of Snow Cake and there's two pick of OUR MAN Mr. Rickman , very yummy. Just thought you should all know. take care.
Lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Friday, October 27, 2006 at 09:51:20 PM (EDT)
From another planet is an interesting analogy.
I find this subject fascinating. My grandmother has neurological difficulties, many similar to Aspbergers. The tools used at her birth were not properly sterilized. They expected her to be a vegetable if she lived, yet she survived with no noticable defect until years later when she was suddenly hit by migranes that soon became seizures. She's been studied at several locations due to her remarkable recovery, but these days she also displays signs of Aspbergers. Most people seem to mistake it for early onset dimensia, but it's too targeted. We've worked with a lot of health care personnel to try and figure out what will work best for her, especially as she gets older and cannot do things precisely the way she wants them. It's my understanding that is a frustrating side of people with Aspbergers. (?) It could even be considered kind of pigish in the way she does not accept anything less.
I don't know, I find it kind of admirable. But yes, I can see her getting run over with a bulldozer by standing in the way of a man who had not rinsed out his coffee mug and dired the sink properly before leaving the house. We would of course have disconnected the jumper cables ahead of time, but we're that sort of family. Southerers embrace the challenge of their more colorful relations. No Uncle Crazy hidden in the attic for us.
Also note the article in last week's Economist with the theory that television viewing increases the likelihood of Autism. I think the data says upper middle class educated people get their kids diagnosed more than other sectors, but the fact that someone spent time researching in that direction is interesting. Maybe the lack of two-way interaction has something to do with children internalizing who are already predisposed.
Mostly I remain skeptical about the diagnosis craze going on as a cover for institutionalized crowd management. We owe public school attendees a better shot over a bottle of pills.
...They only sell them to the drama kids for cigarette money.
IDMT
- Friday, October 27, 2006 at 09:18:15 PM (EDT)
I thought that's what he meant but have never heard that phrase before. Yes, it is very difficult feeling like you're on the wrong planet. I'd be happy to answer any questions or give you the Aspie point of view.
I did see him in Pvivate Lives and could be persuaded to post my picture with him.
Johanna <joschroth@gmail.comfoo>
Baton Rouge, LA - Friday, October 27, 2006 at 08:04:13 PM (EDT)
Johanna, I think he meant it's a difficult condition to live with. I suppose this is true, but you would know.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Friday, October 27, 2006 at 04:04:11 PM (EDT)
Could someone explain to me what Alan says/means in an interview about Snow Cake by CBS News when he says Sigourney Weaver was told to not forget to show what a pig it is?
I'm very exicited about Snow Cake since I am fan with Asperger's Syndrome, a form of high functioning autism.
Johanna <joschroth@gmail.comfoo>
Baton Rouge, LA - Friday, October 27, 2006 at 02:26:32 PM (EDT)
For a visit to London, I recommend the National Theatre bookshop. They have had postcards of Mr. Rickman and Ms. Mirren from A&C for sale (back wall). I was able to watch a (very bad) video recording of A&C at the National Archives--by special arrangement. The business at the end with the asp looked like it should have been captioned, "I'm melting..." The Royal Court also has an excellent bookshop--with playscripts of MNiRC--which can, I believe, also be purchased at the National. Just a few obvious items...
Georgiana (I'll be in London for a couple of weeks in November)
Seattle - Thursday, October 26, 2006 at 09:31:08 PM (EDT)
Thanks pia susanna for your ideas. Most definitely try to see the theatre museum before it moves from the Covent Garden site. A bit of an odd building wasn't it but full of treasures. I have also quite by accident found that the National Theatre has an archives with some videos of performances and am going to book a time to see Antony and Cleopatra with AR and Helen Mirren.
Barbara
NZ - Thursday, October 26, 2006 at 06:10:09 PM (EDT)
Thanks, Glowbox! What kind of awards are these? I don't know anything about them. -- ACC: yes, from what I've read, RC thought/hoped that her status as a US citizen, and also as white (and blonde?) would or might protect her. She was of course wrong. It's possible that her attempt to save those people should be called naive. I believe she was quite sincere and acted in good faith. I've seen the play.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Thursday, October 26, 2006 at 04:54:21 PM (EDT)
I think only a very naive individual would think that being an American would make one anything but a target-did Rachel think she was protected by being an American? Perhaps someone who saw the play and read the emails would be better suited to answer that question. I do know that a burnt flag doesn't offer much protection.
ACC
- Thursday, October 26, 2006 at 01:41:39 PM (EDT)
Photos from Masquerade Awards
Glowbox
France - Thursday, October 26, 2006 at 09:58:01 AM (EDT)
Julia: thank you for the info. Barbara, please take note! Best perhaps to contact either museum once you've arrived in London -- supposing you'd be interested, of course. Roxane: thanks for the link. I'm afraid I've been put off Perfume now; the bit about the cat seems ghastly.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at 05:15:12 PM (EDT)
pia susanna, The Theatre Museum is closing in January, I believe. They are in the process of packing up and moving to the V&A, but the exhibition programme is going ahead as planned - where it will be staged, hasn't been revealed yet (although I suspecct they will use the Costume Court...)
Julia
Canada - Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at 04:12:28 PM (EDT)
Ladies, thank you all for the posts, they are super!
By the way, I haven't seen here any new photos yet which represent Alan and Megan attending Patti Lupone event. So, there are good photos on WireImage and GettyImages now. Just write "Alan Rickman"!
Sincerely yours
Yulia
- Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at 11:12:19 AM (EDT)
Barbara, there are, I think, TWO pictures of AR in the National Portrait Gallery -- could anybody confirm this? You may also go to the Theatre Museum at Covent Garden, while that Museum is still there. AR was one of the people who, earlier this year, on a rather high-profile occasion, tried to save the Theatre Museum. I read recently in (I believe) The Independent that the Museum will probably have to close in any case, though not, it seems, as early as this year. When and if it does, its contents will be displayed at the Victoria and Albert Museum instead (an interesting place to visit in any case -- well, you may know that already!). -- And, if you could afford it, why not have dinner at some place where AR has been spotted, like Swiss Cottage, or the Cipriani, in Mayfair? I suppose one has to book a table.
-- And ACC: why do you think that Rachel Corrie made a mistake? I believe it was a calculated risk: she thought the bulldozer would stop for her; she was wrong. Had she been right, lives would have been saved. To me, this was a very courageous thing to do.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at 08:57:56 AM (EDT)
AR pals Sigourney Weaver and Juliet Stevenson have roles in Infamous, which opened in NYC on Oct. 10. I see Getty pics of Sigourney arriving at the premiere but none of teh Man. Was he lying low lest the controversy over mnirc draw too much attention to him and take away from the actors in Infamous? Or maybe he was just busy with mnirc gearing up for its official opening night. The reviewer on npr's Fresh Air praised SW and called JS "divine."
Aurora
- Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at 08:41:14 AM (EDT)
The funny thing about being an American is the right that will grant others to burn your flag in front of you -- so you know it's still there.
IDMT
- Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at 01:14:13 AM (EDT)
Perhaps Rachel should have had a sit down with Jane Fonda about doing stupid things in one's youth. Im sorry that she didn't have a lifetime to try to undo that particular mistake.
ACC
- Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at 12:08:56 AM (EDT)
Here's an article I found at reuters.com (it has spoilers). "Perfume" has sweet smell of success
Roxane
CA - Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at 11:22:48 PM (EDT)
I am going to London end of November for family reasons. I hope to do my usual round of museums, theatres etc but please fellow AR fans..any tips on AR related places I must see. I think there is a drawing in National Portrait Gallery? Anything to buy at RADA? Advice would be appreciated.
Barbara
NZ - Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at 08:12:45 PM (EDT)
Hear, hear! (re Ali-Pat).
What is "a mock U.S. flag" anyway? In the pictures, it doesn't look much like the stars and stripes . . . (re Robin).
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Monday, October 23, 2006 at 04:29:24 PM (EDT)
photo of rachel corrie burning mock american flag
Robin
- Monday, October 23, 2006 at 02:22:52 PM (EDT)
A delightful Rickman filled weekend! I watched a very chopped up version of HPCoS on Saturday, the entire unchopped up no commercial Sense and Sensibilty Sunday afternoon, and later, while attempting to nap with the cat on my lap, ran into January Man! Added to Dogma later this week and HPPoA next Saturday, I may have my Rickman "dose" this week. (I know I own all these films, but it's special when they are broadcast!)
kit
pa usa - Monday, October 23, 2006 at 12:51:43 PM (EDT)
Fausta, so sorry to hear you are hanging up your webmistress robe for good! I have enjoyed your site for many years and have referred to it time after time. Thanks for all the great info...and recipes!
Suzanne, thanks ever so much for hosting the Rickmanista Review. I am glad to hear that great repository will have such a good home. Many, many thanks!
Everyone, I have been enjoying all the excellent discussion about MNiRC. I still maintain that those who are so adamantly opposed to it have just never read it. It is the story of one idealistic young woman and her view of the world, not a diatribe against one side or the other. Also, anyone who has followed AR's work in theatre over the years would not be one bit surprised at the way the piece is constructed. Our Alan has never been one to settle for the tried and true!
Glad to hear that the run of the play has been extended. I urge anyone who is able to make the trip to go to NYC and see it. You also have a chance to see it this spring when the Seattle Rep does it (Mar/April, I think).
A good week to all!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Monday, October 23, 2006 at 09:45:18 AM (EDT)
Fuasta, thank you for your site and all the work you have done over the years! I have spent many happy hours there.
martha, your Q&A with Katherine Viner is very revealing. Thanks for sharing that. I agree with you and idmt that MNiRC is deliberately left a little disconnected. It's up to the viewer to assemble the pieces into a whole s/he sees. As for the form, AR seems to like experimental formats, not to remain with just the traditional.
Minghella fans? He's directing
Madame Butterfly at the Met in NYC. Story on npr today.
Aurora
- Sunday, October 22, 2006 at 06:56:20 PM (EDT)
Georgiana, good to see you are still hanging about, and also good to hear about the extension-I had a ticket to the first showing, but a bout of bronchitis used up all my vacation and money, so perhaps I will get another chance before the end of the year. I had so wanted to see Mr. Rickman in person, but doubt that he will be around for each and every performance!
A Rickman Admirer
- Sunday, October 22, 2006 at 06:19:55 PM (EDT)
Update:
Suzanne generously offered to host the Review! It'll be still available, thanks to her kindness.
Fausta <fmrlw@hotmail.comfoo>
- Sunday, October 22, 2006 at 06:14:58 PM (EDT)
Fausta, thank you for your site - Rickmanista Review. I have often re-visited it and appreciated it. Best regards.
Barbara
NZ - Sunday, October 22, 2006 at 05:56:37 PM (EDT)
J, it seems that B-Bar in New York has a kind of gay party every Tuesday. I don't know about the other days of the week.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Sunday, October 22, 2006 at 05:06:53 PM (EDT)
Hi all,
I'll be closing up the Rickmanista Review as of December 31 this year. If you'd like to copy and save the pages, please do so since they'll be gone after that.
Many thanks,
Fausta <fmrlw@hotmail.comfoo>
- Sunday, October 22, 2006 at 04:36:54 PM (EDT)
I just re-read the playbill article. They mention that Alan and guests gathered at B-Bar. I just looked it up, isn't it a gay bar?
J
- Sunday, October 22, 2006 at 03:08:54 PM (EDT)
My 2 cents - I also saw the poster at the Gloucester Rd tube st. and am currently trying to obtain it... which is not easy. ))
As for MNiRC I wrote it long ago, but I think right now such a play does not do the purpose and in my opinion there was too much PR (in London) going on.
Meeressternchen
- Sunday, October 22, 2006 at 01:17:28 PM (EDT)
Perhaps this refusal to connect the story lines was purposeful.
I think that is precisely it. AR has said that he thinks the job of theater is not just to entertain, that entertaining is all right as long as you give the audience a slap at some point. He has said he believes that the audience should have to work when they are at the theater. MNiRC certainly makes you do that.
In the review Georgiana linked they say: "My Name is Rachel Corrie" is a modest, intimate solo show dramatizing the beautiful activist's all-too-brief life that, when viewed with a clear head, refuses to take sides. when viewed with a clear head is key here. My impression was that, had the positions been reversed, Rachel would have been defending Israeli homes, and Katherine Viner agreed whole-heartedly when I had the opportunity to ask her. Rachel was fighting what she saw as injustice. She was not fighting for a religion or a cause, she was fighting for human rights. Naïve? Perhaps. But she still had the conviction to act on her beliefs, and to give her life for them.
Thanks for your insightful and articulate post.
martha
maine, - Sunday, October 22, 2006 at 10:39:37 AM (EDT)
I have a hard time considering the show My Name is Rachel Corrie a play. The subject matter of a girl who discovers the helplessness and injustice of military occupation seems like an anchor too heavy to lift in the short span of a play. Such weight leaves some viewers dragged down by the same sense of incompleteness and meaninglessness that the character expresses over entrenched conflict, while others seem almost blissfully unaware of the greater importance of the overall political backdrop, and are able to block out the unfinished business of the setting and focus only on the microcosm of a girl's life in a play.
In the sense there are two basic camps of viewers, and there are also two different plays going on, one light and easy to comprehend, with a bubbly narrator and coming of age life experiences, the other incomplete and rusty-edged, because it incompletely sketches a world outsiders know little about due in large to news and media avoidance. The problem with having these two different plays on top of one another comes from the need for stories to resolve, or if they are not resolved, for the multi-layered story lines to connect to create a greater sense of meaning by the end.
This retelling makes no attempt to assign any meaning or relatable synchronically to the colliding agendas of these two plays, so the ending leaves the viewer with a hollow, senseless, sober view, having lost the heroine in one performance, and having gained no insight into the motivations of the other. While in a way this may be more truly accurate that glossing it all off with an attempt at a superficial and hollow sugar-coating, a better option would be to define the changes in the girl by focusing on the personalities of the people who helped and harmed her in the end. The most meaningful way of portraying that would be to introduce other characters representational of the Israeli soldiers who routinely have to pull one another out of the hands of Palestinian terrorists. It would be helpful to understand this aspect so that people could understand their growing fear and paranoia is largely what creates such a cold and hard regime. Another meaningful step in understanding the shadow of this play is in the introduction of Palestinian refugees who can better represent the dangerous tone of colonialism that Israeli forces are being lured to participate in. There is a whole sub-plot here on fear and frustration, and the overwhelming temptation to retaliate now that they wield the power over their bitter detractors.
Perhaps this refusal to connect the story lines was purposeful. It jars the audience into searching out conclusions and meanings to fill the hole because it knows a heavy-handed approach aimed directly at Israel would not work on anyone who already has a formed opinion on the events being told. Admitting the need to frame the story in the political atmosphere could have actually helped give the play more "Rachel" and less "unfinished tragedy" to use as a handhold in discovering how the audience, vicariously and through the ghost visitation of Rachel in her letters and emails, learns to understand the conflict in which she died.
Of course if they had pushed much harder to introduce more eye witness Palestinian accounts against Israel, no one would have touched this play with a ten foot pole for fear of being black-listed, even if those accounts were tempered with counterpoints of the injustices done to car-bombed school children and murdered grandmothers in Israel that these young Israeli soldiers are pledged to honor.
But if the point of the play was to taunt people into recognizing the serious trouble in that region, which was Rachel's desire and what she ultimately died for, then that mission is accomplished and perhaps she can be better laid to rest having received the sort of support and amplification she was so desperately hunting for in her mission to save one family's house in her lifetime.
IDMT
- Saturday, October 21, 2006 at 12:57:32 PM (EDT)
Back from London where the only AR sighting was the poster for Snowcake, which I saw in the Gloucester Road tube station. Was hoping to catch Juliet Stevenson at a poetry reading at Westminster Abbey, but she pulled out.
For Minghella fans, he will be interviewed on "Breakfast with the Arts" tomorrow morning at 8am EST on A&E--they're covering the Toronto Film Festival in this edition.
Any news about Alan on Broadway this fall??
Slope
Canada - Saturday, October 21, 2006 at 10:17:58 AM (EDT)
Georgiana, what a lovely review! And close to my own thoughts about the play -- yes, it "refuses to take sides", and presents "a tender, haunting portrait" of RC and her "pacifist soul". I also agree that "her motivations are portrayed more as humanitarian than political". Many thanks for the link!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Saturday, October 21, 2006 at 08:56:54 AM (EDT)
Playbill reports that MNiRC has extended its New York run through December 30.
Also from Yahoo News today comes one of--to me--the most spot-on reviews of the play I have seen, this one from Gay City News, which I invite you to read.
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, October 20, 2006 at 09:17:47 PM (EDT)
Oops! A double again. So sorry!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, October 20, 2006 at 08:09:59 AM (EDT)
Again, to me it was a pacifist statement.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, October 20, 2006 at 08:08:08 AM (EDT)
Again, to me it was a pacifist statement.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, October 20, 2006 at 08:07:48 AM (EDT)
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But I'll wager mm hasn't even seen the play. Have you? I have. I am not anti Israel. Nor am I anti Palestine. The play I saw was about a girl's life. Pure and simple.
Liz
NJ - Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 11:24:45 PM (EDT)
fir -
Sorry no other details on my meeting him, I was so ambarassingly nervous that I can barely remember any details as it is. I sure do hope I get to redeem myself someday and not present myself like such a Dork!
Christine
CHRISTINE <cbogannam@comcast.netfoo>
PORTSMOUTH, nh - Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 11:15:56 PM (EDT)
In defense of Mr. Rickman and Ms. Viner, I do not think that they misrepresented or distorted Rachel''s life and cause at all. Mr. Rickman wants Rachel's words (her own words) to speak for themselves. Mr. Rickman is not the one telling the story, Rachel Corrie is the one that is telling of her real life and experiences. People can form their own opinions about her and her choices and involvements. This is one individual's view on the world and what she is seeing around her. Certainly, Rachel's death was tragic, untimely and perhaps foolish. But in no way do I think Mr. Rickman set out to give any distorted view of Rachel. I believe that Rachel Corrie presented Rachel Corrie.
Christine
CHRISTINE <cbogannam@comcast.netfoo>
PORTSMOUTH, nh - Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 11:01:55 PM (EDT)
It is truly a shame that such a successful and presumably intelligent individual would do so much to misrepresent and distort the life and cause of a very misguided and foolish little girl. It is no challenge to tell a story that brings tears to the eye, but the manner in which the story of Rachel Corrie is told is perhaps even more of a distortion of reality than her own immature and manipulated perspective at the time of her own untimely, and foolish death. She was used as a shill for the Palestinian Jihadists then as Mr. Rickman continues to be presently.
Only when we seek the truth though the lies and distortion will any real steps towards peace become possible. Shame on you Mr. Rickman. Shame on you.
mm <saynotojohad@hotmail.comfoo>
toronto, on canada - Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 07:54:11 PM (EDT)
Christine, that is so cool that you went right up to him. Any other details about it? Congratulations!
fir
- Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 11:42:56 AM (EDT)
I just got back from NY from attending the opening night of MNIRC. It was very good. I've read the play prior to attending and it was interesting to watch how it was put together on stage. The video of Rachel at the end made me tear up! I wish I could have seen the collage of Rachel's wall up close. I did notice a picture of Henry Mattise's Blue Nude on it though. I should have just asked afterward! I did have the opportunity to meet Mr. Rickman, I didn't think that I would be nervous, but I was so wrong. I was so nervous to meet my favorite artist that I could barely speak! I told him that I drove down from Maine to see this play and that I've read it. I did feel like a complete dork, as I was about to say something else to him and to give him a book that I thought he might find interesting (written by Louis Mumford) and then someone wisked him away. Well, after some waiting for the right moment that I wouldn't interupt him speaking with anyone else, I was finally able to give him this book plus a little post card of Portsmouth NH that I stuck in there. I told him, my mentor had passed the book along to me and I thought he may enjoy it "from one artist to another'. He was very gracious and thanked me very much for it. I felt like a nervous 10 year old little girl talking to him, and I'm 35! My girlfriend said I was shaking very badly though, I couldn't help it, I'm sure it happens to anyone meeting their favorite artist! I think I was more nervous from fear of bothering him, because he seemed so very busy with many people. All and all it was a great experience. I hope he reads the book, I would love to hear what he thinks. Perhaps our paths will cross again someday.
Christine
CHRISTINE <cbogannam@comcast.netfoo>
PORTSMOUTH, nh usa - Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 05:40:11 PM (EDT)
Glowbox: thanks for the photos. Quite a good one of AR! And Dorothea & Yulia: thank you for laying that unpleasant rumour to rest! I found it on another website yesterday and got worried, especially as AR seems to work so hard.-- He's always very kind to his fans, from what I've read -- bless his heart.
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 04:46:52 PM (EDT)
Hi everyone! Dorothea, glad for you!
pia susanna, actually Alan is in a good health. I heard it from all the people who have seen him recently. At least he looks healthy. And I do trust he will look so for a long time, 100 years approximately. :-)
Aurora, and Renie, thank you for the reports!
And here is a new, not very nice, article
Pause for Pinter: Old Times Plans Nixed
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/102775.html
Um...:-(
Good luck
Yulia Ivaova
- Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 01:26:02 PM (EDT)
Hello,
I am Dorothea from Germany.
I have been lurking around here for a while and want to say thank you very much to everyone who contributes to this fabulous guestbook!!
Pity about the plans with the Rondabout theater.
pia susanna, as far as I know, those rumours were based on a misunderstanding of something that was said about the qualitiy of scripts for films these days. If you are referring to what I think you are, I saw AR on the evening in question and he seemed absolutely healthy and in good spirits. He also was very funny and extremely kind to fans, as usual.
Dorothea
Germany - Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 10:12:42 AM (EDT)
Opening night MNIRC: Photocall
AR lookiing very serious.
Glowbox
France - Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 12:46:22 AM (EDT)
Hi again, It seems that there was a recent rumour that AR:s health wasn't all it should have been. Does anybody here know anything about that?
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Monday, October 16, 2006 at 05:17:31 PM (EDT)
Renie: Thanks for all this! But surely "efficiently directed by Alan Rickman" would be praise in any case? -- I believe I have read somewhere earlier this year, in some MNRC context, that the bit about the tunnels and the arms smuggled through those has been questioned. It's clear, yes, that RC didn't believe in those tunnels. But she might have been right.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Monday, October 16, 2006 at 04:31:13 PM (EDT)
Ali-Pat and Aurora, good for you! Thanks for your posts.
This site has a photo of the MNiRC set I've not seen before. Variety (subscription) has a review called "What's in a 'Name" and here is Ben Brantley from the NY Times. The Times and the SF Chronicle both review Megan Dodds as "uneven", saying that her young Rachel is not as compelling or inhabited as the older Rachel. Newsday used the word boring a few times, and the NY Daily News said it was 'efficiently directed by Alan Rickman", who perhaps might be pleased, since he said he wanted to get out of the way of her words and let them speak for herself.
Snippet from Theatremania's review:
*****WARNING includes some design spoilers*****
"The script is quite poetic, and there's a beauty to Corrie's use of language that is often both jarring and uplifting. Unfortunately, the problem with relying solely on Corrie's own words -- taken from journal entries, letters, and e-mails to friends and family -- is that it fails to provide all of the needed context to understand what Corrie was doing. The excerpts that Rickman and Viner have chosen do not include a clear outline of her agenda in Israel and Palestine, or the specific reasons for why Palestinian homes were being bulldozed. For the record, the Israeli government claims that the targeted homes may have been hiding entrances to underground tunnels utilized by Palestinian terrorists to bring arms into Israel. From what is included within the play, it's clear that Corrie believed the homes she was defending did no such thing. However, for audience members unfamiliar with the back story, this information is necessary to understand why Corrie put her life on the line."
"Rickman, better known as an actor than a director, does a serviceable job staging the play. He incorporates moments of humor to offset some of the more didactic material, such as a scene in which Corrie leaves a phone message for her mother, giving the latter talking points for speaking to the press as if it were a grocery list. Also, several of the stage pictures he sets up are striking. He is supported by a talented design team whose contributions to the production should not be overlooked. First and foremost is Emma Laxton's excellent sound design, which makes the background noises of military conflict an ever present fact of Corrie's existence during her stay in Palestine without overwhelming Dodds as a performer. Hildegard Bechtler's set is dominated by crumbling concrete walls, and in the initial segment of the play, a blood red wall with pictures pasted onto it that represents Rachel Corrie's bedroom. Johanna Town's lighting captures shifts in mood, time, and location, adding significantly to the production's overall ambiance."
Renie
- Monday, October 16, 2006 at 02:00:42 PM (EDT)
Hi Aurora, liked your report-cum-review a lot. Glad you had a good time and that you enjoyed the play. I agree that it's about a young woman's development, but I see it ALSO as a political statement. Nothing crude, to be sure -- no "Palestine good, Israel bad", though the text has of course a critical slant. I saw MNRC as a pacifist, humanistic statement above all. -- I can understand your shyness; never met AR myself, but what could one say except the obvious stuff?? Clearly some people find new questions or opinions, but it must be hard to avoid the "I'm your greatest fan" thing.
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, October 16, 2006 at 08:51:50 AM (EDT)
I just returned from NYC and seeing MniRC. Actually, for some time I thought I might not make it, so it was a relief to get there in the end. I'd heard from other people that the play was moving and well performed. Seeing it in person was more than I expected. I had read it on the plane, so I was re-hearing the words, but with more life in them. For me, the sound effects also added a lot. This may be lack of imagination on my part, but hearing a live person speak, seeing her body language and all, I felt I had a much better sense of the the humor, the relationships, and then the physical sense of fear, noise and sober reflection.
Rachel, as performed by Megan Dodds, reminds me of people I have known. One is a very funny, loud blonde. Others are several young, artistic women who, at their young age, haven't quite found material to write about beyond kind of self-absorbed "what I think is weird." I've seen that quote from Rickman about how plays and novels would have been pouring out of Rachel had she lived. I thought it sounded kind of dubious, but now I know what he meant. I also found it very true that the play is to a smaller extent about a political struggle and much more about one young person's development.
In short, I liked it very much. Tonight is the official opening night. I hope tomorrow's reviews will be good. On the meeting AR side, I also discovered thaat I'm shier than I thought. I did not stay to see him. The whole stage door thing just made me uncomfortable. For one thing, I was really thinking about the play and the performance. I guess I'll write a letter to tell AR and Megan more of the specifics of the things I liked.
I had time to do a couple of other things, too. I went to Ground Zero. I walked a lot in the Village and Downtown. I saw a funky play in the East Village. (If any of you who saw MniRC thought that was a casual, dressed down atmosphere in a small setting, The Metropolitan Play House is five notches smaller and a real neighborhood place.) I went on a great, guided-by-an-historian walking tour of the Village. Good weekend. Now I'm going to look for cheap deals for another NYC weekend.
Aurora
- Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 08:35:43 PM (EDT)
Thank you for sharing Ali-Pat, it is great to hear you had a good time :-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 04:24:31 PM (EDT)
So pleased that you had a good time in New York, Ali-Pat and what a great idea to thank him for the ALA poster.
Barbara
Wellington, NZ - Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 03:26:17 PM (EDT)
How lovely, Ali-Pat! I agree about the play -- it's touching, astonishing. And how demanding it must be for the actress, physically and mentally! But when I saw it, in Edinburgh, AR seemed to be nowhere in the theatre building or outside. (He was probably in the city, though.) I had a wonderful evening anyway.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 05:15:11 PM (EDT)
Ha! That reporter was scribbling on his PAD. The typo was my bad.
Ali-Pat again
- Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 04:56:40 PM (EDT)
Hello, hello--back from a whirlwind trip to NYC and am still somewhat breathless! I attended the Thursday night performance of MNiRC and and enjoyed it immensely. The theater is small and pleasingly ramshackle, and it is in a neighborhood that seemed Very Village to me. The play is 90 minutes long, with no intermission, but I could swear it went by in about a third that time. Megan and her director used the stage very well, and brought Rachel Corrie's words to life in an exciting, touching, astonishing way. Alan was there, sitting in the back, and was hanging around in the lobby afterwards chatting with what appeared to be friends and newspaper reviewers. (Not sure about that but I am pretty sure the fellow behind me was a reviewer as he kept scribbling away on his bad practically the whole time.) Alan seemed very approachable, so approach I did! Came away with an autographed copy of the play and a big smile on my face. BTW, there are copies of the play available for purchase in the lobby if you are planning to go and don't have a copy yet. See this play if you can--it is worth the time and trouble.
Oh, and I took it upon myself to thank Alan on behalf of all the librarians in the world for posing for that ALA poster (grin).
Ali-Pat again
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 04:54:46 PM (EDT)
Thank you, Glowbox!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, October 13, 2006 at 08:19:42 AM (EDT)
Pia Susanna, that particular quote came from an internet site (http://www.cinema-france.com/articles_critiques314_le-parfum.html) but it's not the first negative review I've read in French.
Glowbox
France - Thursday, October 12, 2006 at 04:43:47 PM (EDT)
Val, we would be delighted to read your report about your trip, of course!
Here is smth curious New York Post-theater
Hugs!
Yulia Ivanova <azureinsky_brillianceinlife@yahoo.comfoo>
- Thursday, October 12, 2006 at 10:34:55 AM (EDT)
Hi all! I've posted a few times but usually slink back to lurkdom ;) I really enjoyed reading your accounts of meeting Alan. Sounds wonderful :)
I'm planning a trip to London at the end of December and am hoping to run into the man...Does anyone know if he'll be there around that time? I'm hoping to at least get an autograph (not a Snape picture however...lol) or see him from a distance. Thanks.
Val
Canada - Thursday, October 12, 2006 at 09:49:32 AM (EDT)
Hi Glowbox, What French publication did you quote from?
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, October 12, 2006 at 08:17:10 AM (EDT)
Oh dear, the French critics don't seem to like Perfume very much. Just read a review which sums it up as, "Adaptation stupide et ringarde d'un best seller par un metteur en scène peine-à-jouir. Un triste spectacle, à éviter à tous prix", which translates as something like, "Stupid, old-fashioned adaptation of a best-seller by a sexually-inhibited director. A sad show, to be avoided at all costs." The reviewer does mention, however, that those excellent actors, Dustin Hoffman and Alan RIckman do give the film a certain class! I shall go and see for myself just the same.
Glowbox
France - Wednesday, October 11, 2006 at 03:16:10 AM (EDT)
Martha, thanks for the links!I'm not quite sure which Starbuck's it was, but I think one in George Street. But mind you, the AR spotting may be an urban myth! On the other hand, it's of course known that AR is fond of Edinburgh, and that he has been there many times, especially because of the Festival. -- Isn't it interesting that we talk of AR spottings or sightings, as if he were a rare bird?
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 09:21:46 AM (EDT)
pia susanna - There are eleven Starbucks in Edinburgh, which one is the haunt? :)
AR was in New York, accounts of meeting him can be found here:
http://deeindiana.livejournal.com/ (two entries)
http://reedpipe.livejournal.com/2396.html
http://catsplay.livejournal.com/ (two loooong post with lots of pics)
martha
maine, - Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 06:07:08 AM (EDT)
Ali-Pat, that seems really very close to Rowling's (or Snape's) prose style in that chapter where Harry has his first Potions lesson. Incidentally, a Starbuck's in Edinburgh is said to be a haunt for famous people, and, according to rumour, our Alan has been spotted there. Don't know if this is true, or if the text would be the same in Britain, but surely one can imagine him reading those words, remembering Snape's Potions soliloquy, and smiling a little? -- Hope you'll have a good time in New York, and that you'll find MNRC moving, as I did! Will AR be in the city -- does anyone know?
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, October 09, 2006 at 05:08:56 PM (EDT)
Yes!
I'll have what's SHE'S having... ;-)
fjrfeofjes
- Sunday, October 08, 2006 at 05:50:11 PM (EDT)
Thanks Yulia, they're gorgeous! :))
Jezy
Canada - Sunday, October 08, 2006 at 05:49:35 PM (EDT)
Thanks Yulia, they're gorgeous! :))
Jezy
Canada - Sunday, October 08, 2006 at 05:49:25 PM (EDT)
Here's a bit of Rickman synchronicity (I think that is the word I want). Someone at Starbuck's must be a Rickman fan or at least a Harry Potter fan. Look at this little speech that is now appearing on their brown goodie bags:
...flavors my senses, sweetens my disposition, stirs my imagination, nourishes my dreams.
Brings to mind the "ensnare the senses" speech from HPSS, doesn't it?
Busy packing for my trip to NYC this week to see MNiRC! Wonder if I'll get lucky and bump into the director somewhere along the way?
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Sunday, October 08, 2006 at 08:31:32 AM (EDT)
This may be to prove their credentials. I agree that it's often quite unnecessary, though.
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Wednesday, October 04, 2006 at 05:02:20 PM (EDT)
The review of Snowcake is kind of nice, I guess. Can reviwers ever just talk about a movie without comparing it to other great (or not so great) films? Shouldn't they NOT infer that this movie is copying others in techniques? I'd like reviews to take less space showing off how many obscure films the writer has seen!
kit
pa usa - Wednesday, October 04, 2006 at 01:12:23 PM (EDT)
Hi girls! I've made some screen caps from Perfume: The Story of a Murderer if someone is interested.
Perfume photos and click further!
I luv them!
Yulia Ivanova
- Wednesday, October 04, 2006 at 12:54:15 PM (EDT)
I'm looking forward to seeing My Name is Rachel Corrie on Oct. 15th! I also hope I have the opportunity to meet AR! Hopefully he'll be there, I suppose there's a good chance because of Oct. 15th being the official opening night.
CHRISTINE <cbogannam@comcast.netfoo>
PORTSMOUTH, nh usa - Tuesday, October 03, 2006 at 07:41:33 PM (EDT)
Great site, love what you have done with it
Christa W <nyytrombone2006@aol.comfoo>
Winston Salem, NC United States - Tuesday, October 03, 2006 at 04:12:44 AM (EDT)
Unfortunately that's not a very glamorous photo of Clive Owen.
I discovered your choice man recently in the very funny BMD commercial over at youtube. If you haven't seen it you really should.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjyGbgBz46M
Even more people would probably be willing to vote after seeing that ad. I don't know, Madonna looks pretty satisfied...
IDMT
- Monday, October 02, 2006 at 07:32:18 PM (EDT)
Oh, thank you R. and thank you Lex! Don't have time to do much here except lurk these days but these pics are a real treat.
Glowbox
France - Monday, October 02, 2006 at 05:04:40 PM (EDT)
This is my 1st post here but I guess you'd love to see this
http://lex-nixon.livejournal.com/48629.html#cutid1
The author is the owner of Everything Rickman another Rickman site in the UK
R.
- Sunday, October 01, 2006 at 05:42:17 PM (EDT)
Thanks, Julia, for the SC review. It's unusually well-written and serious; I don't know if it's quite fair, as I haven't seen the film yet. As for "I've seen that movie.", I thought at first, when I saw the trailer, that this comment must be an ironic self-reference to SC!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Saturday, September 30, 2006 at 04:58:32 PM (EDT)
The October 2006 (vol. 16, iss. 10) of The British Film Institute's (BFI) Sight and Sound magazine contains a review of Snowcake, as well as complete credits (for those asking about the soundtrack, and a SPOILERIFIC synopsis. I have scanned it into text for your reading pleasure. Sorry about the formatting, that's the way the scanner did it.
Snow Cake
Canada/United Kingdom/ Netherlands 2006 Director: Marc Evans With Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver, Carrie-Anne Moss Certificate 15 111m 46s
Midway through Snow Cake, a neighbour of highfunctioning autistic woman Linda Freeman (Sigourney Weaver) says: "I know all about autism. I've seen that movie." The reference, surely, is to Hollywood's most famous dalliance with the condition, Barry Levinson's Rain Man Snow Cake, directed by Marc Evans from a first screenplay by Angela Pell, mocks such faith in cinema's ability to ameliorate ignorance about complex medical conditions, but simultaneously strives to provide such a service itself. The film-makers attempt to have their cake and eat it. Snow Cake begins amid the dazzle of white light streaming through a cabin window of the plane in which Englishman Alex Hughes (Alan Rickman) pensively watches the cloudscapes high over Canada. Journeying to meet the mother of a son he never met, who has been killed in a road accident, Alex's lingering grief is limned in Rickman's haggard features, his ebbing spirit externalised in the blanched northern skies and melting snow. In a schematic early twist, a truck crashes into his car, killing a young hitchhiking passenger, Vivienne, and Alex takes a detour to the small town of Wawa to console Vivienne's mother, Linda. Reminiscent of The Sweet Hereafter and Insomnia in its use of a wintry backdrop to its protagonist's corrosive guilt, it more closely resembles Nicholas Ray's On Dangerous Ground, in which an embittered cop finds spiritual renewal in snowy upstate New York when he meets a blind woman whose simple faith restores his humanity. Vivienne's mother offers similar salvation for Alex: he is by turns alarmed and amused by Linda's childlike behaviour, neurotic preoccupations and apparent indifference to her daughter's death. But, in a process neatly, though not always subtly, mirrored in the snow thawing around Wawa, Alex warms to Linda, seeing in her emotional forthrightness and euphoric outbursts an alternative to his own morose wallowing. Weaver captures Linda's polar modes of agitation and entrancement with striking verisimilitude. One scene in which she and Alex play "comic-book Scrabble", taking turns to invent a word and then use it in an improvised sentence, is delightful. Weaver holds the viewer spellbound as Linda coins "dazlious" to trump Alex's lacklustre effort, and her spontaneous sentence is a liquid, spiralling flight of fancy that testifies to her extraordinary mental dexterity. But Weaver's performance can seem too studied an impersonation, a work of mimicry that feels at times like a starry jaunt through an autistic tick list. The film's ploy is to make Alex seem at home in a strange town - he is quickly prized by Wawa's community for his English accent and all but jumped upon by another of Linda's neighbours, Maggie (Carrie-Anne Moss) - but a stranger in Linda's autistic world, where he has to fumble around for a binding logic. He makes a better job of the latter than some of the bit parts, who stand around citing familiar suppositions about autism or bemoaning Linda's social etiquette ("this is a wake!" cries one lady at Vivienne's funeral, aghast at Linda's lack of solemnity). But the script falls foul of cliche itself, attributing an innate innocence to Linda that sentimentalises her condition. Teetering into whimsy when Linda imagines escaping the dreary funeral reception for a posthumous dance with Vivienne, Snow Cake ultimately collapses around its own soft centre. *Samuel Wigley
CREDITS Directed by Marc Evans Produced by Gina Carter Jessica Daniel Andrew Eaton Niv Fichman Written by Angela Pell Director of Photography Steve Cosens Film Editor Marguerite Arnold Production Designer Matthew Davies Original Score Broken Social Scene @Rhombus Media Inc/Snow Cake Films limited/UK Film Council Production Companies UK Film Council and Telefllm Canada present in association with Baby Cow Productions, Alliance Atlantis', BBC Films and 2Entertaln with the participation of The Canadian Television Fund a Revolution Films/Rhombus Media production A Marc Evans film Produced with the participation of Astral Media - The Harold Greenberg Fund, Canadian Television Fund, Canada The Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit Produced in association with CHUM TelevIsion, The Movie Network, Movie Central. Baby Cow Productions. TV A Films With the support of The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation Developed with the support ofthe MEDIA Programme of the European Community In association with Fortissimo Film Sales Made with the support of the National Lottery through the UK Film Council's Premiere Fund Executive Producers Robert Jones Michael Winterbottom David M. Thompson Henry Normal Steve Coogan Production Accountants Jane Douglas Rachel James Production Co-ordinator Lesley Boylen Unit Production Manager Bora Bulajic Location Managers Wawa: Anthony Kadak Toronto: Don Comelius Post-production Supervisor Layla Evans Assistant Directors 1st: Laurie Mirsky 2nd: Pierre Ouellet Script Supervisor Winnifred Jong Casting Director John Buchan Camera Operator Perry Hoffman Gaffer George Kerr Visual Effects Artist Dolores McGinley Special Effects Co-ordinator Max Macdonald Art Director Peter Emmink Set Decorator Rob Hepburn Co-property Masters Kenny Meinzinger Andn] Molodecky Construction Co-ordinator Dwight Doerksen Costume Designer Debra Hanson Key Make-up Artist Stephen Lynch Key Hairstylist Debra Johnson Titles by Franki&Jonny Titles Animation Dolores McGinley Broken Social Scene Were: Ohad Benchetnt Brendan Canning Kevin Drew Charles Spearin Amy Millan Genevieve Walker Music Supervisor Liz Gallacher Soundtrack "Alright Now" - Free: "Same Deep Water as Me" - I Am Kloot: "Notteru Ondo"The Dnfters: "Deep in the Heart otTexas"Sigoumey Weaver; "Just Looking"Stereophonics; "Northern Lad" - Tori Amos; "Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl" - Broken Social Scene: "Let ItDie" - Leslie Feist "Hello Sunshine (Radio Edit) " - Super Furry Animals Sound Recordist Rob Fletcher Re-recording Mixer Paul Cotterell Supervising Sound Editor Peter Baldock Stunt Co-ordinator Shelley Cook
CAST Alan Rickman Alex Hughes Sigourney Weaver Linda Freeman Carrie-Anne Moss Maggie Emily Hampshire Vivienne James Allodi Clyde Callum Keith Rennie John Neil David Fox Dirk Jayne Eastwood Ellen Julie Stewart Florence Selina Cadell Diane Wooton Jackie Brown waitress Scott Wickware senior cop Johnny Goltz rookie cop Janet Van De Graaf Meryl Charlie Manlyn the dog Nia Roberts Janet the vet Dov Tiefenbach Jack the optician John Bayliss priest Jackie Laidlaw Louise Susan Coyne Deborah the neighbour Robert Smith Jones Dick the neighbour Dolby Digital In Colour Prints by Soho Images Distributor Momentum Pictures lO,058ft +7 frames
. SYNOPSIS Canada, the present. Alex Hughes arrives in Canada for a road trip to Winnipeg, where he plans to meet a former lover. Alex is tormented by the death of their son, whom he had never met, in a recent road accident. Alex picks up a hitchhiker, Vivienne, who gets Alex to open up to her. A truck drives into the car, killing Vivienne. Alex visits Vivienne's mother, Linda, to offer his condolences and is baffled by her erratic behaviour and nonplussed reaction. Linda persuades Alex to stay, telling him that she needs him to take out the rubbish, as she will not touch garbage. Linda's estranged neighbour, Maggie, explains to Alex that Linda is autistic. Alex gradually accepts Linda's idiosyncrasies and befriends Maggie, with whom he begins a relationship. A policeman warns Maggie that Alex has been in prison for killing a man. The driver who crashed into Alex's car visits Linda, but is confronted by Alex, who holds him responsible for Vivienne's death. The driver later shows up, at Vivienne's funeral and Alex shakes his hand. Alex confesses to Maggie that he attacked the driver involved in the car crash that killed his son, and that this resulted in the man's accidental death. Alex takes to the road again, promising to revisit his new friends. Maggie takes out Linda's rubbish for collection.
Julia
Canada - Saturday, September 30, 2006 at 01:16:39 PM (EDT)
Talented, sexy English actor Clive Owen could use votes in this month's Hello! poll at http://www.hellomagazine.com/vote/mostattractiveman/month/index.html
(Fans of Keanu Reeves, pls ignore this message.)
Susan CA
- Saturday, September 30, 2006 at 01:14:52 PM (EDT)
I'm 21 year old, but love watching Harry Potter, and other movies with Alen Rickman. I found him amazing... and I believe hi's amazing... my grandparents were actors and i spent my entire childhood on sceens..., but never seen such a talanted and handsom actor. Honstly to say.. i have hots for him.
Darja <daria.shirazi@gmail.comfoo>
Brisbane, QLS Australia - Friday, September 29, 2006 at 11:04:41 AM (EDT)
Yes, Julia, you're quite right about body language! I can't say I have particularly noticed Snape's straight back, though . . .
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Friday, September 29, 2006 at 08:24:09 AM (EDT)
So Dogma's on, and I've just had a revelation (pun intended): Rickman is actually playing Peter Cook! (See: Bedazzled, the original, not the Liz Hurley/Brendan Fraser remake) Of course, he's far older than anyone else in the film, so no one knows to play Dud to his Pete, but it is a piece of absolute genius.
Julia
Canada - Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 05:30:08 PM (EDT)
Thanks for the link, Pia Susanna; I'm not sure I see the resemblance, but it's interesting to hear again about how important body language is to Rickman's development of a character role.
Julia
Canada - Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 04:48:07 PM (EDT)
In the local British newspaper "Newbury Today", there was an interview on 6 September with a boy called Alec Hopkins. He will play the young Severus Snape (remember "Snape's Worst Memory"?)in HPOP -- film adaptation 5, that is. Hopkins has discussed the job with AR. The address I have used is:
"newburytoday.co.uk" "alec hopkins"
-- I'm not sure I can do links!
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, - Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 04:12:28 PM (EDT)
Ticketmaster is offering a limited-time discount on My Name Is Rachael Corrie tickets. http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/1042842
Enter code: TMBLAST into Special Offers Box.
Be aware some have entered other locations for discount tickets previously. May want to compair between them.
n/a
- Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 07:44:48 AM (EDT)
Bookmark.
R
AL-ways in the Department of Corrections, - Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 12:54:59 PM (EDT)
Gail, glad you made it and felt Snow Cake was wonderful.
Thought I would pass this along . . .
A Hamlet bookmark is the 2006 donation gift in honor of Kenneth Branagh's 46th birthday. The funds from the 2006 bookmark are donated to Project Shakespeare. The money we donate to Project Shakespeare will be used to provide transportation, housing and tickets, for Northern Irish children, Catholic and Protestant, who get together to experience the magic of live theatre and grow as friends. You can see the bookmark proof here: http://www.geocities.com/branaghcompendium/birthday2006.html They cost $6.00 each. Each bookmark comes in a royal blue velour bag. Contact tesseljy at hotmail.com for an email order form which gives all the details.
Renie
- Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 12:49:44 PM (EDT)
Gail and Slope, do you know if AR went to Toronto at all recently? -- Also, will anyone attend the charity screening of SC this week? It would be nice to read a report of the Q&A session. I know that the tickets are expensive.
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, September 25, 2006 at 08:39:16 AM (EDT)
L'shanah tovah! A Happy New Year to all the Jewish Rickmaniacs!
MA
- Friday, September 22, 2006 at 11:46:24 PM (EDT)
Adrienne Clarkson, former Governor General of Canada, and pal--to some degree--of AR, has just published her memoirs. It doesn't seem likely she will have anything to say about him in the book, but one never knows...More likely she'll have some things to say about Jan Wong.
Aurora
- Friday, September 22, 2006 at 08:24:51 AM (EDT)
I have just had a letter from Melanie Parker today. She has written to confirm that Alan Rickman will be doing a Q&A session after the charity screening of "Snow Cake".
The event is to be held on the 28th September at BAFTA and is being organised by Treehouse. Tickets are £50 each (but it is a charity fundraiser), you can phone for tickets 020 8815 5433, ask for Caroline or Dawn.
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire England - Friday, September 22, 2006 at 07:33:16 AM (EDT)
"includes" . . . "including" . . . sorry, that was rather wooden, stylistically speaking.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, September 21, 2006 at 08:42:11 AM (EDT)
For those who are in the UK and can get to Chichester, New Park Cinema will be screen "Snow Cake" for a week from 29th September.
Slope, I think the first week in October may be when Alan Rickman will be in the USA as "My Name is Rachel Corrie" begins previews 5th October. But who knows you may get lucky :-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 01:42:49 PM (EDT)
Have you noticed that The Guardian, in connection with its (rotten) review of SC, shows the trailer of that film, as well as the official SC site? I hadn't seen the latter before. It includes many good stills, including some I didn't recognize.
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 09:15:34 AM (EDT)
Besides the Snow Cake screening in Hampstead on Sep 28, does anyone know of any other Alan-sighting opportunities in London in the first week of October? (I shall be visiting.)
Slope
Canada - Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at 06:31:24 PM (EDT)
Thank you, Brenda, for the news about the premiere screening of Snow Cake in Wawa today! I hope you will let us know your thoughts about how it turned out.
Gail, good to see you! I'm so glad that you and a few TARTS were able to see SC at the Toronto Film Festival. It's to bad AR didn't make it. Thank you for giving us your review! I am SO excited about seeing this one, I can hardly wait.
No wonder I couldn't find SC on the AFI Film Festival website! Thank you, Susan, for the Info.
Welcome, Sally and Katie!
And thank you so much, Julia, mwbashful18, Yulia Ivanova and Slope for all the reviews and articles! And Sue, for the wonderful news about AR's upcoming appearance at a special fundraising screening at BAFTA on the 28th (see the News Page!
By the way, here's a short SC review I don't think I've seen posted yet from the Harold:
Sunday Harold, Scotland
September 10, 2006
By Demetrios Matheou
Snow Cake is a reflection on loss, and how to deal with it. Set in Canada, it centres on the relationship between Alex (Alan Rickman), an Englishman who has just survived a car accident which killed the young hitchhiker he picked up; and Linda (Sigourney Weaver), the girl's mother, whose autism leads her to care about her daughter's death much less than the man who barely knew her.
Traumatised and feeling responsible, Alex calls on Linda to offer support. All she requires is that he keep his wet feet off her carpet and empty the trash. "You're very unreasonable," he complains. "I'm autistic," is her defiant reply. He decides to stay, compelled by a woman whose indifference forces him to deal with his reserve. The attentions of warm-blooded neighbour, Maggie (Carrie-Anne Moss), also plays its part in thawing this damaged man.
This is a surprising venture for director Marc Evan, whose previous films were the horror movies My Little Eye and Trauma. He and screenwriter Angela Pell provide a pleasing, if unremarkable chamber piece, without too much cliché or false sentiment. Weaver keeps the tics at bay, while Rickman, with that wonderful way of speaking as though in fear of losing his teeth, keeps our attention.
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Sunday, September 17, 2006 at 01:02:24 PM (EDT)
Hey girls!
I made a comment here Cute review after all!
Yulia Ivanova
- Saturday, September 16, 2006 at 10:55:12 AM (EDT)
As I was going to be in Toronto on Thursday night and Snow Cake was playing at the film festival it was a great opportunity to gather a couple of the TARTS together and go to see it. I had to wait until the single tickets went on sale, tried on-line from the hour that the box office opened, and was only able to get the requisite four tickets on Thursday morning at 7 a.m. when some tickets for VISA card holders only were released. The line-up started early, doubtless fuelled by the reports that Mr. Rickman was going to attend. In the end the director, just about every cast member, and some of the soundtrack group showed up, but no Mr. Rickman.
The film is wonderful, all those things that the flattering reviews said. The Wa Wa scenery certainly showed Northern Ontario at its best with the elegant visual direction. The acting is uniformly excellent, and two things will particularly endear this film to GB readers. One is that the director likes working in close-up so there are many, many great shots, including a particularly good and extended h*nds scene. The other is that, although the character that Mr. Rickman plays is one that gradually thaws, I cannot help feeling that a lot of his own personality shows through and that the facial expressions that we see are somewhat those that his friends would see on a relaxed evening.
The film was very warmly received by the audience. It is in fact very funny, although given the plot outline of a series of events triggered by an horrific accident one might not think so. As the Toronto film festival audience is, I understand, widely held in the industry to be one of the best for judging the potential success, or otherwise, of an as yet unreleased film I think it augers well for the possibility of wide release.
Renie - thank you for the suggestion regarding the Branagh film but unfortunately I live an hour out of Toronto now so it is not so easy for me to dash off to a TIFF film.
Gail
Cobourg, Canada - Saturday, September 16, 2006 at 12:17:13 AM (EDT)
TIFF: It seems that Al didn't make it to the Toronto premiere of "Snow Cake", which is good because neither did I! :p
I did see footage of the red carpet arrivals with Marc Evans and Sigourney Weaver, but alas, no Alan. They showed a few clips from the movie too.
Robert Cushman (former Brit theatre critic) wrote an editorial in the National Post: When Alan Rickman played the barmaid
Slope
Canada - Friday, September 15, 2006 at 10:55:22 PM (EDT)
Thanks, everyone, for the Snow Cake and Perfume info. Suzanne, that was a great article. I'm still figuring out whether I want to see Perfume, based on what I've learned so far about the characters and the adaptation, and the story *gulp*. I've started "The Elementary Particles" written by Michel Houellebecq, another book which Eichinger produced as a feature film. The producer picks weird stuff, IMO. But that doesn't rule it out as a film to see (e.g. Clostland).
Speaking of producers, Judy Hofflund produced Branagh's new "As You Like It", which is showing in Italy, then various film festivals. Branagh's film is pretty tame in light of her previous production history of fllms which are edgy and rough, so to speak (Panic Room, 8MM)
Finally, any member of TARF going to the TIFF can see the second showing of Branagh's "The Magic Flute" tonight. It's being shown out of consideration, following it's premiere in Venice. Gail? Too bad no Rickman or Branagh films are coming to the Mill Valley Film Festival.
Renie (*resolves to get next door zoon*)
- Friday, September 15, 2006 at 05:46:34 PM (EDT)
Oh dear! I find that in a recent contribution of mine to this GB, I must have typed far too fast (such things happen to all or most of us, I think). "takes" and "begs" should of course be "take" and "beg", in something I posted on 12 September. Sorry to have (apparently)lost grammar in my urgency!
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Friday, September 15, 2006 at 03:59:45 PM (EDT)
Just posting this to say as what everyone else thinks, Alan Rickman is a great actor!! Just saw him in Love Actually and thought he was great!!
Katie Anderson <katieanderson1@hotmail.comfoo>
Bendigo , Vic Australia - Thursday, September 14, 2006 at 10:39:54 PM (EDT)
For all you Rickman fans out there, I was on e-bay last night and there is a lot of awesome Rickman mechandise !! Sometimes there is nothing at all, there are mugs, nightshirts, keychains and the list goes on ~!! One even says Too Hot To Handle , does that say it all or what !!
Also I was on another web site today that lists Noble Son and The Villa Golisyn along with Snowcake and Perfume as his recent credits. You may already be in the know about these projects, but thought I would pass them on. I normally do not have time to keep up on all the guestbook pages, but I had to pass on this info. I have been a fan since Die Hard, nobody mesures up to A R !!!
Fans feel free to e-mail !!
Sally
Sally <misssnowbell2003@yahoo.comfoo>
Mi USA - Thursday, September 14, 2006 at 01:28:22 PM (EDT)
Oh, I adore such reviews! Here is new one
Swiss backers scent Perfume success
More than 20 years after Patrick Süskind's Perfume became a global best seller, the story has finally made it onto the big screen ? with Swiss financial backing.
The film is released in Switzerland on Thursday.
The billionaire president of Basel football club, Gigi Oeri, has ploughed around SFr10 million ($8 million) into the movie, which at ?50 million (SFr79 million) is the most expensive German film ever made.
Speaking at the film's premiere in Munich earlier this week, Oeri, who is named as a co:producer in the credits, said she was more than a little nervous.
"You never know how it's going to turn out... but it's a healthy and happy nervousness," she told Swiss:German television.
Oeri, who is better known in Switzerland for mixing with mud:caked footballers than rubbing shoulders with Hollywood glitterati, became involved in the project through her friend Bernard Burgener.
Burgener is the chairman of Pratteln:based Highlight Communications, which holds a majority stake in Constantin Film, the company that produced Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.
Needless to say the deal to bring Oeri on board was clinched at Basel's St Jakob Park stadium.
Also present was the film's producer Bernd Eichinger, whose credits include The Name of the Rose, The House of the Spirits and Downfall, the acclaimed portrayal of Adolf Hitler's last days.
"I know the [Oeri] family very well and Gigi had told me she would love to take part in the production of a movie," Burgener told swissinfo.
"At the time I didn't have anything available but in December 2004, when we were close to the green light for Perfume, we asked her at a match in Basel to be co:producer. She said she loved the book and the same evening she signed a contract," Burgener told swissinfo.
On location
According to Burgener, Oeri has taken an active interest in the project. Of the 67 days spent shooting in Barcelona, Munich and Provence, she was on location for 21 of them.
At the Munich premiere actor Ben Whishaw, who plays the lead role in the film, paid tribute to Oeri's support for the film.
"I think she's wonderful. The film couldn't have happened without her," he told Swiss:German television.
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer features a stellar cast, with Oscar:winner Dustin Hoffman and British actor Alan Rickman in supporting roles.
The dark tale tells the story of Jean:Baptiste Grenouille, an amoral loner born in 1738 in a Paris fish market who has a remarkable sense of smell.
He becomes a perfume maker and develops an obsession with creating the perfect scent. This, he decides, can only be distilled from young virgins and sees him embark on a killing spree.
15 million sold
The book, published in 1985, was the world's best:selling German novel since Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front and sold 15 million copies.
But Süskind, who is something of a recluse, originally refused to sell the rights to his novel before finally giving in to Eichinger in 2000.
"I think Patrick [Süskind] will see the film at some point ? he will probably put on a false beard and a wig so no one recognises him," said Eichinger.
Reviews of the film have so far been varied, with some critics arguing that it has failed to bring to the silver screen Süskind's wonderful evocation of scents and fragrances.
But Burgener disagrees. He says that in the same way as the author's sensual imagery enabled readers to "smell" the book, the film can do the same for audiences through sound and vision.
"In the book, smell is evoked by words and your imagination; in the movie, Tom Tykwer [the director] has tried to do the same in pictures to describe the smell and the dirt of Paris in the 18th century," said Burgener. "From my point of view it's perfect and I hope we have a big success with this."
That is interesting...
Good luck!
Yulia Ivanova
- Thursday, September 14, 2006 at 09:59:09 AM (EDT)
No, of course the Mirror piece isn't "average"!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, September 14, 2006 at 09:12:03 AM (EDT)
Yulia and mwbashful18, the Mirror review of SC is indeed wonderful! Almost incredible it's the same film that was savaged by the Guardian.
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Thursday, September 14, 2006 at 09:03:58 AM (EDT)
That's funny, I could swear I read somewhere that his mother didn't go either . . . hmmmm.
mwbashful18
USA - Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 05:28:29 PM (EDT)
Suzanne has a wonderful archive of articles about AR at http://www.alan-rickman.com/articles/articles.html--you can learn a lot there and read many of AR's thoughts and opinions. In "Angel with Horns" from the Guardian you'll find that Mrs. Rickman went to Mr. Rickman's funeral, although the four children did not.
Susan
- Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 02:54:52 PM (EDT)
That previous review from the Mirror wasn't average, I thought it was awesome. Anything that tosses the word "Oscar" into the review or says Rickman was better than Weaver means it's an excellent review!
Regarding a previous few questions asked of me, I saw I think it was the Charlie Rose interview once where he speaks about his father dying when he was 8. He mentions his mother didn't take he or his siblings and she didn't go either. He knew his father died but never understood why she did such a thing until he was in his 40s. It's such a sad thing to hear. Also, I read some snippet from Juliet Stevenson who spoke about T,M,D and that they decided together that they would play the characters of Nina and Jamie with their own personalities. I believe that's where the "I hate the government" speech came from and the "perfectionist" manner as well. Stevenson said he was like that - his flat is spotless and he's always very neat and obsessive with cleanliness. I mean, if you watch Rasputin, the character is supposed to be a dirty pig, but his hands are always squeaky clean. lol
Also, regarding liking a movie only because Alan Rickman is in it, I really didn't like Michael Collins that much, mostly because Rickman and Liam Neeson were the only interesting characters who were intense and Rickman was always missing, so whenever he left the film for a half hour you felt the film was lacking and required his presence. Plus Julia Roberts was a joke and I didn't care much for Aidan Quinn. And I doubt I could ever like Quigley Down Under, nor have I ever watched it, or Close My Eyes (his name was Sinclair in that film, how terrible that name is). I might one day seek out Dark Harbor but just because he's in it doesn't mean I will immediately like the film. What I like about Snow Cake most is the story and my belief that this is going to be a big change/turning point in Rickman's career. Forget Snape, Snow Cake might open more doors for him. Plus, you know what the big secret desire is that all of us have - Rickman gets nominated for Snape for either the sixth or seventh HP film just because it would be too funny/cool/historical!
mwbashfull8, I join pia susanna in "thanking" you for all the reviews!
Brenda, this even will be really anticipated! Alan can surprise us with his clothig btw: nothing particular but everyone wants to scrutinize what he wears and why.
Here is a n average article about Snow Cake www.mirror.co.uk
Well dones, ladies, go on thinking like that!
Good luck everyone!
Yulia Ivanova
- Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 11:49:41 AM (EDT)
mwbashful18, many thanks for this lovely review! IDMT, just let me add that I'd be the last person to praise a bad film simply because a favourite actor of mine appeared in it. It isn't a matter of brands. And I apologize, but "fillate" seemed a bit funny to me -- for a moment I thought you had misspelled it on purpose, as if you'd been thinking of fillets (raw meat, that is . . . :)).
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 09:49:55 AM (EDT)
IDMT, I'm "pia susanna", please. Not "pia suzanna".
Also, I DID emphasize that what I wrote about SC was based on the trailer, rather than "secondary research".
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 09:27:36 AM (EDT)
IDMT: Sorry, I suppose I was just confused by your wording because you really did sound like you were all-for the film but also had a low appreciation for it. I suppose you are very objective when you view a film and aren't swayed by a star or anything of that sort. I try to be. I see films that will interest me even if they're with someone I don't really like or know too much about. In the case of Snow Cake, I feel it is really going to be a good film and once I finally see it I will know for sure; but right now I want this film, considering how small it is, to be known. I appreciate small films like Snow Cake that aren't filled with high-flying special effects and wooden acting; I like a movie with quality story, and I would like to see Snow Cake, which seems to be a very good film according to most reviews, be released and made known to a wider public than what is expected. Below is a very good review by the way! It was found online at www.musicOMH.com !
A UK-Canadian co-production, Snow Cake is a poignantly funny movie about how the warmth of human companionship can thaw frozen emotions. Without resorting to melodrama or sentimentality, this low-budget, well-crafted film, boasting outstanding performances from Alan Rickman and Sigourney Weaver, is a refreshing change from the relentless in-your-face style of so much contemporary cinema.
Directed by Welshman Marc Evans and scripted by first-time screenwriter Angela Pell, Snow Cake is set in Ontario, where the icy weather conditions mirror the emotional states of the protagonists. The reserved and taciturn Alex Hughes (Rickman) is persuaded against his better judgement to give a lift to kooky 19-year-old hitchhiker Vivienne (Emily Hampshire), who is then killed in a collision with a truck through no fault of his own.
Nonetheless, driven by shock and guilt, Alex decides to call on Vivienne's mother Linda in snowbound Wawa, her intended destination, to explain exactly what has happened. Linda (Weaver) turns out to be a high-functioning autistic, who seems to accept the news of her daughter's death with extraordinary equanimity.
Alex stays to give her practical help, but then forms a relationship with her attractive, independent neighbour Maggie (Carrie-Anne Moss). But before too long, Maggie's ex-boyfriend, the jealous local law-enforcement officer Clyde (James Allodi), appears to discover a dark secret in Alex's past which could explain the original reason for his journey.
Evans' unobtrusive but highly effective direction allows the subtleties of the relationships in Pell's story to develop naturally. The focus is very much on how Alex, by learning to fit in with Linda's rigid routine where everything has to be done in a certain way and everything belongs in a certain place, is forced to look outside of himself and question his own control-freakery, slowly coming to terms with the trauma which haunts him.
Weaver (in a role she apparently researched for a year) is highly convincing as the eccentric Linda, producing a less showy performance than Dustin Hoffman's Rain Man. Inhabiting her own social bubble, she rarely makes eye contact with those around her, but shows a childlike talent for living in the present and retaining a sense of wonder at the world.
Carrie-Anne Moss also impresses as Maggie, the free-spirited and warm-hearted vamp somehow stuck in conventional Wawa, who, with the aid of some sexual healing, helps to bring Alex in from the cold.
But it's Rickman who really stands out. His understated portrayal of Alex is a joy to watch, by turns touched and exasperated by Linda's behaviour as he struggles to exorcise his own demons. His dry, ironic humour comes across as a self-defence mechanism while his world-weariness suggests a man who has come to a crossroads in his life.
A genuinely moving drama about how people learn to live with and without each other.
- Neil Dowden
Hoping to spread the word as much as possible. I just now happened to see that comment someone posted about Rickman being for small films and making sure they get known. I find myself trying to do that to people about Snow Cake. I don't want the formula films that run the awards shows and the box office to always win while the quality small stuff gets ignored because the director wasn't a name or the studio wasn't putting TONS of money into it. Why should any of that matter when the film and acting especially is brilliant? I should think the acting at least should be honored, even if it's not a huge studio film!
All excellent points, pia suzanna and mwbashful. Thanks. And that's the point I was making, that the review author "makes fun of stereotypical things that aren't true." And no, I'm not drunk. Not yet anyway. Thanks for the offer, though. Of course I'll do drinks if you're in town.
There was a great story on NPR a while back on the danger of the growing "Echo Chamber" effect online, and it's good that we can have civil discussion on this board in particular on topics like feminist themes in movies and how offbeat films are seen through different eyes. (And how to spell fillate. Very important. How dare my spell check fail me at such a crucial topic. Oh wait, there is no spellcheck on here... doomed!)
In today's climate Robin Hood would probably be questionable. Certainly if someone came to me and said "I've just done a movie in which the high comedy scene involves the raping of a woman" I'd have a very different response to whether or not I might think that was funny.
But as far as contradictions go, there lies an example where it is the contradiction of such a hot presumption (rape is carried out a certain way by certain people) which derives all this explosive humor. In appearing to claim very sensible requests at oddly-timed moments, this completely over-the-top sheriff shows himself actually very overly sensitive in that he can't quite get the job done and is in many ways begging for an easier time of it. And of course he does try, and in such a startlingly normal manner that the audience is able to laugh.
If you haven't seen the movie Snowcake, it's kind of silly trying to defend it through secondary research, but that was the other point, that you can like and respect an actor's performances in his career body of work, but you aren't obligated to defend things out of courtesy when you are the paying public who is entitled to any opinion. It isn't a contradiction to respect someone and disagree with something they are associated with, or the precise way they have done something minute but noticeable. In fact, if you're interested enough to discuss it at all that's a compliment. I hope that's alright with you. Lots of very messy wars have been continued long after their expiration date due to the tendency to love an ideal so much that it overshadows the reality of what is sacrificed. People with bull dozers and little American girls in Gaza come to mind.
As for feeling obligated to defend a film simply because of who is in it, this is dangerous water not the least of which because it uses the charisma of a real human being to subversively bond the brand name of that famous person to all the guilt and social niceties that one would feel in an individual relationship with them. If people choose brand loyalty at the exclusion of others and begin to censure or discourage other opinions based on that loyalty, then the really interesting insights of a case-by-case judgement are lost. The supreme court (in the US) follows this tradition of carefully setting precedent on a case by case basis rather grandly, and if it works for them, it probably works for an online board. In the end nepotism does a disservice to the people working hard on a film just as it does the poor Emperor who's been told he's got clothes on, it's just that most people aren't apparently worthy enough to see them. I never said he had no clothes, but perhaps he could have been given better ones, and could have demanded them before he walked out of the castle. Something to that effect, anyhow. Like, say, he's missing a scarf and a good pair of socks... and why?
Sorry, MW Bashful, but if you are under twenty then you missed those wonderful public service commercials that specialized in brow-beating hippies for accidentally teaching their kids to smoke pot. It's similar to the "My daddy steals cable TV" print ads, if you've seen those. It's a corporation which has held an unprecedented monopoly for some time in the pursuit of anti-competion. At the dawn of alternative content providers they find themselves suddenly wishing to make a point about ethics. :)
The only other point I was making below is that we are of course allowed to honestly choose when the brands we like, either Rickman movies or McDonald's (secret soy) burgers, are grilled the way we like them, and to decide when and if they are not. And if not, there's no real harm to Alan Rickman or anyone else if we ponder why that is the case.
He's not on here. I'd almost bet money. Show me your golden idol! ;-)
It's just us passing the time...
IDMT
nyc, - Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 10:45:09 PM (EDT)
Wawa will be holding a premiere screening of Snowcake on Sunday, September 17th. Seating is limited with only 2 showings of 300 each. This should be a wonderful event.
Brenda <mailwawa@wawa-news.comfoo>
wawa, on canada - Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 06:38:04 PM (EDT)
mwbashful18, I agree with practically everything you say. Just a few lines before I'm off to bed -- it's getting late: Yes, AR and Katharine (sp??) Viner at The Guardian edited Rachel Corrie's texts into a very long soliloquy. I suppose that he often reads that paper, as it's 1) British, 2) London-based, 3) well known, 4) usually quite good, 5) fairly left-wing.-- Perhaps I'll send in a comment of my own to The Guardian. -- What you describe is perhaps some kind of star-bashing? Based on envy? "having Moss" is an unpleasant, sexist expression (cf "having ice cream"). -- If I remember rightly, AR has said that Alex, like himself, always does his best.
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 05:56:50 PM (EDT)
Mwbashful18, has AR said that he empathises with the character of Jamie in TMD? I thought it had been written with him in mind, but that's not the same thing as being loosely biographical...
Also, do you remember where you read the interview about the funeral of his father? I'd be interested in reading that.
Julia
Canada - Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 04:33:33 PM (EDT)
It's funny, didn't Alan Rickman combine with a writer for The Guardian to write MNiRC?
The Guardian review seems to be completely devoid of real insight. I actually clicked on the "Comments and Questions" button to send MY comment to The Guardian about the review. It seemed amateur, I agree, and almost fake; like the reviewer had no clue what he was watching and fell asleep and scribbled down whatever he could remember. He didn't seem at all aware of autism nor of how films are made and definitely unaware of what it takes to act. It is funny how The Guardian review and then another one seem to agree on S. Weaver being the low-point of the film. They seem to think she's "too big a star" to act anymore. What is that? When has she ever done anything that made her "too big a star"? She's known, big whoop! Poor AR seems to have gotten tagged with some ingrate's comment about "showing his worth outside of Hogwarts" or whatever. It's like a bunch of 16 year olds are writing these reviews because they seem unaware of his talent as well as S. Weaver's. It's weird.
I've seen the trailer and I think it looks like a very good film. I think Weaver does really have that characteristic "autistic" manner about her and if everyone is just going to harken back to Rain Man then why should they bother? They should see the film as being its own thing and not bring in unnecessary comments about other movies and the actors' other movies. And as for IDMT, she seems completely nutters too, like she was trying to write her own "polished" review on here like this is a place to get a job at The Guardian writing bad reviews. I seriously thought IDMT was completely drunk or something while writing the review because she seems to like AR but then contradicts herself by adding comments I found rude, like "Rickman looked like he just got a new car after havig Moss", or "real Rickman might be the gawking type who never learned to get to know girls thanks to them forever throwing themselves at him and his formidable good looks as a young man." Huh??? We don't know him at all, and frankly it's silly to try to guess what he was like around girls all his life considering he's an actor and has had to work with them, as well as the many who are friends with him, aka Emma Thompson, Juliet Stevenson, Lindsay Duncan, etc.
As for Rickman as a person compared to Alex Hughes the character, if I were to guess why he considers the character most like the real AR (more so than Jamie even), I would say the shy, meek personality and sort of quiet, calm manner, as well as the "haunting past" might have a lot to do with his feeling like Alex is most like him. His father died when he was 8 and I once heard him say in an interview that he didn't understand fully why his mother didn't take herself and the children to the funeral until he was in his 40s! Perhaps he's had disappointments earlier in life and a harder time and therefore later in life it shows. I mean, a few have said it before, he really has a lived-in face, like you can see he's been through life. It really makes me wonder what his full biography written by AR himself would divulge. What makes him associate himself with Alex?
mwbashful18, you have said much of what I had felt and thought. It seemed to me that you,IDMT, takes too much for granted, and begs a question or two. (For instance, I've never seen RHPT.)And do you really agree with the "saddest camel" image? Also, I hope "fillate" is a typo . . . :)So far I've only seen the SC trailer, which appealed to me a lot. About the Guardian review I'd like to stress again that, in so far as I can tell at this stage,it was needlessly brutal. There are other ways of scoring points. I have worked as a professional critic for long, and I regard the Guardian article as amateurish. One must watch a film on its own terms. SC is clearly not meant to be full of action or super-sexy people. I don't see any male wishful-thinking in it either (again, I go by the trailer) -- rather a kind of archetypal/mythical situation where the (male) hero during his quest encounters three (female) helpers. Also, it's of course possible for a middle-aged man (Alex) to be a bit passive, a bit shy when dealing with women (supposing now that I understood IDMT correctly here; I'm not sure). -- With this arrogant attitude of yours, IDMT, it surprises me that you bother to post anything here, on this guestbook site! -- Luckily the other British SC reviews linked to this website are better. Even the one in The Observer concedes that the acting is good.
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 09:18:40 AM (EDT)
Why do I feel like the previous post was a completely wacky rant that contradicts itself? I mean, IDMT seems to like Rickman but also makes fun of stereotypical things that aren't true. Rickman stated that Alex Hughes is so far the character most like himself. Firstly, in what way? Secondly, why would he lie, so again, it what way? Also, I haven't seen the film yet because I am waiting until Christmas Day to see it in the US (yey), but from what I've heard it is really good. The one Guardian review seems venomous with a completely predatory view of the film. The reviewer seems to have never met an autistic person before because he didn't understand Weaver's actions and such. It was almost like a hack wrote the review. As for other reviews, they think the film is brilliantly acted. Some credit Weaver as being the one to make or break the film, but most agree the acting on Rickman's part is Oscar-worthy. We'll have to see how the film goes over at the Toronto Film Festival to really talk Oscars. But I'd just like to say that I don't think Rickman is used to women fawning over him, or frothing for that matter. Rima Horton he said was first ever girlfriend and they've been together since he was 19. Why do I doubt that "King Rickman" walked into filming Snow Cake because he wanted the love scene and the typecasting when he has not been typecasted in this film? He's not a villain nor is he some tough, rough, "manly" man. He's rather the lost, confused, meek guy which he does in fact seem like. I should think this role will be major for him in the future.
mwbashful18
USA - Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 01:09:01 AM (EDT)
I had missed the Guardian reviews, but thanks for the encouragement to read them. They seem more comedy than serious and make a few good points, but those would fill up about three sentences and not be nearly as much fun to read. Step back from your affection and it's just a rant to amuse readers with a salting of genuinely-desserved criticism and a dollop of searing, spoon-driven stabs at an overall decent movie that could have been polished better. Who knows, the writer likely grew up with the rest of us cheering the Sheriff's insanity and now pine for that sort of performance again. In fact, to quote that old US anti-drug commercial, (Timmy, where did you lear how to do this!?) *overly dramatic sob* "I learned it from watching you!"
Weaver was willing to take a risk. She painted the awkwardness of humanity outside the bounds of candy-land Hollywood with an honesty and commitment to realism that also made her excellent in the first few Alien movies. But after boring of collecting thought on the review, the Guardian Crew temper their mallets with a few squashed watermelons to lighten the tone and visions of "veterinary helpers who offer to fillate him in the rabbit hut" soon follow...
Not particularly tasteful, but comedy never can maintain good taste for long... or at least not without great self control, and it's doubtful you get to be an exhibitionist newspaper film critic that way. But the point made was that Rickman was being adored by all these people and it seemed sort of silly, and he didn't really work for it, probably because he's Alan Rickman and he doesn't have to anymore. King Rickman on his throne is annoyingly wasted screen time from someone we have all seen in great performances. "Mooching around town like the saddest camel on earth," doesn't normally pick up chicks, and even if it does, it's better cinematically if he at least takes the slightest interest in them instead of standing there like a seventeen year old waiting to go on his very first date with a female. He's not stupid, none of his fan-dom are hopelessly stupid, and that means such a lights-out character is just annoying and against his type casting as a sophisticated, supposedly highly studied actor. And THAT's typecasting you WANT to have. If they wanted to try and make a point that all people are in some way emotionally or intellectually stunted, and autism is just a spectrum of that, they should have alluded to such a theme in a better effort. That's really all they're saying, I think.
My date loved this movie and announced it his favorite film of the festival. He can be a bit Eyorish too, so salt to taste. But it just smacked of a little bit too much male-fantasy. --Or Rickman-worsheping with token, uninspiring love scene, and some of us feel it got in the way of the performance.
BTW, I suggested in a prior post that Rickman looked like he just got a new car after having Moss and quite a few people on here were willing to show their wit as well.
Of course, the real Rickman might be the gawking type who never learned to get to know girls thanks to them forever throwing themselves at him and his formidable good looks as a young man. In which case, he's just getting closure in his career and might be completely baffled and scared to death of any real women who don't kneel on the floor frothing for him, offer to skip dinner and have sex, or catch him showing any interest at all.
And here I shall open my umbrella... for there is likely to be rain ...as nature intended.
IDMT
- Monday, September 11, 2006 at 11:55:17 PM (EDT)
snapes_witch, I was quite shocked to read the Guardian review. It seems malicious, on purpose. Brooks does mention "autistic", though, but then appears to forget about it -- why else should he (?) criticize Weaver for her odd behaviour? "ludicrous pairing" is malicious, too, isn't it? Is Xan Brooks male -- does anybody know? There may be some jealousy involved here, as Rickman's character is so attractive to women, and Brooks doesn't get over this fact. (We all know that AR is, so we're not in the least surprised!)Having read Brooks's lines twice, I find them needlessly brutal -- is it the film, or AR, that's dismissed as "garbage"!?
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, September 11, 2006 at 09:12:24 AM (EDT)
Did you read Xan Brooks review in the Guardian? What a maroon!(Doing my Bugs Bunny imitation.) How could he have failed to miss that Linda was an autistic woman! I read another review when Snowcake first started making the rounds that also missed that point!
snapes_witch
- Monday, September 11, 2006 at 02:57:42 AM (EDT)
Sorry, pia susanna: OTT is short for Over-The-Top. Unfortunately, not all the reviewers agreed... see below.
Julia
Canada - Sunday, September 10, 2006 at 02:12:07 PM (EDT)
Snowcake reviews from London papers: TheLondonPaper
That's enough for now.
Julia
Canada - Sunday, September 10, 2006 at 12:13:27 PM (EDT)
Many thanks, Suzanne, for all this! Alan looked and sounded as if he were enjoying himself in Edinburgh. Julia, sorry about my ignorance, but what is OTT?? -- Don't you (all of you) think that he has a certain flair for using images of his own in interviews? He said about Rachel Corrie that her voice is (or is like) "a clarion in fog". In the Edinburgh/SC snippet he compared acting in SC to "working in water colours" -- a delicate process. There was also a roller-coaster image in the BBC interview. I'm not quite certain, but I think it referred to the ups and downs of filming, especially waiting for releases of films.
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, September 10, 2006 at 08:05:15 AM (EDT)
Although the IMDb says Snowcake will be shown at the AFI Film Festival in November, the AFI staff member who answered my query said Snowcake was not on their schedule.
Susan
- Sunday, September 10, 2006 at 03:50:02 AM (EDT)
Oh, man, I have so much catching up to do!
I received an e-mail from Nancy (thank you!) with a review from Perfume. It's pretty long, so I'll just post the link here and put the whole thing on the News Page. The online version is at Spiegel Online International.
Yulia, I haven't looked, but I'm pretty sure you can find an English version of Perfume at Amazon.com. And thanks for that great article/interview from the Ham&High! Did anybody attend the Q&A in Hampstead on the 5th? Or see Snow Cake yesterday or today? We would love to hear about it!
Mary, thank you for the link to the video clip of the red carpet premiere of Snow Cake at the Edinburgh Festival! I was able to capture it for those who'd like to download it (right click on link and choose "save target as"): SC in Edinburgh (SC-Edinburgh-8-16-06.rm, 3 mins, 37 secs, 2.6MB)
And that was a nice BBC Radio 4 interview, thank you Julia, for the reminder link! Though they did ask some of the same old questions, it's always great to hear his voice. :-) Anyway, I captured the sound clip and will convert and cut out the irrelevant stuff (before the interview) when I get a chance. And it's good to hear that the UK papers gave SC mostly good reviews! Could you post a few of them? :-)
Thanks, Sue, for the link to the Official Snow Cake website and the info about the possibility of AR appearing on Broadway in Old Times. Wow, that would be wonderful! Has anyone heard any more news about this?
Pia Susanna, sorry you missed out on SC, but you should be able to see it at the theater soon. I'm glad you were lucky enough to see MNiRC and thanks for the review and Observer blurb!
And many thanks to Georgiana, Slope, PattiD, Renie, Maggie, Roxane and Sheena for the fantastic articles, info, news and photos! I really enjoyed them all. Keep'm coming! :-)
Slope, are you planning on going to the Toronto Film Festival?
By the way, I got around to reading Catcher in the Rye again last week (after I got fed up with my computer being a pain in the...) and, although it's far from one of my favorites, I think I appreciated it more this time around. Last time was about 25 years ago and I couldn't remember anything about it, but it all started coming back to me as I read. Like Ali-Pat, I enjoyed his comments about The Return of the Native and Eustacia a lot more this time! And because I've now been to New York, I could actually "see" a lot of places he mentioned. That was pretty cool.
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Saturday, September 09, 2006 at 05:47:11 PM (EDT)
Many thanks for this, Yulia! AR is surely right in what he says about "ambiguity or unexpectedness." This holds for the arts generally today.
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Saturday, September 09, 2006 at 04:17:04 PM (EDT)
There are more images with Alan on WireImage and on Yahoo even! And here is an interesting article Ham&High Hampstead and Highgate Express and generally it looks so
Rickman screens new film for a good cause
editorial@hamhigh.co.uk
08 September 2006
ACTOR Alan Rickman rolled into Hampstead for a charity screening of his latest film to raise money for a nearby church.
The star of Truly Madly Deeply and the Harry Potter series answered questions from a packed audience at the Everyman Cinema Club, Holly Bush Vale, after a preview of Snow Cake.
Proceeds from the event on Tuesday night will go towards the restoration programme at St Stephen's Church, on the corner of Pond Street and Rosslyn Hill.
The Grade-I Listed building has been empty for 30 years but with nearly all of its needed £2.5 million now raised the church could be open next year.
During a question and answer session Snow Cake producer and Hampstead resident Gina Carter revealed the budget of the film was only slightly higher at £3million and was shot in just 27 days.
She answered questions alongside Mr Rickman and director Marc Evans about the film that focuses on the developing relationship between Alex (Rickman), a man haunted by his traumatic past, and Linda (Sigourney Weaver), a single-mum with autism. Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix) also appears in the film that is set in Wawa, Canada.
Mr Rickman said: "I think audiences have to fight hard for films like this. If you want films with any kind of ambiguity or unexpectedness you have to fight tooth and nail for them."
He added that making it had been an emotional experience for all involved.
"I try to avoid watching anything I am in as much a possible. But at a preview screening in Edinburgh I was with Sigourney waiting to go on stage to speak about it, and there was a little moment because it was such a commitment to make a film like this and such a commitment between two actors."
Ms Carter said the film had been hard to make due to the struggle to get financial backing, unseasonal weather melting snow on the set and the problems of working with an uncooperative dog actor.
She said: "I am really proud of it because I know what we all went through to make it but when you are watching, it is hard not to think 'oh we filmed this on that day and that was a trauma'. But when I sit back and watch it I am really proud of it and it is everything I wanted it to be."
Prior to the screening Michael Taylor, chairman of the St Stephen's restoration and preservation programme, said: "I would like to thank everyone who has been involved. If we raise the last £65,000 we hope to have the building open by Christmas next year."
The restoration programme has also been backed by Dame Judi Dench, Helena Bonham Carter, and Anthony Minghella.
matt.eley@hamhigh.co.uk
I am so proud that Alan is involved in charity so enthusiasticly and sincerely...
Good luck everyone!
Yulia Ivanova
- Saturday, September 09, 2006 at 09:40:25 AM (EDT)
Yesterday's UK papers were full of Snowcake. Thelondonpaper (new free commuter rag) gave it 4 stars! No Rickman photos, other than on the poster, but generally good reviews. Acoids sinking into schmaltz, and comapred favourably with Rainman, which they say seems OTT after watching Snowcake.
Julia
Canada - Saturday, September 09, 2006 at 07:13:58 AM (EDT)
Here are some new pictures of Alan Rickman, they were taken at the Munich premiere of "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer". Getty Images
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Friday, September 08, 2006 at 02:22:37 AM (EDT)
I wish to say thank you to all the "respechtable" ladies and gents who post photos, movie files, interviews, and etc. to which we in the desert southwest have no access.
Wagner <rickmanfan2001@yahoo.comfoo>
Phx, AZ USA - Thursday, September 07, 2006 at 07:00:00 PM (EDT)
Thanks, Suz!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, September 07, 2006 at 08:42:13 AM (EDT)
Did anybody watch Ruby Wax on Turn Back Time on BBC2 from 10-10:30pm?
Julia
Canada - Wednesday, September 06, 2006 at 05:38:57 PM (EDT)
Link fixed and missing posts restored.
Suz (D.o.C.)
I think it DID appear, but isn't here now. Also, on my screen, some recent postings are now shown in blue, and underlined!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Wednesday, September 06, 2006 at 05:03:37 PM (EDT)
Um, I think someone tried posting a link and screwed up the web page like the warning when posting links says. I posted a huge announcement last night and it's not here, and also, for some reason a bunch of our posts are all linked to some news thing about Catherine Zeta Jones it seems. Was the site hacked or did someon screw up? Oh yeah, since it didn't appear, SNOW CAKE WILL BE IN LIMITED RELEASE IN THE US STARTING CHRISTMAS DAY!!! AND PERFUME HAS HAD ITS RELEASE PUSHED BACK BY THREE WEEKS TO COINCIDE WITH SNOW CAKE'S RELEASE!!! Great, eh? Good chances for Oscar consideration!
mwbashful18
USA - Wednesday, September 06, 2006 at 02:42:18 PM (EDT)
Oh, please see this article, I was a little bit confused by it anyway. http://uk.news.yahoo.com/06092006/364/zeta-jones-furious-dog-tribute.html
What is there required by this woman? Quite strange news.
Sincerely
Yulia Ivanova
- Wednesday, September 06, 2006 at 10:47:39 AM (EDT)
Oh yeah, and Perfume: Story of a Murderer got pushed back to the very end of December for its US release. That says something.
Both those films of his will have late-year releases, rather similar to Million Dollar Baby's very-late release. With any luck, Alan Rickman will have that late-year impression on everyone so they'll be impressed with his work and he'll be a front-runner for nominations. That happened last year where everyone was sold on Viggo Mortensen and Ralph Fiennes (who did deserve a nom for Constant Gardener) getting nominated, but then later Capote and Brokeback Mountain came out and BAM, nobody from September nor October were nominated. It was mostly December people.
So basically toss Sean Penn (September, All the King's Men), Leo DiCaprio (October, The Departed), Forest Whitaker (September, Last King of Scotland), Nicholas Cage (August, World Trade Center), Brad Pitt (Babel), and Patrick Wilson (October, Little Children), I think it will be the late-year arrivals who steal the show! I'm thinking Alan Rickman (Snow Cake, December), Richard Griffiths (The History Boys, November), Clive Owen (Children of Men, December), Matt Damon (The Good Sheperd, December), and well, perhaps one of those guys from the earlier releases. But this is my new prediction!
All right, scratch what I just posted because I just Googled "snow cake" and "us release" and I found on IMDB.com that Snow Cake is listed as having a US release in New York and Los Angeles on December 1, and a limited release (limited means on par with The Constant Gardener, so YEY!) on CHRISTMAS!!! WOOOHOOOO! I hope that stays because I just found where I'll be at on December 25 - at the movies!!! Wooohoooo!
mwbashful18
USA - Tuesday, September 05, 2006 at 09:42:15 PM (EDT)
Hey, GREAT interview! I like the little Oscar nomination mention and his reference to it being just a piece of metal; too funny. You know in the back of his mind he's thinking, "Well heck yes, it's about time I get my piece of metal for my shelf!" lol. And I also enjoy the talk about everybody at the festival being hungover. If you read Emma Thompson's diaries for S&S, they filmed S&S while hungover on many occasions! Anyhoo, I hear Snow Cake comes out in England this Friday, so anyone who sees it do tell what you think and if that Oscar chance is still plausible. And does anyone have any news on whether Snow Cake will actually be released in the US? Officially in limited or wide release? Thanks!
mwbashful18
USA - Tuesday, September 05, 2006 at 09:30:00 PM (EDT)
Raxane, thank you for the interview, despite the fact that I have seen it already, but that's fantastic to read even twice! Alan...By the way my nickname is Bloody Mary, so I can comprehend the sense of it all naturally!
Unfortunately Snow Cake will be screened not in all countries at all. Such a pity for those who do not live in these " Happy Countries" where Snow Cake wiil come to!
Good luck to everyone!
Yulia Ivanova
- Tuesday, September 05, 2006 at 10:04:48 AM (EDT)
Not to speak of Alan . . .
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, September 05, 2006 at 09:07:21 AM (EDT)
Good question. I don't know where they came up with "Alice." Alex and Alice, way too similar.
Roxane
CA - Tuesday, September 05, 2006 at 08:13:43 AM (EDT)
oh, and "here" doesn't mean "in Edinburgh", but "in this interview"!
pia susanna
- Monday, September 04, 2006 at 05:25:57 PM (EDT)
Hi Roxane, and thanks for all this! Quite pleasant stuff! The interview will have taken place on 16 August, so the party was the evening (or night) before. I agree about Edinburgh -- a wonderful city!! But why is Linda in SC called Alice here?
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, September 04, 2006 at 05:23:40 PM (EDT)
This might be slightly old news but I found this at timesonline.co.uk/ while googling today which apparently took place at hte Edinburgh Festival a couple of weeks ago;
It's good to know that A-list celebrities are not immune from alcoholic excesses. I have it on good authority that Alan Rickman, Steve Coogan and friends drank themselves silly on Tuesday evening, a night that culminated with Coogan launching into a string of impressions and then chip butties all round at 3am. A few sore heads were reported the next morning.
Posted by Wendy Ide on Friday, 18 August 2006 at 12:20 PM
I didn't know Alan and Steve were good friends! I loved Steve in Around the World in 80 Days.
Also from around the same time is this interview from channel4.com about Snow Cake;
Alan Rickman And Marc Evans On Snowcake
Hungover in Edinburgh, the star and director of this drama about autism discuss Sigourney Weaver, Super Furry Animals and not making Rainman II
"I'm drinking a bloody Mary. I'm told it will do me some good."
It's midday in a hotel lounge and Marc Evans is hungover. This is forgivable, as last night saw the UK premiere of his new movie, Snowcake, the wine was flowing at the party afterwards and he ended up drinking with Steve Coogan until 5am. And, goddamit, this is the sixtieth Edinburgh International Film Festival: it's practically illegal not to have booze for breakfast.
"It's a fantastic festival, one of my favourites," he enthuses, eyes sparkling as the vodka works its magic. "And Edinburgh's great anyway. I'm very proud to be Welsh but I'm very jealous Scotland has got such an amazing capital city."
If Alan Rickman is feeling any ill effects from the party, he's certainly hiding it well. Immaculately dressed in a dark grey suit, he is as sombre and intimidating as he is on screen. The part he plays in Snowcake - a dour curmudgeon with a nice line in sarcastic put-downs - was written with him in mind. Does he ever worry that the public's perception of him is, well, pretty close to Phil Cornwell's impersonation of him in 'Dead Ringers'?
"I don't watch 'Dead Ringers'," he rumbles in what seems like irritation but, thankfully, is followed up by an amused laugh. "Public perceptions are what they are and you can't think about it. I'm sure anybody who has any kind of public persona would say that it's not a lot to do with the real person. I just get on with it really."
Just getting on with it, Rickman turns in yet another masterful performance in Snowcake. Without giving too much away, he plays a British man who, just out of prison in Canada, winds up staying in a small town in Northern Ontario where he takes a lover (Carrie-Anne Moss) and moves in with Alice, an acutely autistic woman played by Sigourney Weaver. It's quite a departure for Evans, best known for dark and doomy fare like My Little Eye, House Of America and Resurrection Man.
"It wasn't a conscious decision to change," says Evans. "It was more having the opportunity to get to do something different and fresh. What was nice about this was that I was offered the project because Baby Cow, Steve Coogan and Henry Normal's production company, were involved. I have to be really thankful to them for that because I wouldn't have been sent that script normally because you get typecast. People think I just do dark stuff."
As well as being a challenge for Evans, for Rickman it meant acting opposite Weaver who, having immersed herself in the role of Alice, unnervingly refused to look him in the eye.
"Actually, I think it made it easier," Rickman explains. "It was like being with a real autistic person and she has rules that you have to abide by. But it was a learning thing basically - I was the happy recipient of all of Sigourney's hard work."
Both Evans and Rickman are full of praise for Weaver, who worked flat out to get her performance perfect. But comparisons with that other autistic movie, Rainman, jokingly referenced in Snowcake, must have been a source of worry.
"No," claims Evans. "I felt really safe. Angela [Pell], who wrote the script, has an autistic kid, a little boy called Johnny, and she did something really smart by not making it a film about an autistic child. By transferring it to an adult setting she could get a little distance. And Sigourney, as you'd expect, came to the film with this massive desire to get it right. So, in a way, the autism was taken care of for me."
He's still aware, though, that autism might be difficult for audiences to accept.
"If Al Pacino plays blind, everybody knows what blindness is," is his way of putting it. "I'm not saying there's no complexity to being blind, I'm just saying that you can recognise it as an audience. But if someone plays an autistic character, there's a spectrum. They could be the Rainman-style savant or completely dysfunctional or everything in between. I think what you have to do is latch onto a specific character and that's what we did."
To help Weaver find the character, Evans employed an autistic woman called Roz Blackburn.
"She's an amazing person. She has autism but is able to comment on autism, which is rare. She's happy with the film and, basically, if Roz thinks it's okay, then that's good enough for me."
Another essential ingredient to the movie is its Canadian setting which, for once, isn't standing in for the USA. Filming took place in the town of Wawa, where the cast and crew stayed for the entire 27-day shoot. Rickman was especially pleased to be in Canada, a country he describes as his second home.
"It's an incredibly beautiful country but then so are many places in the world," he says. "It's just that I have very close friends and a goddaughter in Toronto. But I'd certainly never been to Northern Ontario before. We had a great time after we finished because we went across to Victoria and Vancouver Island."
For Evans, Canada was a mystery, especially when it came to the music. Sheepishly, he admits to placing a track by Welsh band The Super Furry Animals pride of place on the soundtrack. Fellow countrymen The Stereophonics also feature.
"The Stereophonics were in the script," he insists. "Angela is a vinyl junkie like myself and she was very specific about some of the music. But the Super Furries track I was responsible for. It just seemed the perfect song for Alex's state of mind, letting in the sunshine and all that."
In his defence, Evans did ask Emily Hampshire, who plays Alice's teenage daughter, to compile a CD of Canadian bands.
"On that CD was 'Anthem For A Seventeen Year Old Girl' by Broken Social Scene," he says. "So that song was in the film from a very early stage because I loved it so much. When we were looking to do the score, John Cale [Welsh member of The Velvet Underground who has featured in two documentaries by Evans] suggested asking Broken Social Scene, so I do feel that I paid my respects to Canadian music too."
It is a fantastic soundtrack (and it provides a hilarious scene where Rickman wails along to the Stereophonics on headphones). Though dealing with disability and grief, Snowcake manages to be uplifting without becoming mawkish. Evans is quick to praise his actors and the first-rate screenplay from Pell.
"Angela has great way of looking at her son's condition. Autism is a horrible condition but she latches onto the positives of it as well, because if you have an autistic child then you have to. At the centre of the film there's a kind of optimism which rubs off on Alan's character. People might think it's going to depress the hell out of them but it's not depressing at all."
Rickman concurs, evidently pleased to have been involved in such a good movie. Does he think he might, finally, get an Oscar nomination?
"Oh, I don't think about that side of things. It's very nice if
people want to give you a piece of metal to put on your shelf
and it helps sell the film. But it's a little crazy too: there's a
whole world going on out there."
Roxane
CA - Monday, September 04, 2006 at 02:04:58 AM (EDT)
Alan will attend the Toronto Film Festival for the screening of "Snow Cake" as confirmed here: The 31st Toronto International Film Festival Welcomes Stellar Lineup of International Stars and Special Guests!
Slope
Canada - Sunday, September 03, 2006 at 09:43:46 AM (EDT)
Julia: thanks for the BBC interview! Aurora: yes, a decent one; despite irrelevant stuff one had to listen to first . . . :).
The "villain" question is of course old hat, as you say, and I suppose the one about RHPOT is, too. AR sounds, I think, quite relaxed, even happy, in this interview. Did anybody notice the roller-coaster image?? If AR:s voice is different when he plays Alex, perhaps it's because the latter is bitter and depressed, early in SC? And then guilt-ridden, though technically innocent? What did you think about the Dogma info -- that young people ask AR questions about that, rather than HP, if I remember it correctly? I believe you're right about those three films, Aurora! Best,
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, September 03, 2006 at 07:43:53 AM (EDT)
The London Evening Standard had an article in yesterday's paper about "Perfume." Here is the online article.
I read the book years ago. I can't wait to see this one.
Maggie
UK - Saturday, September 02, 2006 at 08:13:29 PM (EDT)
Decent interview! In between some of the same old questions that interviewers seem always to ask--it seems you're typecast as a villain, did Costner really cut scenes from RHPoT--some more up to date info. AR says "in the next 3 months I have 3 films coming out." OK, fans. What's the third? 1. Snowcake 2. Perfume 3...? Nobel Son? That's just a wild guess. Also,doesn't it seem his character voice as Alex is different from his own voice as himself?
Aurora
- Saturday, September 02, 2006 at 10:53:40 AM (EDT)
AR interviewed about Snowcake on BBC Radio 4. Listen again
Julia
Canada - Saturday, September 02, 2006 at 07:08:29 AM (EDT)
"Snow Cake" will be screened at the Toronto Film Festival in September. Here are the screening dates:
Thursday, September 14 6:00 PM VISA SCREENING ROOM (ELGIN)
Saturday, September 16 2:45 PM RYERSON
More info on the film here: name of link
Slope
Canada - Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 09:55:47 PM (EDT)
Hello... I know this is an "old hat". But my hunt for a CD or Cassette or good qualtiy download version of "Blind Corner" has been futile for so long, that i must seek help. I do have have a the version which probably everyone has come accross before, which is not in very good shape. But i love the story and of course the voice....please can anyone help me ????
Thanks... Simone
Simone <s.naef@7scout7.comfoo>
Switzerland - Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 04:10:25 AM (EDT)
Thanks Martha! It was daffodil day here just yesterday for Cancer research and it's emblem is "HOPE". There is always hope isn't there? A positive view on life. I , for one, am in need of some of that positive energy at present.
AR must be working on HP5 now. I saw, Helen Mirren, mention the new director's name, at the Emmy's last night, when she won for Elizabeth the first. He directed that one as well! It looks really good. A mighty Queen. Must be something in the name hey?! Bye.
Barbara the Aussie
Gold Coast, Qld Australia - Monday, August 28, 2006 at 09:09:56 PM (EDT)
From the New York Times:
London Star to Play Rachel Corrie in New York
Megan Dodds, who performed the title role in "My Name Is Rachel Corrie" in the Royal Court Theater production in London last year, will do a reprise of the role when the critically acclaimed play has its American premiere at the Minetta Lane Theater in Greenwich Village, beginning with previews on Oct. 5 and opening on Oct. 15. The play was compiled from the diaries, letters and e-mail messages of Ms. Corrie, an American demonstrator for Palestinian rights who was 23 when she was killed by an Israeli bulldozer in Gaza. It was put together by Alan Rickman and Katharine Viner, features editor of The Guardian. At Saturday and Sunday matinees, the title role will be performed by Bree Elrod.
Renie
Back in the USA, - Monday, August 28, 2006 at 11:55:07 AM (EDT)
Hi all, lots of posting lately. Still talking about Catcher in the Rye, eh? Lol. I plan to reread it. On the other hand, as I was going to get that poster, I decided against it and got an 11 by 14 inch poster/photo of Hans Gruber!!! Also, regarding OLD TIMES, I get the feeling that won't be appearing until early 2007 because it is set for the 06/07 season. Most likely spring. I've never been to New York though I want to test the city out. So I'm hoping to visit during his run of the play as I have to see him live!!!
mwbashful18
USA - Sunday, August 27, 2006 at 07:21:03 PM (EDT)
And speaking of MNIRC, I've just discovered that there's a song about Rachel Corrie.
Julia
Canada - Sunday, August 27, 2006 at 10:34:17 AM (EDT)
In today's Observer, MNRC is mentioned as one of the ten best shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year. (The large "Fringe" section of the Festival is supposed to be a bit more experimental, daring, "progressive" . . . than the rest.) I could only count NINE shows on the top list, though, but it doesn't really matter. MNRC is summed up as "Alan Rickman's triumphant drama-doc."
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, August 27, 2006 at 08:16:54 AM (EDT)
Barbara the Aussie - I don't think politics alone would keep him away. After all, he can't like what's going on here. "Never give up, never surrender."
martha
maine, - Sunday, August 27, 2006 at 08:03:27 AM (EDT)
Thanks, and a big hello to Ali- Pat, Martha from Maine and Barbara from N.Z. Yes, I agree we can all live in hope. Martha what I meant by his Ideals is -his political beliefs. He may dislike what is happning here in Australia? AR is also fairly set in his views on what is happening in the world at present and does NOT hesitate to show it. Very determined man.
Barbara the Aussie
Gold Coast, Qld. Australia - Sunday, August 27, 2006 at 05:12:41 AM (EDT)
Barbara the Aussie, don't despair. Maybe Peter Jackson will have a tempting film up his sleeve and then all you have to do is cross the ditch. We can dream!
Barbara
Wellington, New Zealand - Saturday, August 26, 2006 at 06:59:32 PM (EDT)
Oh Barbara--don't give up! And please don't leave us. I know it seems like AR will never visit down your way, but he is a heckuva world traveler, so it may still happen! I mean, who ever would have guessed he would spend so much time in Olympia, WA or Wawa, ON?
On the Catcher in the Rye front, I have picked it up again after 20 years or so and I have to admit I am getting a kick out of it. I think my reading tastes have matured (or maybe broadened?) since I read it last. Besides, becoming an AR fan has really changed how I look at things. For example, I know that the first time I read Catcher I was not nearly so amused by his comments on The Return of the Native as I have been this time around. :0)
As for Old Times, AR's current project on the boards (fingers crossed), I have also found that one interesting. So far it has the feel of a combination of Private Lives and Play, but I haven't read that much of it yet. I can envision AR and LD in their parts, however, and I look forward to all that singing. I only wish it were not scheduled to happen so close to the run of MNiRC! Two trips to NYC in one month is going to hard for me to pull off.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, August 26, 2006 at 08:48:15 AM (EDT)
Sorry - wrong date. Its on "8." September, not 9. :o)
LG PattiD
PattiD
Germany - Saturday, August 26, 2006 at 08:13:38 AM (EDT)
NEWS from Alan:
Alan is expected on 9 September in Berlin for the premiere of "Perfume".
Source: http://www.welt.de/data/2006/08/18/1001733.html (Die WELT, Newspaper)
PattiD
Germany - Saturday, August 26, 2006 at 08:09:39 AM (EDT)
Barbara the Aussie - *waves* Good to hear from you again, and I do hope you aren't abandoning us. Don't know what you mean by AR not coming to Australia due to his beliefs; have I missed something? I always figured it was the same thing that keeps me away - geography. And while he probably has a bit more discretionary cash than I do, he may not have the time.
martha
maine, - Saturday, August 26, 2006 at 06:05:10 AM (EDT)
It is so good to be here. So many things thave changed since the last time I posted. It took me ages to be able to type here..... It seems that everything is changing now especially here on the internet. I have been adding to this wonderful guestbook since January 2001, and all that time I have nourished the hope that AR may come, once again to Australia. It seems now, in vain. I give up. It seems that AR will not be coming this way, ever, and I understand why, with the strength of his belief's. It is a pity.... I know that AR will continues to be a truly great actor, because he is, albeit in the Northern hemisphere. Goodbye.
Barbara the Aussie
Gold Coast, Qld. Australia - Saturday, August 26, 2006 at 01:23:24 AM (EDT)
Snow Cake will be screened at the Toronto Film Festival this year. More info here: name of link
Also new Minghella film "Breaking and Entering" starring Jude Law with support from Juliet Stevenson; and gala premiere for "Infamous" about Capote (yes, again) and also with support from Juliet Stevenson.
Slope
Canada - Friday, August 25, 2006 at 08:44:56 AM (EDT)
ACC: it's partly a matter of taste, I suppose. I felt totally underwhelmed when I'd just read Catcher. Perhaps this was partly because people had recommended it so strongly.
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Friday, August 25, 2006 at 07:54:36 AM (EDT)
It would be better not to encourage inappropriate posts by addressing them or validating them-the attention causes them to "run amuck"-As far as "Catcher In The Rye", it was considered a very daring and artsy book when Rickers would have read it initally-Kevin Smith named one of his characters "Holden" as an homage
ACC
- Friday, August 25, 2006 at 12:15:44 AM (EDT)
And Suzanne: I liked the SC poster very much, with its wintry colours and the triptych (spelling??)of photos.
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at 05:14:11 PM (EDT)
Suzanne,I didn't manage to get a SC ticket, I'm afraid! On the other hand I was lucky to get one for MNRC, which I hadn't seen before. Very moving -- people sitting close to me wept openly towards the end. I hadn't quite realized how exhausting this one and a half hour soliloquy must be for the actress, both physically and intellectually. It isn't as if she sat in an arm-chair -- she moves about, walks, mounts a table (I think it is), climbs a high wall and gets down the other side, and so forth, while speaking.
Sightings: don't know if AR was in Edinburgh on Monday this week (21 August), but I saw somebody very like him, at least, that day near the Book Festival, in Charlotte Square Gardens. (The Book Festival, part of the Edinburgh Festival, is an exhibition of books; these are also sold, and there are events like authors talking about their work.)The man I spotted for about two seconds was as tall as AR, and had the same kind of hair and eyes. He was wearing a rather dark blue shirt, and trousers that may have been black. And he was striding along quite fast and confidently, in what I see as a Rickmanesque manner.
Aurora: AR seems to be planning a return to the stage. He was always very successful when working with LD. Lee Eft: not because AR is famous, but because his taste generally seems rather more sophisticated, did his choice of Catcher in the Rye seem a little odd.
Mary: I didn't manage to see the red carpet bit. But perhaps it was my own fault.
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at 05:10:12 PM (EDT)
Oops! I omitted to say, "Thanks Sue!"
BTW I have Meryl Streep's birthday--and she'll always be older than I am. :)
Aurora
- Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at 07:58:23 AM (EDT)
Have you all read New's & Info? There's a report posted by Sue that AR and Lindsay Duncan may appear on Broadway this fall. Check it out! It's still reported in google news as possible and may and not confirmed by the Roundhouse Studio 54 theater, but what if...? I would have thought it would take more lead time to prepare a Broadway production--hire all the people, design and make the set, rehearse--but what do I know? The articles say they have not found an actress for one of the leading roles.
Aurora
- Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at 07:50:14 AM (EDT)
Oh, dear, do you think Alan is aware that he is not 'respechtable'?
Has Barry Manilow been cloned? I guess that why he can be designated "respechtable men".
Marli
- Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at 06:49:23 AM (EDT)
NOTE TO SELF:
People occasionally post inflamatory messages in public places to sign with email addresses of people they don't like... (might not be such a bad person who owns that email.)
And I have Barry Manilow's birthday... bet you're jealous now, lurker.
That's right... touch ME...
(I am SUCH a better fan until you reincarnate.)
IDMT
NYC, - Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 09:38:52 PM (EDT)
Post deleted.
Please refer to the third item of #13 of the FAQ
Suz (D.o.C.)
- Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 04:44:57 PM (EDT)
They did, Kate--you can see the original if you click on the link at the bottom of the posted article. I have no idea what they meant--or hope I don't, anyway.
Susan
- Monday, August 21, 2006 at 02:44:01 AM (EDT)
Susan,
Just wonder but did they really say he "fluttered" into Everyman?
Kate
NYC, - Monday, August 21, 2006 at 12:04:52 AM (EDT)
If you want Corrie Tickets for NY shows get them NOW.
I am pretty sure they will be sold out by September. I was talking to a friend of mine who got me a good discount on tickets. They will get more expensive the longer you wait. I can't wait.
Good Luck.
Hope to see you, and the man in October.
Some useful info: If anyone here is a student/faculty of a accredited university you can get a discount. If the business you work for has a NYC office you may be able to get a discount. Also ticketmaster (in my opinion) is overpriced. If you live in the city go and buy them from the window you save like $10-20 depending on the show. Since these are cheap, you may only save like $10-15 dollars.
Kate
NYC, - Monday, August 21, 2006 at 12:01:54 AM (EDT)
There's a video of Rickman walking and talking on the red carpet et the snow cake premiere in Edinburgh. CLICK HERE and scroll down to "day two: snow cake."
Mary
OR - Sunday, August 20, 2006 at 02:26:21 PM (EDT)
That's all fantastic! Does anybody know where it is possible to reas Perfume in English? I saw the two versions: in German and Russian, but I am not going to read it that way. Please help me!
Thank you very much!
Yulia
Yulia Ivanova <azureinsky_brillianceinlife@yahoo.comfoo>
- Sunday, August 20, 2006 at 12:43:19 PM (EDT)
That's a wonderful interview, thank you, Amy for posting it (and Vera for translating and Greta for offering!).
Sheena, thank you for the Film Programme BBC Radio 4 news! I will try to capture it, in case anyone misses it.
Sue, what an amazing interview! Thanks so much for making it and posting it on the News Page! I know "yousendit" expires after awhile, so I have uploaded it to my server and you can also download it here: The Edinburgh Show (right click on link and choose "save target as")
And thanks for posting the link to Momentum Picures, too. I don't know if anybody noticed, but the trailer on that site is a bit different then the one we've seen before. And this is the first time I've seen the Snow Cake poster. Thanks again!
And thank you, Susan, for the Snow Cake sound clips, the info about the preview in Hampstead and new release dates! I will update the Schedule ASAP. And thanks, Julia and Emma, for the Edinburgh articles!
I saw your debut in Entertainment Weekly, mwbashful18! Now, how old exactly was that photo? ;-) I hope they take your advice. *grin* Would you like me to post a scan?
Pia Susanna, I'm sorry to hear you couldn't get a ticket before they were sold out, but I hope you were able to get a return ticket. And Teaqueen, too! Have you seen AR in Edinburgh yet? :-)
Hi, Ann! It's so good to "see" you again. I'm sure New York doesn't miss me as much as I miss it! I wish I could go, but unfortunately I don't think I can make it this time. So I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that MNiRC will go on tour through the U.S. and eventually down here. After all, AR did say (on the Edinburgh Show) that he hopes it plays everywhere :-)
And thank you, everyone, for your welcome back! Sheffe, you're right, it looks like the lightning came through the phone line (which I usually also disconnect, but this was one of the few times I forgot and......*sigh*). Unfortunately, my computer problems have not ended. Seems my new motherboard does not want to cooperate very well with my harddrive, for many of my programs crash or freeze up shortly after I open them (including my browser and e-mail!), which is making it difficult to get anything done! So, please bare with me while I try to fix these problems. I know I have a lot of e-mail to answer. And I saw lots of yahoo alerts, too, with photos and info etc. from the Edinburgh Festival. I know some of you get these alerts, so could you please post the info, photos and links here? Thanks in advance, I'd really appreciate it!
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
I received your package, Ali-Pat, thank you! I'll write as soon as I can!, TX USA - Sunday, August 20, 2006 at 12:41:20 PM (EDT)
Cool beans! But what happened to the English trailer? Wasn't it there before or am I dreaming? Thanks Greta. I saw a translation of taht interview on Vera's live journal yesterday. http://veradee.livejournal.com/11957.html#cutid1 (sorry I'm scared I'll goof up if I try to make a link) Sounds as if his character will have a larger part in the movie than in the book which makes me very happy. I'll paste the interview here also............................................................
You play the merchant Antoine Richis. What can you tell us about your character?
The most important fact about him is that he's the father of a daughter. Actually, he's father and mother to Laure because his wife has died. As a rich merchant he leads a privileged life, living in a big house. But his main characteristic is that he's too protective of his daughter. As he always says, "She is everything I have."
What happens to his daughter during the film?
Everything that happens in the film is related to the story of Grenouille. Richis will personally meet the main character only at the end, though. Until then he only knows that there's a serial killer in the vicinity who kills beautiful young girls. Since Richis' daughter is among the most beautiful girls of the town, he assumes - quite rightfully - that his daughter is in danger. And so he becomes a Sherlock Holmes of sorts. The other influential men in town only react to the danger by making a fuss. Only Richis does use his head and try to outwit the unknown, lethal power.
Can you sympathise with Grenouille's strange inclination to find the all-dominant perfume by all means?
Actually, I can, but the situation gets problematic when Grenouille turns into a murderer. Then it becomes impossible for someone to justify their inclination. But I think that generally one should try to put oneself into a serial killer's psyche in order to understand why the react this and not that way. If not, such a person would remain incomprehensible to us. Most certainly society influences an offender as well. The character in our story was left on his own as a baby and misused during his childhood. Therefore he doesn't have another choice than to develop an inclination that he, as the greatest expert, is absolutely convinced of. It doesn't surprise me really that a person like Grenouille, who lives in his own reality only, gets obsessed by an fixed idea.
What impressed you most about the plot?
I can only speak about the script because I haven't read the novel. But when I heard that Tom Tykwer would do the film, I instantly wanted to be a part of it. I like stories about obsessed people. (laughs) And I think that Richis - like Grenouille - shows a kind of obsession, aiming to protect his daughter from the eerie murderer.
Did you actually know Tom Tykwer's previous films?
Of course, I did my homework! (laughs) Almost everyone knows Run, Lola, Run. I've only missed The Princess and the Warrior. And then there's this wonderful short film True, which I liked very much. Tykwer is a remarkable film-maker, who not only controls every detail (of the picture) but every millisecond within. He's understood it to make use of this short optical power that only lasts for a blink - when the eye is opened and closed again right away. This fast-paced technique is part of his mode of narrating. Therefore, for an actor it's always exciting again to completely trust such a film-maker.
Therefore, would you describe him as an actors' director?
He's very certain in the way how he realises what he has come up with in his imagination. He already has it all in his mind, each shot, each scene, yes the entire film. That doesn't mean, though, that it wouldn't be possible to change things. He has a sunny disposition, as we Englishmen say. This is rather rare in this business, particularly in a film director who suffers from an enormous pressure due to the budget and the limited production time. To have someone on the set who smiles even in the most stressful moments is very special and provides a lot of power for all staff members.
What was the collaboration with Bernd Eichinger like?
I would say Bernd lives in constant danger of bursting one day because he's so passionate about film-making. He's so enthusiastic, and even more so with such a huge production like this. But he fought so hard for the film that it can only be a success. Apart from that, I witnessed how amicably he and Tom interacted with each other so that Tom could feel very supported. Therefore, Bernd's presence was noticeable even when he wasn't at the set for once.
The set designers did everything to make the film look as authentic as possible. Contemporary furniture was used; costume and other accessoires were recreated. How did you feel among these "antique" pieces?
I think that above everyone else the set designers did a incredibly god job. But I have to point out that when the film was shot everything around us looked slightly different than it will look like on the screen. Especially the fish market, which was recreated in Barcelona, looked awful with all this waste. And one pan shot to the side, you suddenly were in this beautiful house with this nice marble floor, where Richis and Laure live. The set designers just had to paint the walls, erect incredibly valuable old furniture and finally see to that special kind of film magic so that a fascinated member of the audience will ask himself, "To whom belongs this enchanting place?" Everything a rich man needed in the 18th century was there: a beautiful terrace for the birthday scene and right beside a maze, where Laure could get lost in. That definitely was a little miracle!
Amy
- Saturday, August 19, 2006 at 08:01:36 PM (EDT)
The Perfume website was updated recently. There is now a picture of Alan on the TRAILER page and an interview on the CREDITS page. I will translate if you like me to.
Greta
Germany - Saturday, August 19, 2006 at 07:45:29 PM (EDT)
As Sue posted elsewhere, the IMDb (http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0448124/releaseinfo) now lists these release dates for Snowcake:
UK--8 September 2006;
Germany--2 November 2006;
USA--12 November 2006 (AFI Film Festival);
Argentina--30 November 2006;
USA--1 December 2006 (Los Angeles, California);
USA--1 December 2006 (New York City, New York);
USA--25 December 2006 (limited);
France--27 December 2006;
Spain--23 March 2007
Susan
- Saturday, August 19, 2006 at 02:03:33 PM (EDT)
I don't see why he shouldn't like an "unsubtle" book like Catcher in the Rye (if it IS unsubtle, which I personally doubt). He may very well like ordinary tea with milk as well, and plain chocolate HobNobs (with milk), and reading the Sunday paper in his pyjamas. Were I ever to get famous, I would not like to think I'd have to give up liking peanut butter sandwiches, and Fig Newtons with milk.
(Hmmmm ... maybe he likes M&Ms in his cereal?)
Lee Eft
- Wednesday, August 16, 2006 at 09:29:27 PM (EDT)
posted elsewhere by Suzyred:
Alan Rickman flutters into Everyman for 'Snow Cake'
Award-winning actor Alan Rickman and director Marc Evans present a charity preview screening of their latest film 'Snow Cake' followed by a Q&A session on 5 September 2006 to raise funds for St Stephen's in Hampstead.
Nominated for the top prize at this year's Berlin Film Festival, Rickman plays the tight-lipped, spiritually lost Englishman Alex Hughes who forges an unexpected bond with an autistic woman, Linda, following his arrival in small-town Canada. He becomes increasingly involved in Linda's life and forms a relationship with her sassy independent neighbour Maggie (Carrie-Anne Moss). When Alex finally gets back on the road he has exorcised his inner demons, and the town he leaves behind has also been transformed.
"It's those small releases of emotion that happen in real life that you notice in a really well-written script," Rickman says, adding "It's going to be an education to people on one level, but it's hugely entertaining and very funny and touching as well."
The screening will raise funds for St Stephen's situated at the junction of Rosslyn Hill and Pond Street, NW3. Built in 1869, St Stephen's is Grade 1 listed with remarkable interior and is the major London work of notable English architect Samuel Teulon who specialised in the Victorian style of Gothic churches. After many years of neglect, a public fundraising scheme is underway to restore the landmark site and once again bring it back to the community for both public and private events.
'Snow Cake' Charity Preview followed by Alan Rickman Q&A takes place on Tuesday 5 September at 8.45pm
Tickets £20 with proceeds to St Steven's, Hampstead - to book, please visit www.everymancinema.com or call the Box Office on 0870 066 4777.
Susan
- Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at 01:03:47 PM (EDT)
Far out Sheena! So is there a way to save the radio program to my computer?
It looked like Alan WILL be (or likely already is) in Edinburgh. Here's a snippet from yesterday's Edinburgh Festival website
Lauded drama Snow Cake gets its UK premiere on day two of the EIFF and director Marc Evans will be accompanied by the incomparable Alan Rickman and Reel Life interviewee Sigourney Weaver.
Emma
- Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at 09:58:10 AM (EDT)
Sheena, great news! Thanks for the link. And mwbashful, I don't quite know what you mean, but it sounds as if congratulations are in order.
Aurora
- Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at 08:17:26 AM (EDT)
The Film Programme on BBC Radio 4 is to air an interview with Alan Rickman on Friday 1st September 4:30pm to 5pm. Details: Chris Tookey talks to Alan Rickman about his role in Snow Cake, a powerful drama in which he plays a road accident survivor who befriends an autistic woman.
Those of you outside of the UK will be able to listen online at Film Programme The programme also holds the interviews for a little while so if you can't get to a computer at the time you can always listen to it later.
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Bekshire UK - Monday, August 14, 2006 at 07:30:56 PM (EDT)
Guess what? I made Entertainment Weekly! Little snippet with an old graduation pic of me that I managed to find n the internet from a local newspaper that I sent in. They played around with what I actually said so it's not exactly accurate, but hey, who cares?!
mwbashful18
USA - Saturday, August 12, 2006 at 03:37:02 PM (EDT)
This week's Guardian Guide has a story about the Edinburgh film festival, which features a photo of Sigourney Weaver in Snowcake and says that she will be sharing the stage with Kevin Smith (who premieres his film Clerks II) for a Q&A session. Article
Julia
Canada - Saturday, August 12, 2006 at 11:00:23 AM (EDT)
Unfortunately Entertainment Weekly would not allow me to send a photo through the mail and I don't have a digital camera so i don't think I will be appearing in the issue of EW. But it was close!
My college that I start in September has a forum for us to post in so we can meet classmates before school starts. I have already found a fellow Rickmaniac.
I too cannot wait for Snowcake to be released. And I am really looking forward to seeing Order of the Phoenix next summer. A girl who's uncle was working on the film crew for ORDER told her what the basic plan was for ORDER'S plot. It's a tentative outline of what the film will look like and could change, but nevertheless explains that they are including Snape more than normal - can we wonder why? lol Here's the website: http://www.mugglenet.com/app/news/full_story/240 I'm excited nonetheless and even more so for HBP. It's a little over 2 years away! Goodie!
Fir, the puzzle is carried by my local newspaper, but comes from the Los Angeles Times Daily puzzle. it might be online, but I prefer good old paper and pen (erasable. Suzanne, glad your computer problem is over. I lost my printer and scanner last week due to lightning also. My helpful son is installing the new stuff while I'm on vacation. I can do it (whine), but it takes me a long time.
kit
pa usa - Wednesday, August 09, 2006 at 08:23:21 PM (EDT)
A great scene from Snowcake:
Snowcake Sound Clip 1
Snowcake Sound Clip 2
Susan
- Wednesday, August 09, 2006 at 07:49:33 PM (EDT)
Dear Suzanne,
Unplugging the power is good, but remember to unplug whatever connects you to the internet as well. Phone and cable lines are both wonderful lightning conductors too, unfortunately!
Sheffe
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA USA - Wednesday, August 09, 2006 at 07:15:13 PM (EDT)
Ah dear. Yes I too am waiting for returns for SnowCake. Do we know if its going to be distributed on a larger scale after the festivals. I have a horrible feeling that I am gonna miss this event as the tickets are like gold dust.
Also does anyone know where Alan is right now. I thought he would have made an appearance at the Edinburgh Festival as he has his play here and a film. But I have yet to see him. Despite my best efforts of stalking.
Teaqueen
Edinburgh, - Wednesday, August 09, 2006 at 01:38:16 PM (EDT)
Suzanne, I'm sorry, for your sake and mine, but both performances of Snowcake at the Edinburgh Festival are sold out. So, unless I'm lucky (tickets may be returned), I won't be able to see this film, not this month at least.
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Wednesday, August 09, 2006 at 08:30:48 AM (EDT)
Suzanne, nice to have you back where you belong! There may be some problems re tickets, but if at all possible I'll see Snowcake (should it be one word?) on 17 August. I'd be glad to write a short review, but it would have to be towards the end of this month, as I'll go away for some days.
And Tracy, yes, thanks for those really nice photos! One, of Weaver, makes her look as if she'd been painted by some 17th c. artist. The spring (?) light in the picture where Alex and Maggie are sitting by the lake, or so it seems, is lovely. Is it Lake Superior -- does anybody know? And is it really Scrabble? I suppose it is, but I thought first of some jigsaw puzzle. -- One gets the impression that Alex looks younger towards the end of the film; that his rejuvenation is shown also physically.
Best,
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Wednesday, August 09, 2006 at 08:10:45 AM (EDT)
Hi, Suzanne! I'm sorry to hear about your computer troubles, but glad they are fixed and you are back! I haven't been here in quite a long time. It's so good to be among old friends again! Thanks for the info on "My Name Is Rachel Corrie". I'll call tomorrow for tickets. Will you be coming up for that? New York misses you!
Ann
NJ USA - Wednesday, August 09, 2006 at 01:35:13 AM (EDT)
Hi guys, I'm back!
I can't tell you how much I missed you all! Talk about withdrawal symptoms. As Fausta mentioned (thank you for letting everyone know, Fausta!), my computer was fried by lightning on July 22nd, so I've spent the last two + weeks putting one together and configuring it to work right (with help from my wonderful computer guy). Alas, the motherboard and every card attached was ruined by lightning. The only thing that wasn't harmed was the harddrive (thank God!) and CD-ROM, so we practically had to start from scratch. Anyway, finally got it all together and it's working fine so far and now I have a lot of catching up to do! To everyone who has e-mailed me, please be patient with me and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Oh, and please remind me to never leave my house again without unplugging my computer. *sigh*
Ellen, thank you so much for that amazing interview from Scotsman.com! A few things we've heard before, but lots of fresh stuff, too. He doesn't do many interviews, I enjoyed it very much.
And thanks, Tracy, for those fantastic Snowcake photos! I wish we knew of a release date for the U.S. already.
Pia susanna, are you planning to see Snowcake at the Edinburgh Festival on the 15th or 17th (or both *grin*)? I'm really looking forward to your review! Is anybody else going?
Thanks for the links, Aurora and Julia (italics fixed, BTW) and Georgiana and Sue, for all the great articles, info and photos on the News Page!
mwbashful18, to answer your question (though not to dampen your hopes or anything), Melanie once told me that she forwards most of AR's mail to him, because he genuinely enjoys reading the letters from his fans. But because of the large volume and his busy schedule, he doesn't always have time to respond. But there's always hope! :-) And congrats (I think!) on your appearance in Entertainment Weekly. Do you know which week? And I would love to see AR on The Actor's Studio, also! *crossing fingers* Thanks, by the way, for the link to the photo of the READ poster.
And thank you, Ali-Pat and Sue, for the update on the READ poster! It (and he) look really good. I would have never thought it would be Catcher in the Rye, either. I read the book when I was a teenager, but it must not have made much of an impression on me, because I can't remember any of it! I guess I'll just have to read it again to refresh my memory. :-)
Welcome aboard, Cindy, Jake and MVH, and it's so good to see you again, Lee Elf!
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Tuesday, August 08, 2006 at 10:09:47 PM (EDT)
Heh. I don't think anybody said anything about conspiracy theories. But kids are informed on any subject once it's present to them, thanks to wikis and google. It's unfortunate with all that ease that so many ideas are banned in today's classrooms. Not teaching them to one generation loses the ability in the next. Eventually lost is any rightful concern about them as well. Thus the humor in unexpected rediscovery.
IDMT
- Tuesday, August 08, 2006 at 07:32:06 PM (EDT)
kit PA, I'd love to know what crossword puzzle you were doing Friday. Is your paper online? Thanks
fir
- Tuesday, August 08, 2006 at 04:21:37 PM (EDT)
WoW is right! Thanks Tracy - love that smile. The poster photo is good, too. He sure is aging well. *sigh*
martha
maine, - Tuesday, August 08, 2006 at 07:08:02 AM (EDT)
I ordered my poster! Thanks Ali-Pat.
LARGE Snowcake photos. I think this site was mentioned before but a lot of new pictures were added that I haven't seen before. Especially new to me are close up (WOW), smile (WOW again), doorway?, scrabble, fence
Tracy
- Monday, August 07, 2006 at 10:40:29 PM (EDT)
Hey gang--the poster is now on the ALA site. Have a look! (Hope I didn't mess up the link--I'm in a rush!)
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Monday, August 07, 2006 at 03:43:43 PM (EDT)
I don't know. I suppose 'Catcher in the Rye' is an interesting choice. Like I said, I was expecting something obscure from a British author because he strikes me as being away from the norm in a way. 'Catcher in the Rye' did strike me as being too popular and common in a way. And I think he's far from that. So heck, I think I was actually expecting 'Bridget Jones' Diary' more than "Holden Caulfield", lol! Or even a Harry Potter book even. I wasn't even thinking 'Catcher' so I can understand why everyone is rather stumped. lol
mwbashful18
- Monday, August 07, 2006 at 02:45:35 PM (EDT)
hi. I just love that carakter as Severus Snape! you are briliant:)
MVH
Vilde
i love
- Monday, August 07, 2006 at 11:17:22 AM (EDT)
Guest, Ali-Pat, and others: One can understand the choice of book, supposing, as you do, that AR read it early in life, and perhaps identified with the narrator. But in spite of this, I'm still surprised at the choice. Consider his normal tastes -- surely far more refined? He likes Shakespeare's sonnets, and Dylan Thomas (at least AR read his "Fern Hill" in public on some occasion); has directed the lyrical, beautiful WG, with its existential slant. Surely one had some reason to expect something subtler than Catcher in the Rye? Best,
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, August 07, 2006 at 07:22:56 AM (EDT)
I know we all know this, but this GB is a really good, classy Web site. I just visited a fan site of another actor, out of curiosity and wanting to find some basic info on the guy, and the site I found was not only five years out of date, it was silly, and lacking in any straightforward, factual biographical info or good pics.
Kudos, Suzanne--I've always liked this GB--now I appreciate it even more!
Lee Eft
- Sunday, August 06, 2006 at 07:49:49 PM (EDT)
Well, I highly doubt Alan Rickman is taking part in a grand conspiracy theory to encourage rebelliousness in teenagers by admitting himself to be a fan of 'Catcher in the Rye'. More or less students who see him on the poster wil be thinking more along the lines of "Who's that?" because without the wig or a mention of Snape, not many will quickly associate him. I think it's simply a matter of having read the book when he was a teen and just enjoying and perhaps feeling it was a voice for his generation; or at least perhaps a voice for him if he was so influenced. That's all.
Hazel
USA - Sunday, August 06, 2006 at 01:11:08 PM (EDT)
Hmm.. maybe it's just a matter of marketing only to the audience of school reading posters. I remember there were a lot of books that were censored because of their rebellious message. I had no idea who Ayn Rand was until I was 23. We even had a very well-liked teacher who was fired for admitting he listened to Pink Floyd's another brick in the wall once. In a lot of places, it just isn't tolerated. It might just be a nod to Snape worshiping little gothlings who need some perspective outside of such sterility. If school systems that have forgotten what catcher in the rye is end up hanging these innocuous reading posters in prime locations, then it's a little bit like tagging a train car with some well-placed graffiti. Only the kids know what it means. If that's the case, I'd find it funny.
IDMT
nyc, - Sunday, August 06, 2006 at 12:42:47 PM (EDT)
Sorry I took so long to respond, pia susanna, but yes--the general idea for the ALA Celebrity READ posters is that the celeb chooses a favorite book or one that has had a great influence on them. The posters are part of the ALA's long-running campaign to get people of all ages to read more, and they are also a great fund raiser for them. I never would have guessed the book AR chose, but I guess I am not that surprised! However, by this point, the book has been assigned in so many high school literature classes I don't think it can classed as radical reading anymore. I think most kids who read it are probably thinking, "oh yeah, right--where's the graphic novel version?"
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Sunday, August 06, 2006 at 08:35:29 AM (EDT)
"Catcher in the Rye," "A Clockwork Orange" . . . I wouldn't have been surprised if he'd picked either of them...I mean he's a middle-aged male Brit (by that I mean, look at the time during which he was a teen). I'd've been a lot more surprised (tho' perhaps identified with his choice better) if he'd picked "Black Beauty"!
Guest
- Saturday, August 05, 2006 at 08:19:33 PM (EDT)
I just think it's kinda interesting that when you want to search Oxford University's online union library catalogue, the example Oxford gives you for how to search is "Rowling, J"
(Trivia for the day:)
Lee Eft
- Saturday, August 05, 2006 at 08:13:15 PM (EDT)
Well, I suppose he read the book when he was young. I checked and it was released in 1951, which as we know was only 5 years after his birth. He probably read the book in school or on his own perhaps and just maybe identified with the character. Maybe not feeling depressed, or we don't know, maybe he was. But nevertheless he may have liked the character for being different and for questioning society and rules and expectations. And he probably just remembers it fondly now. I know when I am older I will always look back fondly on Harry Potter books, but I think I will have a certain appreciation for 'Pride and Prejudice' as well as 'Wicked'. I do think Hermione Granger, Elphaba, and Lizzy Bennet are some of the more heroic female characters in literature and I think I will care most about them later in life. So if I ever were to appear on the poster, I suppose it would come down to either HP or Wicked or P&P.
Patti: Read poster
Julia
Canada - Saturday, August 05, 2006 at 05:11:43 PM (EDT)
I'd love to see the READ poster of Alan, but I can't seem to get the link to work. Can anyone help? Thanks.
Patti <pattipalenz@bellsouth.netfoo>
AL USA - Saturday, August 05, 2006 at 11:59:13 AM (EDT)
Ali-Pat and others, Yes, AR looks lovely in the picture, but I, too, was surprised -- almost shocked -- to discover what book he chose. I read Catcher in the Rye once; somebody had recommended it, but I was totally underwhelmed. I don't remember the rules/conditions of this poster thing -- were celebrities meant to encourage young people to read? Because, in that case, I may understand the choice more easily. Supposing it really IS AR's favourite book, disregarding its possible appeal to young people, is a different matter. I, too, had expected his taste to be a little more sophisticated.
Best,
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Friday, August 04, 2006 at 05:29:35 PM (EDT)
I guess by "adolescent" I meant that it seemed like a book one reads and finds deeply inspirational and meaningful and transformative as a teenager; I doubt that for the 60-year old Rickman Holden Caulfield's anti-social tendencies have quite as much resonance. But this has gotten me thinking about what book I would choose, and it's not as easy as it seems.
Julia
Canada - Friday, August 04, 2006 at 03:42:39 PM (EDT)
62 across in today's crossword puzzle: Actor Rickman. I got THAT one! Friday's puzzle is always hard and i I only have 10 other answers.
kit
pa usa - Friday, August 04, 2006 at 02:38:11 PM (EDT)
I don't know if I'd call 'Catcher in the Rye' "adolescent" exactly. It's considered one of the foremost American novels of the 20th century and although about a teen, it does cater to the time period it was set and is, well, controversial given some of the events because Holden Caulfield was a teen.
The site says that the celebrities get to pick their favorite book and I think it was a bit obvious that they get to - Britney Spears picked 'Harry Potter'; Stephen Hawking picked 'Marilyn Monroe'; Landon Donovan chose 'Hearts In Atlantis'; Ice Cube chose 'The Greatest: Muhammad Ali' and so on. Some picked favorite children's books like Denzel Washington and others picked "literature." I don't think those titles were on a table available for picking. Too diverse. I think the celebrities just went out and got pretty-looking copy before the shoot. AR just had to get the orange book that makes him look really tan though, lol.
I suppose I was expecting an obscure novel from an English author from Rickman. Something that he found and can recommend that not everyone is familiar with. I guess 'Catcher in the Rye' is just too popular; that's why I was expecting something different. But now I have something else I can add when I write back again - I can suggest 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' because it is rather similar to 'Catcher in the Rye' but more modern. And I think he'd find the 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' storyline rather funny. lol
Oh damn. Sorry about italicising the entire GB, guys. I was trying to be pedantic, and italicise the book titles, but I guess I went a step too far!
Julia
Canada - Friday, August 04, 2006 at 09:48:27 AM (EDT)
Thanks for the link, mwbashful18. I guess I'm less surprised at AR choosing The Catcher in the Rye than I would have been at him picking, oooh, I don't know, Bridget Jones' Diary or something. But it does seem a bit hackneyed and adolescent. I can see the appeal of the classic boy-versus-social-norms story, though, and AR does like stories with that kind of moral thread. Perhaps the celebrities had to choose from a pre-selected list of classics?
I wonder if that's the pinstripe jacket that was described in the Scotsman interview posted a few days back?
Julia
Canada - Friday, August 04, 2006 at 09:46:56 AM (EDT)
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f6/Krystalfull/Alan%20Favorites/PosterforRead-1.jpg
Here we have it!!!!!!! The READ poster! He looks very tanned. But it is lovely, isn't it!!!?
mwbashful18
USA - Friday, August 04, 2006 at 12:16:57 AM (EDT)
Thanks for sharing, Ali-Pat! I can't wait to see the poster! * sits with phone in hand waiting for morning *
Aurora
- Thursday, August 03, 2006 at 09:51:46 PM (EDT)
Oh gosh, have you seen the portrait? You called it beautiful, so have you seen it? And Catcher in the Rye, wow! Did not expect that neither. I've read it already - darn, I was hoping he could enlighten me to something new! Well, Rye is due for a rereading. But I'm making August Jane Austen month as I just took out three of her novels, not S&S or P&P by the way as I own them. Hmmm. Well, I'm getting the poster for my dorm room!!!!
mwbashful18
USA - Thursday, August 03, 2006 at 09:28:22 PM (EDT)
Yippeee!!! The Rickman ALA poster is now available to order by phone! Call 1-866-SHOPALA to place an order. The poster is not on the ALA site yet, but will be there next week. Don't pass this one up--it is a beautiful portrait. How many people guessed that he would be holding The Catcher in the Rye as his favorite book? I didn't!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Thursday, August 03, 2006 at 03:50:35 PM (EDT)
The franchise which, quite appropriately, will not die: Bruce Willis is back.
Julia
Canada - Thursday, August 03, 2006 at 11:39:44 AM (EDT)
mwbashful18, you're right, I think, on AR and HP. Surely AR is an HP fan -- he has mentioned the books approvingly, and, yes, he has discussed SS, if perhaps not often or at length. I remember AR saying there are "such deep waters" in that character, that he (SS) resents being merely a teacher, and more. Your guess that AR doesn't wish to disclose anything about appearing as SS (if I got you right)in the HPHBP film links in with JKR's having told AR something that nobody else knows about SS. Incidentally, it's very neat the way she gradually reveals new aspects of her characters! This is unusually sophisticated for children's lit. It reminds me most of Lawrence Durrell's The Alexandria Quartet. For instance, not till HPOP do we find out anything about SS's troubled past. --
I don't know if I'd care to be "Obsessive Fan of the Week" -- that's not quite my idea of 15 minutes of fame -- but as long as you're happy, mwbashful18! --
And, yes, why not let AR talk about his craft; he's clearly more aware and articulate than most.
Best,
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Thursday, August 03, 2006 at 08:00:41 AM (EDT)
I have read probably three or four separate interviews in which Rickman has addressed either the HP series or his character Snape; two of which stick out for me in which he talks about Snape having a "redemptive quality" and that "Snape tries to not let Harry get to him too much", and also talks of the HP films in a LOVE, ACTUALLY interview being this little "pocket" of existence and he doesn't even feel like they're work. He speaks very highly of his role and the films as a whole and seems to LOVE being a part of it. But suddenly he refuses to talk about any aspect of the films which to me seems he has read HBP and just doesn't want to open up discussion when it's not his place to open it. Very respectable.
As for my news today, I was contacted by Entertainment Weekly, the magazine, due to an email I sent them about my fascination with Alan Rickman. They want to publish part of my letter that I sent along with a pic of me and some AR-related items in their "Obsessive Fan of the Week" spot in their magazine. I'm excited. I just need a pic to send to them and I'll make some ink. Cool, eh?
Also, dunno if I mentioned this but I did email James Lipton at Inside the Actors Studio with a full complaint/request to have Alan Rickman appear for a taping. I pointed out that if there is anyone who enjoys talking about "the craft", it's Alan Rickman. I heard someone else wrote to them too. I mentioned a time period when Rickman will be in NY to Lipton in hopes they'll take this into consideration. I just want to hear what AR would say to those questions: "What turns you on?" We can all guess now that it's jasmine, lol! Or, "What turns you off?" We can guess, rabid journalists who have no interest in an actor's work but in the actor's personal life. "What is your favorite curse word?" Hmmm, wonder about that one. "And if God exists, what would you like him too say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?" I definitely want to know this one as nearly everyone tries to be funny.
The actual quote is:
"Oh, God, it's years since I played the villain," says Rickman wearily. "I haven't played a baddie for ages."
Interpret it as you will; for me it sounds like he's not playing Snape as either a villian or a baddie. :-) We do know from past interviews that he refuses to discuss Snape, saying something like he (Snape)is a character in a children's book.
snapes_witch
- Wednesday, August 02, 2006 at 03:08:39 AM (EDT)
Yes, mwbashful18, you may have a point! It seems that the topic of our Severus was off limits, for this interview, so what happens in HPHBP had to be implied. Best,
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, August 01, 2006 at 05:32:25 PM (EDT)
Hooray mwbashful18! Thanks for the news! Now if only Blind Corner...
And guest--very funny!
Ali-Pat again
Hot, hot Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, August 01, 2006 at 07:25:56 AM (EDT)
If AR were a horse ... horsepic
guest
- Tuesday, August 01, 2006 at 12:53:45 AM (EDT)
I think he was just saying it's been a long time since he actually played "bad" and probably he's still tired that everyone brings it up to him - it's either women fawning over him or the villain thing. I imagine he's just bugged by it now. So I suppose the sarcasm of "it's been ages" probably means, "But I'll be back in villain mode in a few years when we get HBP going!" That's when he'll play "a bad guy" again. But that doesn't mean Snape will always be "bad"!
As for something neat, Amazon.com is listing 'Return of the Native' as being available on CD on January 28, 2007!!! Goody goody gum drop!
mwbashful18
USA - Monday, July 31, 2006 at 02:51:20 PM (EDT)
Hi snapes_witch, I'm glad you agree. But what do you mean by "his slip about villains/baddies"? Best,
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, July 31, 2006 at 07:41:04 AM (EDT)
RH retired the summer of 2002.
The interview was a bit sloppy, but I enjoyed it anyway. Especially his slip about villians/baddies. Merely confirms my opinion of Snape! ;-)
snapes_witch
- Monday, July 31, 2006 at 12:31:16 AM (EDT)
Oh, I suppose I mean that PL was PERFORMED in London in the 2001-2002 season. Not that it was produced there twice during that period.
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, July 30, 2006 at 09:39:14 AM (EDT)
Hi Ellen,
Thanks for the interview, fresh out of the oven!It was nice to find that AR is quoted so much, and that he plans to return to the stage soon. Also, it's interesting that he thinks Alex in Snow Cake is similar to himself. "the frozen wastes of Alex's heart thaw" matches my interest in (winter) imagery.
But isn't the interview a bit sloppy as well, or am I too critical? "women of a certain age" -- it seems to me, from what I've seen on the net, that females between the ages of 11 and 98, or so, find him attractive. And is the quote from Duncan correct? I seem to remember having read it in a different form. And doesn't the journalist STICK TO the "best villain" thing after all, even though AR disapproves?
Moreover, is RH still -- or again -- a lecturer at Kingston University? It might have been mentioned that MNRC was shown in London also before the production in NYC was cancelled. PL was staged in London both in 2002 and 2001, and in NYC later in 2002. The directors of AR:s new films should have been mentioned, too, methinks.(Or perhaps they are mentioned somewhere, only I didn't register this. I couldn't find them when hunting for them just now.)
Sorry if I seem crusty -- I suppose I went to bed a little too late last night! Best,
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, July 30, 2006 at 09:14:39 AM (EDT)
AR interview: http://living.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1092402006
Ellen
- Sunday, July 30, 2006 at 02:51:10 AM (EDT)
I think the point, and here I'm going to be one of those arrogant people again who thinks they can predict what a movie's creators were thinking when they created it, but I think the point of cornering autism in a negative light is to express that it's a personality issue that is bonded to a person and all their relationships, but does not mean the person who has it is nesseccarally unlikable or branded fron an identical, defective mold. It just means you can like someone who has obsessions and compulsions even if you don't appreciate the way those elements invade the lives of those people with the disorder, mostly in respect to how they interact with other people. The person is not "an autistic" as if it's like a badge, it just means they're likely predisposed to filter life through a certain set of (sometimes heightened, sometimes totally neurotic) sensory experiences.
The research suggest it's because of an overabundance of nerve endings in the brain. So it's a cloudy sort of disorder. Who's to say how many nerve endings make an "official" autistic person? who's to say a few extra nerve endings didn't actually do some good in early evolutionary times? Maybe we all have a few too many marbles in some part of our brains, sort of like the cracker jack prize at the botom of the box. I knew a guy who was born with six fingers once. And yes, he loved The Princess Bride...
IDMT
NYC, - Friday, July 28, 2006 at 07:45:47 PM (EDT)
I suspect the comment about 'what a pig autism is', is another way of saying 'it's an absolute b*tch'.
Snape's Witch
- Thursday, July 27, 2006 at 11:40:17 PM (EDT)
Aurora, No, I hadn't discovered how to enlarge the Weaver interview -- didn't manage till today! Thanks! (Not that I tried very hard before.)
I didn't get that bit about shoes either -- thought that autists always obsessed a bit about order, as Linda with her kitchen. From the trailer, I couldn't have pigeonholed Linda as an autist, if other people hadn't said that she is. She seems to me child-like, innocent, maybe a little odd, but not more so than many people I meet daily . . . : ), or even myself. I ate fresh snow as a small child. The "orgasm" scene, where Linda talks, quite happily, about eating snow, is delightful.
The only exception (I'm still thinking of the trailer) from the non-pathological impression Linda/Weaver creates seems to be Linda's inability to see the connection between emotions and their expressions. There is this half very sad, half funny scene where Alex (Rickman's character) sits weeping over his tea, because he was driving the car during that crash where Linda's daughter died. Linda asks him if there is anything wrong with the tea! She can't spontaneously link his behaviour with his feeling guilt-ridden.
Best,
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Thursday, July 27, 2006 at 08:26:10 AM (EDT)
Hi I like your Character In harry potter series plus i liked in the 4th harry potter movie Were harry and ron are talking and you pulled your sleeves up and Pushed There heads Down i Laughed At That part and when you take house points away in the harry potter movies but in the 2nd harry potter Game one of the students said snape is always awarding house points to Slytheirin
Jake <gnr4coma@yahoo.comfoo>
mooresville, in United States - Thursday, July 27, 2006 at 04:46:38 AM (EDT)
The Snowcake articles mention, "make sure you convey what a pig autism is." What does that mean? and I also don't understand the part about not mixing up the shoes, you either get it or don't get it. I don't get it. Can anyone explain it to me?
fir
- Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at 07:17:55 PM (EDT)
Da*&%! Anyway, there be bears around Wawa. Link: bear attack, dog saves man, man saves dog> in Wawa woods. If my link fails again, just google ctv bear attack wawa
Aurora
- Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at 07:07:19 PM (EDT)
Thank you again, Georgiana, and thank you also to Susan, Sue, AFNH, and mwbashful. Pia susanna, you have probably found the solution by now, but do follow Suzanne's instructions: click on the lower right hand corner of the image, and you can make everything bigger.
On a lighter note, Wawa is more dangerous than we thought! I heard I adore him.
He is intelligent, sexy, what more could you want? He is honest, open, true. Rima you are so lucky!!! Or you get what you deserve, either way, you both are awesome. You are all very welcome. Happy to share. Fausta - Long time no see! *waves* Wow, interesting info on Nobel Son. I'm surprised he reckons a fall release. There's absolutely no info on the film save for what was addressed in that article. And it does sound like another weird film of Rickman's, like, Judas Kiss weird. I'm hoping it isn't like that one though and is a better more serious film. It will help with his Oscar chances for Snowcake. Alan Rickman is listed on some sites dedicated to predicting the Oscar noms and winners and such and is listed rather high, some at 13th spot and some at 22nd or so, but the 22nd is the stupid site that still has Marie Antoinette as a front runner for acting and Best Pic - that film is going to be a joke. Anyhoo, he is definitely getting some notice right now, as is Weaver, by early critics, many who haven't even seen the film. I think by the film's release we'll know if it's his time. But I think it is since he has three films coming out in the fall, plus Snape duty. Um, I was curious, you guys said it was a good sign that Melanie Parker forwarded my letter to him. Is there a chance that he'd respond or is that just complete wishful thinking? Has anyone ever written to him and gotten something back? Hi all,
Thank you for your patience.
No, sorry, I can't read the Weaver interview! The letters are far too small, and I don't manage to make them larger.
Sue, the hi-res Snow Cake photos are lovely! Thanks!
Goodness, I HAVE been away a long time! Security everywhere, even here. Not complaining, and as I just saw "Die Hard" for the umpteenth time I feel quite at home having to type a password to post here.
Anyway, just want to ask if there are any updates on the status of "Gissing" and to recommend Truly Madly Deeply to Haley--hi, Haley! Thank you Georgiana for posting the article re Cindy and Craig Corrie. Much appreciated. I have just received the playscript from Amazon UK and am looking forward to reading it. I received two wonderful e-mails yesterday! The first from AFNH (thank you!). She sent scans from a UK magazine for the Edinburgh Festival of a two page interview with Sigourney Weaver about Snowcake, including photos of AR as Alex. I have resized them for two different monitor resolutions, so if your monitor is set at a higher resolution and it's too small to read, please let me know (if your browser automatically resizes images to fit your window, just click the arrow symbol on the bottom, right-hand corner of the photo to enlarge it to its actual size):
Carrie-Anne Moss and Alan Rickman
The second e-mail is from Susan (thank you!), with a link to a short article from Mark Adler, the co-composer of Nobel Son. It includes a small photo of AR, which I believe is the first we've seen from this film (enlarged/brightened version :-) ).
And many thanks to Sue, for the link to the large Snowcake photos on the News Page, and Georgiana, for the Rachel Corrie article!
Welcome, Haley, Gem Lee and Kerry! I apologize for the lack of updates on some of the pages. "Real life" has been a drag by getting in my way, but I am slowly working on it every chance I get. Thank you for your patience.
Wow, nwbashful18, that is so great! I hope you get a response, too.
Georgiana--really enjoyed that article about the Corries on the News page. Thanks for snagging it for us! Hello-
I've really enjoyed my visit here to this site. I was disappointed to find a lot of pages down and things not updated since 2003. Does someone still run the site?
Thanks about three years ago i met a person who adores alan rickman she nearly has everything to do with him she is a truly devoted fan she introuduced be to the world of mr rickman and i thank her for that as mr rickman is a fornomanil actor and needs to be knighted WoW. I have only seen a few of Alan Rickmans movies: Die Hard, Quiggley down under, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, Sense and Sensibility (sigh), Dogma, Galaxy Quest, Blow Dry,and all of the Harry Potters. I had recently rewatched Quiggley down under and realized that he was the same actor in Sense and Sensibility, Blow Dry, and Harry Potter... I wanted to come to this website to see what else he has been in. When I got here, I could not believe how old he is. Born in 1946? that has got to be an error. I thought he was maybe in his early 40s at the oldest. I love his voice. I love him best as Col. Brandon and Severus Snape, but I want to see him as the leading man. I like the dark hair he has in the Harry Potter series... maybe not the cut... but wouldn't he be great as the Tall, Dark, and Sexy leading man in a romantic comedy. Blow Dry was nice but not the traditional boy girl relationship there. Ali-Pat and mwbashful, I agree with Ali-Pat that ET:s book is amusing. It's also pleasant to look at (full of pictures), the script is first-rate, and one learns a little about AR in the diary. (Which ALSO contains some trivia -- ET has porridge for breakfast -- and tragedy -- one of the horses suddenly dies.) And one learns something about Ang Lee and his ideas. -- Among the rather amusing scenes is one where Kate Winslet exclaims: "Oh God, my knickers have gone up my arse.", a very un-ladylike line that one cannot possibly imagine her role character (Marianne)to pronounce. AR then comments: "Ah. Feminine mystique strikes again." -- mwbashful--I hope you get a response to your letter! That Melanie forwarded it to AR is a good sign. I hope that he makes it to Cedar Point one day to ride all those great coasters, but I maintain that the best ride of all is King's Island's Beast.
As for Emma Thompson's S&S diary--have you also looked at your local public or college library? The book is very widely held by libraries. Also, I have found at least one copy every time I visit Half Price Books or other used bookstores. Plus I am pretty sure it is still available through Amazon. ET says an awful lot about AR, and all of it is quite amusing. Keep looking! If you want tickets to My Name Is Rachel Corrie get them now. There are not that many left for opening night according to my connections.
Just don't wait till the last minute.
I just came back from my trip to London, and the mail waiting for me included a response from Alan Rickman's assistant Melanie. It's been almost two months since I sent my fan letter and so she apologized for the long delay and said that unfortunately, because AR is always traveling all over, she is unable to send an autographed photo. However, she read my letter as she referenced it twice and said she forwarded it to him and expects him to very much like it. She also mentioned that he is leaving for NY soon to handle the final arrangements for My Name Is Rachel Corrie. I'm hoping for the off-chance that when he reads it he is thoroughly moved to respond as well. I don't know, is that a possibility? I was incredibly cutesy/funny and tried to appeal to him with many things including sending him my own drawing of Snape done from one of the American HP book chapter pics as well as an advertisement for Cedar Point, the roller coaster capital of the world, as I've read he likes them. I am so thrilled to hear that Snow Cake has an American Distributor! I am really aching to see it and am still hoping it will be seen at the Chicago International Film Festival as well because I will be in Chicago during the festival time. I may even be a volunteer! See, I thought he would be a Coldplay fan. Seems the type. And hey, anyone can watch Rasputin and know he knows how to dance. And a little from Love, Actually too. Yeah, I've searched all over for Emma Thompson's diary/script of Sense and Sensibility because I've wanted to know what she says about him. What's she say about AR? Yes, Suzanne, it's indeed amazing! I've seen it several times, and am determined to see the film. I like stories of this kind -- understated, yet hopeful, about "real" people -- I suppose that means "realistic". The process of surviving a life crisis and emerging stronger. more authentic and more hopeful than one was -- perhaps than one ever was -- is one that interests me very much. It's lovely to see Alex gradually becoming himself again. And the winter imagery is very apt, as symbolizing his initial alienated state. I also approved of the fact that the autistic woman, Linda, isn't depicted as a victim, in spite of all,but as a helper. For Alex seems to have three female helpers, rather as in a myth or folk tale. Quite nice music, too! Pia, that Snow Cake trailer is amazing, isn't it? Thanks again to Steve for telling us about it back in April!
As it happens, I received another e-mail from Steve today with an interesting Q&A (below) from the Ohio Beacon. It looks like Snow Cake has U.S. distribution! He also said he saw the film at Tribeca the night AR and SW attended. He says "it's a gem of a film." :-)
Q: Alan Rickman and Sigourney Weaver starred in a movie titled ``Snowcake'' that I believe was made in Canada and was released earlier this year. Do you know if it will be released in U.S. theaters or at least be made available on DVD? -- Sue O., Montana
A: Once again, we have a movie with a great cast. Weaver portrays a highly functional autistic woman who becomes involved with Rickman's character, the survivor of a car accident in this drama. It's a British film, and Harvey and Bob Weinstein of the Weinstein Co. purchased the American distribution rights, according to Revolution Films. I have no word of a release date yet, but if it's as good as they say -- it won raves at this year's Berlin Film Festival -- look to an end-of-the-year release.
*****
And thank you, Greta, for the Snow Cake festival dates, Stephanie, for the great WENN photos, and Julia, for the Galaxy Quest review!
Has anybody seen the Snow Cake trailer? If so, what did you think?
Best, The new style in up scale decor seems to use a rococo banquet of color patterns. We're still used to stark modernist, with a little art deco here and there as the norm. My apt building was well-lit with modern fixtures and non-evasive neutral colors. Recently they redecrated to the same effect mentioned below, with warm-toned textured wallpaper and a carpet in a victorian wallpaper pattern in a high contrast color scheme. After much outrage my opinion has shifted. The new look is actually inviting. It's just completely opposite of any design style I've lived with before. In engages as opposed to providing an invisible backdrop of space. Not sure if it's suitable for a theater, but if the thought is to differentiate from other theaters, so that a unique and visually engaging experience is part of coming to see a play, then this may be the equivalent of a new theater-as-retro-living-room experiment. That or it's a compromise step short of doing a complete gilded age remodeling job with the moldings and structural work that would probably cost a real fortune, instead of a few million on new drapes. Don't know, haven't seen it, but that look is getting around.
Suzanne, I just saw the posting you did to the "News" page on the Albery being renamed the Noel Coward Theatre. I saw a play at the Albery in May and noticed--but definitely did not care for--the new decor. As you can see in the photos, there are new seats. They are a rose pink. Which is fine. But the rest of the theatre renaimed a sort of Wedgewood blue and *red* with gold--it was the visual version of cacaphony. And the fire curtain was the same. I hope those millions went to more harmonious alterations than what I saw--perhaps only part-way done? Has anyone been since the rechristianing? Hi Georgiana,
On one fansite it's stated that AR prefers classical music (please see "www.myspace.com/sexyalan rickman"). I don't know if this is reliable. He may be "a wicked dancer", as you say; this seems to be confirmed in ET's S&S diaries. I won't bother to look it up, for I have a cat lying in my lap at the moment, but ET says something like "Alan nearly killed me, whirling me across the room." This refers to a party. Mr. Rickman said in a UK TV bit his favorite book was "Swiss Family Robinson," as I recall. All the little music bits that have appeared in newspapers have him supporting contemporary music (including Coldplay) and he was said to be a wicked dancer at the "Dogma" wrap party. For fellow German fans out there, "Snow Cake" will be playing at the Freiburg Filmfest between July 14 and 23. Details here.
And it will also be playing at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on August 15 and 17. Details here.
Stephanie - WOW thanks! Love the longish hair, and the unbuttoned jacket. Check this out! I finally have something to contribute. At W*E*N*N there are 3 nice large photos of Alan Rickman arriving at the Cipriani restaurant in London on July 8th. AR and music: I believe he said once in an interview that he prefers classical music. Also, somebody seems to have seen him looking at stuff by Mahler, in a music shop (in London?). Bits and pieces from rather too much net surfing, pathetically looking for HIM . . . Hmm. I don't have a favorite book, movie or piece of music. I have favorites. Authors whose books have all been read and frequently reread. Movies that I've watched many times, etc. But what I watch/read/listen to depends on the mood I'm in at the time. While I could pick a favorite actor, I couldn't pick a favorite author or composer, let alone a favorite book, piece of music, or movie. Top five of each, maybe, but no single one. AR (supposedly) said once what his favorite song was, but I'll bet he just pulled that out of the air. I'll bet his favorites change as well. Don't yours?
And while buttoning the top button may make the shoulders look better, I get distracted by the paunchy appearance. (And, for the record, I hate those wigs, ala Perfume, and bless Kevin Costner for insisting the Merry Men (and others) wear trousers instead of tights.)
Julia - Must agree on Galaxy Quest - it was a very pleasant surprise!
Has AR ever mentioned what kind of music he likes, apart from Texas? I did hear he is a fan of that, which is interesting to me because if he likes Texas, then I find that bit in LOVE, ACTUALLY when he says "bleh" to Joni Mitchell rather funny, because I'll bet he's given that a listen at some point. He also strikes me as a Coldplay type and perhaps Frou Frou of all artists. Anybody agree? Well, I read from a 2003 interview for LOVE, ACTUALLY where he says he reads the books as they film the movies, but he also said "You can't stop turning the pages, can you?" To me, he was as far as Goblet of Fire when he said that because you honestly can't admit that until then. He'd read the first book already and "campaigned" as it's been put for the role of Snape. So to be that resigned for a role, he must like the first book enough. Paste this link to see:
http://www.handbag.com/gossip/celebrityinterviews/alanrickman/ As for right now, I think he's read them all. That interview is from 2003. Summer of 2003 was when Order was released. I think by the time he hit Goblet, he got hooked. I've heard that he is something of a "closet" HP fan. The type who really likes the books but will switch the dust jacket in public :) . Also, it was said by Robert Pattinson(Cedric Diggory) that while he was on-set once, Mike Newell, the director of Goblet, was telling AR that he needed to play Snape a certain way. Rickman downright refused to do it Newell's way and so some producers were brought over to reason with him. Apparently he kept saying, "Severus would never do that." Robert Pattinson said that Newell made to roll film and was telling Rickman, "Okay, now do it the way we talked about . . ." and when the camera rolled, he DID NOT do it "the way they talked about." Pattinson said he really respected AR for standing up for his character like that and seeming to know so much about his role that he could feel confident to talk like that to the director and producers. Also, there is the matter of Rickman's new choice to not talk about "Severus" as he has put it. He used to talk about the character in the few interviews he would do. But now, someone finally catches him and asks what he thinks about Snape and he says he doesn't talk about it now. I think he finally read Half-Blood Prince and now knows it's time to keep mum on what he knows. Can I just say for the gazillionth time how much I love the GB and Rickmaniacs? We are seriously discussing sartorial convention! (I'm a dress historian, I know how unlikely any kind of serious discussion of men's fashion is!)
In other news, however, MSN calls Galaxy Quest Required Viewing I'm going to take a wild guess that the button deal with men's jackets is an attempt to make the shoulders appear more prominant and the torso longer as it becomes lumped with the lower chest. Longer torso makes the stomach look leaner and less pudge, and thinner sides of chest near armpits make arms and shoulders appear to stick out more. For a man, the object is to seem powerful with broader shoulders. Not saying it always works, especially in extreme cases, but a little man boobage never killed anyone. If the alternate is going without shoulder pads and looking like a giraffe, a professional stylist will probably button that one button without a second thought. Keeps the shoulder pads looking snug and natural. Perhaps it isn't sexy, but it does look comfy and it gives the person a less formal stance in dress clothes. If they're going for "hey, I'm a nice, laid back guy... good old me" then that may be the look.
AR clearly IS interested in poetry, though -- one of his many admirable traits! Or a novel? Or is this because I'm thinking of Hardy?
mwbashful18 - Given how much AR seems to like distancing himself from the parts he plays, and how he has said he only reads the books just before he starts shooting the movie, I doubt very much that his book would be HBP. :) I see him more with a book of poetry, myself.
As for JKR boxing herself in on a couple of issues, frankly, I don't see how she could have avoided it. The series is massive and so rich in detail, I'm very surprised we haven't seen more inconsistency than the few details we have. I can believe that her notes cover more pages than the books.
Vera - I've heard that the only men who button all three buttons are lawyers and undertakers. But just the top? *shudders* Men clearly aren't as worried about looking "chubby" as women are, because, to me, it give the appearance that the jacket is not big enough to cover the belly. Even slender Jake Gyllenhaal looked thick around the middle with his jacket like that.
There are rules on how to button a jacket, and the traditional rule is to close the middle one if your jacket has three buttons. You might close the top one as well. Closing only the top one of three buttons seems to be a rather recent (and horrible) fashion. I've yet to see a man who looks good with it. Thanks for the correction mwbashful18, I didn't think there had been such a huge gap between the first book along with the last chapter being written and the books being released. Just shows I am not a huge HP fan I guess... LOL.
Martha and Julia, as far as I know the jacket thing is sort of a matter of etiquette/convention. It has been around in male fashions for an awfully long time, at least in Europe. Certainly going back into the 18th & 19th century, most likely even further back, sorry I'm not a historian but that is the reason I have been given for it. Rowling didn't have the first HP published until 1997 in the UK. It came out in the US in 1998 while CoS was released in 1998 in the UK. The following year, 1999, both CoS and PoA were released in the US a few months apart, and then GoF in 2000 started the trend of midnight release parties and releases to several countries at the same time. She has finally admitted to "boxing herself in" at points in the previous books, so one wonders what she may have screwed up with.
Who is going to buy one of those Alan Rickman READ posters along with me? They'll be $15 online. Any bets on his favorite book? I'll laugh if he picks HBP! The celeb is supposed to bring their favorite so I'm going to go with either Half-Blood Prince or something pro-human rights - he strikes me as the John La Carre "The Constant Gardener" type, or perhaps "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Heck, maybe he's a big fan of "Wicked." Shall be interesting to learn what is perhaps his favorite book.
I always use the "favorite book, favorite movie, favorite TV, favorite music" trick on people because it says a lot about their personality. You tell me who someone is if they prefer Eminem for music, "American Pie" for movies, "Real World" for TV, and they don't have a favorite book because they're not readers - says a lot doesn't it? Julia - Well, someone did suggest it once. I don't care who started it, I just wish they'd all stop!
On a six degrees of AR note, I just saw the new Pirates of the Caribbean, with Keira Nightley and Bill Nighy (both of LA). BN was unrecognizable under his make-up as the yucky-looking Davy Jones. It was delightful fun, with lots of action and laughs.
Martha: So what you're saying is, Our Man influenced this fashion trend? LOL! ;-) A small side note on the every popular theme of *fashion.* I was watching a rerun of the Oprah show yesterday with the cast of "Brokeback Mountain." When Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger walked on, amid much fangurl squeeeeing, they both wore three button jackets/blazers - with only the top button done up. Sorry folks, but fashion trend or no, it just plain looks dorky. (to me) Alan will be on Read Poster in August. Sorry if this is a repeat; it was posted at the Leaky Cauldron. Read to the end of the article to see how to obtain poster.
Juliana
Posters help youth to read
By Libbie Messina
Parents often come to me exasperated over trying to help their children select reading material. Even after several suggestions, I too, am often unable to find a book that lights up the eyes of the young reader. After showing the young reader title after title, our suggestions just don't make the cut.
Why not? Studies have shown, and continue to confirm, that the media stars children see on television and in the movies influence them more than family members (and perhaps their librarian). As a result, the American Library Association (ALA) began a bold new READ poster campaign to reach reluctant readers.
In 1985, the ALA produced its first READ poster. It depicted Bill Cosby with his favorite book, "Treasure Island." That initial poster led the way to reading endorsements by hundreds of movie stars, singers, sports heroes and even the Muppets. Today, celebrities continue to donate their time and the use of their photograph. They also select the book they hold in their pictures.
In library circles, getting your picture on a READ poster is comparable to making the cover of Time or Newsweek. Librarians anxiously wait to see who will be added to the collection next. This summer's catalog included Indy Car driver, Dancia Patrick as the newest addition to the celebrity list. Dancia chose to be photographed with James Patterson's book, "Sam's Letters to Jennifer." Posters of Alan Rickman, Ben Roethlisberger and the New York Rangers will appear in August.
I admit that I don't always recognize the person on the poster. Thanks to the READ campaign, I discovered Ani DiFranco, a feminist folksinger and songwriter/performer who grew up in Buffalo. She started her own record company (Righteous Babe) at 19 and has been on the cover of SPIN and Ms. Ani is pictured with the biography of one of her heroes, Woody Guthrie. Another celebrity with whom I was unfamiliar is Jamie Kennedy from the "Scream" movies. Although I am not an avid fan of his movies, I agree with his choice of a fun book. On his brightly colored READ poster, Jami touts "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak.
Two very different celebrities chose another of my favorite books. Both Enrique Iglesisa and Bill Gates selected Ernest Hemingway's "The Old Man and The Sea." Who would have guessed those two men would have had that book in common?
The latest trend in READ posters is to make your own. The ALA has developed a CD that contains several pre-designed backgrounds so that users can create their own promotional materials. Communities have used local police officers, firefighters, politicians, teachers and students to encourage reading and community involvement. The posters with familiar faces then appear in local schools, government offices and businesses.
The Finger Lakes Library System has recently purchased a CD and will be making it available to member libraries.
READ posters aren't just for libraries and librarians. Anyone can obtain a READ poster for his or her home. You can request a catalog by calling the ALA's toll free number (866) SHOP-ALA.
Libbie Messina is a librarian at Stewart Lang Memorial Library in Cato
IDMT, JK Rowling has always said that she wrote the final chapter of the seventh book to give herself a goal to aim for. It was so she knew the series had an end and it was something for her to work towards. She wrote it in 1990, back then the books were not famous and didn't have a huge number of fans. In fact I don't think the first one was even published till 1991. She has also said in a TV interview the other week (as well as when HBP was released) that she needs to rewrite the final chapter because the story has changed to some extent. Now that's interesting. Was she keeping the manuscript in a vault so the books could be finished without her, or as a means of keeping the ending of the series unspoiled should a theft occur? Perhaps there were agrements that had to be made on how the series would end in order for the investments to be made on the franchise. (They've spent millions by now.) That wouldn't require a vault. The original comment about the hidden nature of the last manuscript was probably more of a plea to get people to stop ripping up her back yard trash bags.
I think that may be a mistake in a news story transcript somewhere Pia. She has always said that the last chapter of the last book was in a vault at a bank. But she definitely hasn't finished book 7 as she was talking about writing it only last week on TV here in the UK, and she stated then that she hadn't finished it. :-) Sheena, thanks for your response. I seem to remember having read something about the MS of HP 7 being kept in a safe at Bloomsbury (the publisher). But perhaps that referred to the last chapter only.
Aurora - I agree with you - when I said "ignorance" I meant that he probably hadn't actually seen the movie. ABBA a comedy. Isn't that f*cked up? It even says that on the VHS jacket. *shakes head* Hi Pia, JK Rowling hasn't written the 7th book, she is in the process of writing it. She has however, had the final chapter written since before the first book was published. She said it was so that she had a goal to aim for. In an interview just after the HBP was published, and another one last week, JKR stated now needs to rewrite that chapter as things have changed in the course of the books. According to Bloomsbury publishing the 7th book will be released in 2007. Kit, you're probably quite right about MNRC. As for Rowling, hasn't she already written HP 7? Re: the Dangerous Liaisons book: Be warned that although the photos are lush, the way they are spread in the book over two pages means that the most important detail is always located right in the crease. The book, as well as the museum exhibit from which it is descended, both suffered from an acute lack of common sense. *smack* Godley, of course! That's what I meant, it just came out wrong. :-) Thanks for the correction, kit. Error fixed.
Marsha, thank you for the StLM review! That's one I haven't watched in awhile. I think I'll pop it into the DVD player today.
That book sounds really interesting, Ali-Pat. Thanks for the link!
Suzanne, I think that other person in the AR-LD picture is Adam Godley, not Godfrey. He was also in Private Lives. Don't count on AR being at any MNIRC other than the opening and closing. Directors don't usually dome to every performance. They are done directing when the show opens. whatever JK Rowling puts in the next book, she needs to HURRY up! I dunno, martha. It's surely poor word choice and doesn't tell the story well. As Mark Twain said, the right word makes the difference between the lightning and the lightning bug. I'd cut 'em some slack and call it sloppy summary. (Summarizing is really hard.) To quote Twain again: "To get the right word in the right place is a rare achievement. To condense the diffused light of a page of thought into the luminous flash of a single sentence, is worthy to rank as a prize composition just by itself." Maybe the writer didn't see the film. Wouldn't be the first time for that. How about those summaries that call AABA a comedy? Marsha - thanks for the review. I think I hear either bias, or ignorance, in the words incident from the 1940s though. That hardly seems the way to describe a lifetime's relationship and work. Here's a new review from The Star Online of "Something the Lord Made" with a photo.
Mos Def is far from heaven
AS IF Mos Def hasn't made enough waves by portraying a poor black kid who makes a washed-up white cop come around to the injustices being perpetrated by his colleagues in the now-in-cinemas 16 Blocks, the chap is now set to do the same - er, similar - on HBO Asia next week.
The cable channel's July 4 Original Movie offering Something the Lord Made (11pm, ASTRO Channel 40) will partner him with another chap famous for playing a lawman - although his was even shadier yet - in another story involving gross inequality. We're talking none other than Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' very own Sheriff of Nottingham, Alan Rickman.
In the movie, a wealthy white doctor and a poor black lab assistant form an unlikely partnership that defies racial boundaries and blazes bold trails in cardiac surgery.
Based on a true incident from the 1940s, Something tells of wealthy surgeon Blalock (Rickman) who hires Vivien Thomas (Mos Def) as a lab assistant. The latter's work proves invaluable to the doctor's practice, and he soon becomes more than a mere helper.
Their new surgical process saves thousands of lives on the frontlines of World War II, and they also discover the procedure to perform open-heart surgery on "blue" babies.
Yet for all the accolades and wealth that this discovery brings, it is Blalock who receives it all while Thomas slogs on unrecognised and underpaid - even though he is frequently the real brains behind the operation.
This emotionally-charged presentation won three Emmys in 2004 for Outstanding made-for-TV Movie, Outstanding Cinematography and Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing.
It is directed by Joseph Sargent from a script by Peter Siilverman and Robert Caswell. Check it out for what has been described as a tearjerking but emotionally uplifting portrayal of dedication and passion in the face of crushing injustice.
[Published: 30-Jun-2006]
Article and photo
Suzanne, thank you for creating that MNiRC Meet-up list! I look forward to meeting and greeting folks on the 12th.
For all you book lovers and fans of LLD, I found this book about a display that combined the Metropolitan Museum of Art's 18th century costume collection with its period rooms: Oh! Ali-Pat, I forgot to say that I also thought your idea of having a MNiRC list was fantastic. So I have created the list (and posted a link at the top of the GB). So get the word out, everyone, and please e-mail me so that I can add you to the list. I know for me, one of the best parts of going to see Private Lives was getting together with other fans. :-)
Welcome, mwbashful18! Hopefully someone here will be able to supply you with the answers you are seeking.
Hi, I'm a bit new here but I am desperate for some news that could make me really happy. Let me explain why: I am going to London from the US for a graduation trip and we are hoping to catch filming of the new Harry Potter movie. What I am curious about is whether anyone has news on when exactly the filming hiatus ends. Everyone is said to return in July, but what week of July? If anyone has heard, please share! I'm desperate!
Also, because I am in London, I will be attending the film premiere of Superman Returns. What I am most excited about is the potential for other famous people, such as Alan Rickman, to attend. I remember from his commentary track for Die Hard that he said he used to read comic books as a boy. Does anyone know if he is/was a Superman fan? And if so, what are the chances he'd go to the premiere?
Thanks much!!! Google Alert: From today's What's on Stage:
- by Terri Paddock
30th June 2006 - First Night Photos
Lord Richard Attenborough and Dame Judi Dench led a renaming ceremony at the West End's freshly minted Noël Coward Theatre this afternoon (See News, 23 May 2005). Following a multi-million pound refurbishment, the 870-seat theatre on St Martin's Lane, formerly the Albery, has been rechristened in honour of the late British playwright, actor, musician and wit.
Today's champagne event, hosted by theatre owner and impresario Cameron Mackintosh, was attended by many other theatrical dignitaries including Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan (who famously appeared in a multi award-winning revival of Coward's Private Lives at the then Albery in 2001), June Whitfield, Donald Sinden, Belinda Lang, Adam Godley, Simon Callow, Janie Dee, Sheridan Morley, Ned Sherrin, Patricia Hodge, Twiggy and, currently appearing with Dench in Sir Peter Hall's revival of Coward's Hay Fever at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, Peter Bowles, Dan Stevens and Kim Medcalf as well as other producers, directors and industry figures.
Click the above link to read the rest of the article below the photos. But here are the larger versions of the two AR photos:
Alan Rickman
******
Sorry, Pia, I haven't heard anything.
Thanks, Renie, for JK Rowling's comments. That woman can be very cryptic sometimes!
Lee, thank you for telling us about Dustin Hoffman being on The Actor's Studio. I missed it, but I'm looking out for a repeat. :-)
Hi,
Ali-Pat, lovely idea for MNiRC. I have plans to go on the 13th, however. (Plan to stay the weekend, though. I haven't been to NYC in a while.) I'm really looking forward to it, though I doubt whatisname will be there. I can't figure out when the official premiere date is; when you read a bunch of the news articles on line,they have different dates. Anyhoo, it's on and we can see it Stateside. JK Rowling has made some comments about the seventh book, but they were SO spoilerish I've only posted them on the HPB page. Nuff said. Hi all!
Did anyone watch Inside The Actor's Studio last night on Bravo? They had Dustin Hoffman on (very nice man, very funny and intelligent). He mentioned one of his new movies.....Perfume!! He said it was a very exciting film to do. It sounds like a great story too. Just wish they would have shown a clip with Alan in it!! AR does a couple of little bits in the voice-over of this film. I think you can find them on Claudia's http://britbitsandclips.com/ Hi, Ladies!... and gentlemen?!^^
*I hope you'll (under)stand my english* Can anybody help me with this Movie, please!?! I came across the link by seeking Alan-news and didn't know what it is about, or better... What has it to do with Mr. Rickman?!
Maybe I was blind and IMDB listed it, too, but I bet I'd kept the title in mind - what doesn't mean anything to me! Alan is listed there.. A mistake?
Would be thankfull for information,
Ravanna Thank you, Georgiana and Sue, for the MNiRC News! MNiRC in New York at last!
Here's another article from Playbill.com:
by Robert Simonson
Controversy finally has a New York address.
Ever since New York Theatre Workshop and the Royal Court Theatre got into a trans-Atlantic war of words last spring over the former's decision to not present the latter's hit production of the political solo play My Name Is Rachel Corrie, theatre watchers have been waiting and watching to see which Gotham company or producer would pounce on the headline-grabbing title. This week the answer came. And the champions of free speech, or gluttons for punishment (take your pick) are: Dena Hammerstein and Pam Pariseau for James Hammerstein Productions. They will present the work at Off-Broadway's Minetta Lane Theatre Oct. 15 for a limited engagement of (count 'em) 48 performances. Actor Alan Rickman, who is one of the authors of the piece, will direct.
The London solo drama is about the death of the titular American protestor, who was killed in the Gaza Strip in 2003 by an Israeli bulldozer. The tragic occurrence has drawn wrath from both sides of the politically fueled fence - some saying the death was accidental and others contending it was not. The text is concocted using her journals and emails.
And thank you, Laura, for the video clip links, Tracy for the link, and Susan for the ROTN Info. I've never seen a new set of tapes that low before.
Glad I could help, Kit. And ACC, I trust the question wasn't too difficult for you. ;-)
Have a good time at the Edinburgh Festival, Teaqueen! And let us know how you liked MNiRC and if you see AR. :-) And Ali-Pat, how I would love to meet you in New York on Oct. 12th! But I don't think I'll make it to New York this time. :-( So I'm still crossing my fingers that it'll go on tour and come to Texas.
Welcome, Amy, Anne, Tina and Pia! Pia, you could be right about AR liking snow/winter, though I don't remember him saying anything specific about it in interviews.
Correction, MNIRC previews on the Thursday. I read the info in the schedule info on this website and it gave me the info I needed. Odd that the theatre couldn't give me a straight answer though. MNIRC premiers on a Thursday. I called the Minetta Theatre to find out if Mr Rickman is going to be in NY directing Rachael Corrie, they couldn't give me a direct answer. Does anyone know? Pam, Last year you had asked me to let you know if I learned of another personal appearance by Jason Isaacs in RI, and I did late last night, but had problems when I tried to log in earlier, so I apologize if this info gets to you too late. Tomorrow, on Sunday, June 25th, Cox Charities will be conducting a bike race in Providence, RI. Because the new Showtime series, The Brotherhood (which Isaacs co-stars in) will be airing soon, they've arranged for the stars of the show, Isaacs, Fionnula Flanagan, Jason Clarke and Annabeth Gish will be making an appearance on the strip of lawn, across from the Providence Place Mall, just a bit over from the pub, Ri Ra. I don't have any other particulars than that (sorry, but couldn't find more info online, the appearance is supposed to be a suprise addition to the lineup.) http://www.funtigo.com/alanrickmangallery?g=2871357&cr=1&rfm=y
Red Panda Alan I just ordered MNiRC for October 12--anybody else planning to go that evening? Maybe we could get a list going like during the NYC run of Private Lives. BTW I find the announcement about the opening date confusing. Since when do plays premiere on a Sunday? fir--a Dark Mark? A pair of scissors with a lightning bolt through it? Clouds? Tina, last month my husband tripped over a bag of potting soil in the driveway and landed head first on the cement. After getting stiches in the ER and having them removed, he has the PERFECT Harry Potter lightening bolt scar on his forhead. I think it's the coolest thing and find myself staring at his forhead all the time now. Hi,
After having been a lurker for long, I'd like to ask you all something that may not have been discussed before. Am I crazy, or is AR particularly fond of winter/snow imagery?? There seems to be a lot of it in some of his films -- can it all be due to chance? (Not that I have seen them all.)SC, TWG and (perhaps) LA are good examples. And isn't there a cut scene where Snape is running in the snow?? Consider also some film/play titles (TWG, JM, TEW), and the use of "Let it Snow" -- twice, I believe, that is, in two different films. I also found it interesting that AR praised Ang Lee's ICE STORM, said to include "a lot of frost".
I'm a poet myself, and always interested in imagery, verbal or not. Hi guys! So glad to find the site. I've been in love with Alan Rickman for as long as I can remember. I'm a 28 year old tattoo artist from Arkansas (AR), lol. I'm planning to get a portrait tattoo of Professor Snape on my thigh. He is sooo hot. Does anyone else have any Harry Potter-related tattoos? Alan Rickman and Sigourney Weaver won 1st Runner Up for Best Actor and Actress at the Seattle Film Festival. See the winners HERE. Amazon.USA is selling new copies of AR reading The Return of the Native for $28.32; their usual price is $44.95. Suzanne, I capiltalized AND turned off the block. Yippee! Thanks for your help. My deathless prose is a plea for someone to trade GOF trading cards with. I have 10 missing and no one sells the cards anymore. BTW, I liked January Man pretty well. His part was small but amusing. I do get bored with big sex scenes (I have a sex life) and MEM was way too old to play a 22 year old. She's still pretty and the rest of the cast was impressive. Like others, i am a "rickman maniac" so i won't bore you with gushy stuff. does anyone know where i can get his autograph? it would be a great present. well tell me asap (email me please!!!!) and to Laura, wow you wake up early or stay up really late!!!! i can never stay up that lateb/c i have summer school in the morning!!! Jan at Claudia's found a cool video clip from the Tribeca Film Festival (scroll down and click on "take 5") and INTJ made a download ver. with just Alan's bits!
Hay!!!! I am a big Alan Rickman, mostly from reading the HP books which i love!!! I think he totally hot.... who doesn't!!! But, anyway yeah i just love alan rickman and harry potter!!!! yay I have booked my tickets to see My name is Rachel Corrie.
Will Alan be directing it throughout the festival? Will he be there every night?
I may just go and have a drink most nights in the Pleasence in case he is hanging about. I don't have anything to say, just wanted to see if I would get the answer to the question-not selling any sildenafil either LOL Hi guys,
In the meantime, I'm going to try out a "Question & Answer" script. And hopefully the spambots can't read or are too dumb to know the answer. You guys should know the answer, however, it is case sensitive, so remember to capitalize. :-) So go ahead and try it out and if you have any problems whatsoever, please e-mail me to let me know.
Thank you so much, Donna, for the MNiRC and SC links! And Elaine for the heads-up. Funny story, BTW. :-)
Sorry, Snape's Witch, I haven't heard anything about VG lately.
just wondering if posting works now MNiRC is scheduled to be at Ireland's GALWAY Art's Festival from July 24th to 30th. Click on the link for more information and to buy tickets.
And I found this positive but short "Snow Cake" review from the Seattle Film Festival on June 7th.
SNOW CAKE (Canada/United Kingdom): An under layer of grief and melancholy is offset by eccentricity and an intrinsic belief in the human need to connect despite the propensity to make mistakes in Welsh director Marc Evans' offbeat movie. A middle-age man, Alex Hughes, gives a lift to a spirited young stranger named Vivienne (channeling Ally Sheedy in "The Breakfast Club"), who is on her way home to see her mother. An accident ensues in the winter ice and it revives issues for Alex and unites him with a small town that is, as one woman states, "a judgmental town this, the emphasis being on mental." Three very intelligent actors -- Alan Rickman, Carrie-Anne Moss and Sigourney Weaver as the girl's autistic, obsessive-compulsive mother -- elevate what could have been mawkishness into something better than the script's idiosyncrasies. (P.N.) Grade: B IMRC- Just spent a fruitless hour hanging on the phone(one handedly washing up, doing laundry, scolding children.... what an exciting life I lead)trying to book tickets for MNIRC at the Fringe, while the automated voice told me I was being held in a queue and would be answerered shortly .... only to realise no tickets go on sale until 12th June. Thought I'd let you know in case anyone else is similarly wasting their time. I too have been contemplating which show to plump for ... I'll try the preview first I think. I'm going with non AR friends who feel a certain responsibility to accompany me on my journey of obsession! Recently my 3 sons overheard me exclaiming to friends, "Oh, I LOVE Alan Rickman!" to which the youngest said aghast, "but I thought you loved daddy" and then when I explained that AR is an actor in their beloved HP, they were ALL aghast that I could love Snape. Has it been verified that Alan is NOT appearing in 'The Villa Golitsyn'? Spam deleted. OT: You're probably right, RedTango. My usual tricks aren't working! I already did some research on the "security code" post method awhile back, but I'm afraid it was way to complicated for me. *sigh* However, that site posted below by... looks a lot simpler (thank you!). I will look into that ASAP. In the meantime, I'm going to put the GB on "delay" mode. Which means, if you're a real person, your post will appear on the GB after a delay (anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, I'm not sure!), but rest assured, it will appear, so don't worry if it's not here right away. I know it's an inconvenience and annoying, but the spam is even more annoying, so please bare with me.
That's wonderful news, Julia, thank you! Teaqueen, whichever show or shows you decide to go to, I hope you will share your review and any AR sighting. :-)
Iris, I didn't like January Man very much, but I liked Ed. :-) Some of his lines were hilarious! And no, I haven't heard anything lately about Nobel Son.
Kate, if I remember right, AR's character in Perfume doesn't appear until about the last quarter of the book. But whether the film version is different, I'm not sure.
Welcome, Patti!
Did anyone see Snow Cake in Seattle yesterday? Suzanne, if it gets to be too much fighting these spammers, here is a free script which provides the image-based code generation to require all form posts to be human-submitted.
It's PHP-based, but if you have worked with perl, the switch over to PHP isn't too far a leap.
http://www.chime.tv/products/botblock.shtml At last. Now I have to decide which show to go to. Should I go to the preview? Should I go the the last night? Should I go to both? Which one will Alan be at? And from the Fringe wesite: MNiRC dates From today's BBC entertainment website: MNiRC at Edinburgh Fringe Just a suggestion, but this website might be running on an old program that makes it really easy for these stupid spam programs to get in here and leave these repetitive messages. When was the script for this guestbook written? Newer programs require a random code to be typed in *by a real person leaving and entry* and makes them less suseptible to garbage "spam robot" postings. Maybe a time for an overhaul! :) I watched the "Perfume" trailer and was completely creeped out by it! I can't wait to see the complete movie. I haven't read the book, but will before I see the movie (some people perfer not to, but I actually enjoy movies more when I do read the book). As always I especially enjoyed the part with AR, but figure he doesn't have as much screen time as I would like. I enjoy reading all your posts and love this website -- keep it up!
BIG SPOILERS on Perfume IDMT, you've said the word I have always thought is the key to Perfume: unhumannes. Grenouille is born lacking something that makes the rest of us human. We have it but are unconscious of it; he is agonizingly conscious of it every moment he's alive but can't get it. For a time, he suffers from his difference. He wants to be normal. His quest to manufacture a scent comes at first from a desire to be human, to be like everybody else. But he comes to hold humanity in contempt. It's so easy for him to perceive and wield the power to which we unconsciously respond. Through his creation and manipulation of scent, he can make any of us do whatever he wants. The virgin's scent is the one thing that makes him experience happiness and purity. However, biologically lacking humanness and socially having missed out on learning morality and regard for others, he doesn't care that capturing and bottling the scent means killing the virgins who exude it. They don't matter to him as people, but only as carriers of the essence he wants. I read the book as being about questions like, "What is it that makes us human?" "Are we the least bit aware of what that is?" "What would it be like to be a monster who lacks it?" I think it's significant, too, that the perfect human scent is carried by young virgin girls just entering adolescence. If Grenouille wants to capture it, he has to strike before the girl matures. We have the perfect human essence in us for just a short time. (And sorry guys, you never have it at all.) Kate - Agreed, the premise behind Perfume does seem kind of silly. The real motivating interest for most people probably isn't going to be the scientific phenomenon and they should probably stop selling it as the tag line of the movie. The real quality of the story would likely be the obsession it causes in a social outcast. The pull would have to be that a man is born to a poor family with a very aristocratic talent. That talent pushes him out onto the fringe of his familiar setting and into a sort of fantastic and tragic megalomania and need to connect with the people who live in the kind of world his talent fits into... You feel attracted to him being an underdog and and outcast from both sides while at the same time repulsed at his inhumanness. If it's done right it may be a really good film. It's got a lot of room to be, anyway... so keep your fingers crossed. Good stories are worth that.
Spam deleted. well its a relief there are such good deals....lol So maybe his drawing of a giraffe in TCM's Painting With Light might not have been such a coincidence after all. AR's giraffe Don't know about AR's favourite animal, but he did say at the Masterclass years ago that when he was in RADA, they had to choose an animal to impersonate, as it were, for acting excersises, and he chose a giraffe. ... But regretted it as it meant walking around with a slightly bent lower back all the time, and really wished he had chosen a sloth, instead! Iris - I think you will find that January Man is one of those movies that sounded right at the time, but never really came together. The writer, John Patrick Shanley, had just won an Oscar for Moonstruck. Kline & Sarandon were peaking fame-wise and there was a strong supporting cast. I love Ed, but the rest of the movie just never gets off the ground. It happens in Hollyweird all the time. Robert Jr got second place last week? Bleh. Fans of House/Bertie Wooster/Mr. Palmer in Sense and Sensibility--Hugh Laurie is in front, but not by much, in the Hello! monthly poll--http://www.hellomagazine.com/vote/mostattractiveman/month/index.html Just wondering if there's any new news about Nobel Son. I just visited the imdb site, but that's not really updated. Is it ever going to be in the regular movietheaters?
And I've seen The January Man the other day.... it's a weird movie. It made me realise that I much more prefer small and intimate movies (TMD, AABA), where you can get to know the caracters and see them develop. And with more 'one on one' acting so you really see the actors act (the interaction between the actors and facial and body expressions... etc), and I'm not saying this because I want to see more of AR or something like that! I just want to know and see how an actor acts, and you can't see that in January Man or Judass Kiss. The other problem, for me, with January Man is that it's got an 'All Star'-cast..... but when I saw the roles that they have been giving, I wondered what those famous people where doing there... I mean, all those parts where so small and not really complex, they could have been easily played by new or not so famous actors. I just think it was a waste of time for the famous actors to have played such 'useless' parts.... Luckily there are some police/crime films where it's not so much about getting the bad guy, and where you do get to know the caracters and where the actors really have a chance to act (KC's - A perfect world for example). Is watching all those AR movies and being busy with the theatergroup of my student-society ruining my brain or something and am I beginning to get a bit to critical....? Rebecca - What a lovely line to cherish! When the movie is on DVD, you'll have to copy the line and make it into one of your computer "noises." (I don't know how, but I know there are those here who do.) Think of hearing that line each time you turn your computer on or off - or both! My feelings about JM might be mixed, but there was no doubt about that... nose he had in Libertine. It was awful! That was a very disappointing movie. I have mixed feelings about John Malkovich About the Perfume Trailer, thank you for posting it BTW. It looks to be a intresting project and quite promising. I can't help but to be the resident cynic. This is how it is described:Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, born with no smell, develops a superior olfactory sense, which he uses to create the world's finest perfumes. His work, however, takes a dark turn as he searches for the ultimate scent.
Perhaps as a novel it was popular but I can't help to feel the concept is sort of silly. Much like Libertine turned out to be. I had mixed feeling about it (and John Malkovich's nose peice).
Anyhow, does anyone know the scope of AR's role in this film? Just curious. Thank you. Rebecca, thank you for your Snow Cake review! I'm so glad you were able to attend. Ah, to hear AR say your name. And in such a context. *grin*
Was anyone else there? Looking forward to more reviews, including yours, Georgiana, when you see it on the 7th. :-)
Thanks, Corinna, for the Perfume trailer link! Is it just me or does the trailer stop before the ending for everyone?
Aurora, thanks for the Edinburgh news. And Meeressternchen, for the update. Please let us know for sure after you check your notes. And we'd we'd love to hear your MNiRC report as well!
Welcome, Rachel and... Rachel! No, I have no idea what his favorite animal is, sorry. And hello, Purple Rose, and welcome! Hopefully we will have two of AR's films to see before the end of the year.
The official "Perfume" website has now the English version of the trailer! It is good to hear Alan's real voice. http://www.parfum.film.de/ I was at the first SIFF showing of Snow Cake in Bellevue, Wash., on June 1. I agree with many, not all, of our New York friend's comments earlier. A fledgling director and first-time screenwriter resulted in the (talented) actors seeming to guide themselves through the film. Sigourney, well schooled (I guess?) in the idiosyncracies of autism by the likes of Temple Grandin, among others, struck me as a videotaped case study, whereas AR seemed to follow a more pronounced narrative line. (Agree that towards the end it could have used more pronouncing!) He's quite good, low-key, very very funny (lots of humorous reaction shots) and, ladies, if you like closeups, you'll get 'em here. The muted eroticism of the love scenes worked for me personally, as an example of someone trying to date again after a long hiatus. (Perhaps AR was remembering his S&S comments about Brandon de-thawing after a long freeze.) Agree that the film is far too long, descends into mawkishness towards the end, and doesn't adequately resolve certain narrative lines. On the whole, what I personally valued was a story about the rewards to be reaped when one acts out of the rightness of intent. (I also HAD to value AR's character's line about his amatory past: "We had a fling in Winnipeg. Her name was Rebecca.") Thanks for the update on the Edinburgh Fringe, Meeresternchen. According to http://www.edfringe.com/ the festival dates are 8-26 Aug. The program will be available June 8. The Scotsman was perhaps expressing wishful thinking. Just wanted to say Hello. I was looking for an Alan Rickman Fan Page site and it has taken me here. I really enjoy A.R.'s acting and the way he plays his characters in movies.
I think he's extremely talented and am looking forward to more of his movies. IDMT,
Sorry about the delayed response. I'm glad you saw my post.
I'm actually not an animator, I am a storyboard artist and graphic designer. I leave the animation to much more patient folks! :)
Yes I saw the Corpse Bride and although I have a weak spot for Tim Burton's dark, gothic style I do not think it was a very strong film at all.
Anyway, enough said...back to Alan. :)
RedTango
.. that would be nice...I feel like we don't see much of him these days. Hiya everyone, been lurking and absent for a while...
I believe AR said lately they're not going to Edinburgh (that was on the Q&A with RC's parents, he unexpectedly truned up...I will check my notes again on that when I'll be typing the report), but they will def. do the filming of MNiRC (they planning it at least) and he hopes still very much for going in Oct/Nov to NYC.
BTW, when exactly is the Edinburgh Festival this summer? I planned to go nontheless. :) I always enjoy a lively debate about all film, especally AR films. Awesome. The Myspace entry is amusing. Those poor naive fans to think that's really AR! If I were a parent my child won't be allowed anywhere near that site or any like it. Spoilsport! Alan Rickman is a truly gifted and wonderful man.
A quick question: Does anybody know what Mr. Rickman's favourite animal is?
Thank you fellow fans. I've seen the same thing posted, Aurora (but neglected to put it on the "News" page--sorry). In case anybody didn't see this in google news, The Scotsman reports that AR "is expected to be" directing MNiRC at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer. Not exactly a for sure confirmation
Relevant quote: Mel Smith is said to be playing Winston Churchill at the Assembly Rooms, while Alan Rickman is expected to be directing his play My Name Is Rachel Corrie, about the late pro-Palestinian activist, which was a huge hit in London.
Lucky you, Cristina! You saw MNiRC and got an autograph, too. thanks Suzanne for removing those ads. Sorry if i sounded angry, but it was just a suprise to see so many of them, i thought they'd never end.
hope all is having a great weekend.
Lynn Hello Girls, Spam deleted. Sorry guys, I wasn't home yesterday. And thanks, below poster. Yup, the name change/meta tag methods are used often, but it looks like I need to do it again. The ads below are an automated script. This URL got on the list because of the high ranking in seach engines. The ads are probably placed out of stupidity by someone far away clicking a button. They likely don't even visit the site.
Thanks for the article on "Sunday in the Park with George," Renie, and for the photo link, Lisa via Suzanne. To think, I just sat at Wyndham's watching Diana Rigg in "Honor" a week or two ago. Are you kidding, i came to this site to read about the fabulous Alan Rickman, and what do i see.
I can't believe all the crap tonight, wow, don't these people have anything better to do. Grow up and get lost.
we here, who are true fans of this actor don't want to see this.
nice sight Thanks so much Suzanne. I won't have a chance to try out your suggestions for converting my dvd player for a while, but they look really comprehensive .... so sure to work! Cheers,Elaine. By the by, who or what on earth got into this guest page?!
hello
Thanks, Renie! And Lisa sent me an e-mail (thank you!) with a link to three photos of AR at the SitPwG preview, from Photo Link. Elaine
You can make your dvd-player multiregion in a very simple way. Just search on google (or any other search engine) with the words "code" and "multiregional" and the type/brand/number of your dvd-player. For example "multiregional code cyberhome dvd 1600". If it works you find a code that you can enter in your dvd-players 'setup menu' with your remote control. I have a region 2 dvd-player, made it multiregional and now I can play region 1 Dark Harbor and Mesmer, so don't hesitate to order Mesmer! If you can't find a code, send me an email and I see if I can help you.
Suzanne My dvd-player broke down a few days ago and now I had to bring it back for repairs... so I still haven't had the change to see January Man. I really miss my dvd-player cz I was watching an AR movie (or some scenes) every night before I went to sleep.... But now I've discovered the spicy fanfiction about AR's caracters and that's also a nice way to relax..... ;-p Oh, and I want to thank all AR fans who have put AR stuff on YouTube, but how can I save those videos on my computer? well, I'm of to bed now with my new "bedtime stories"... ;-p, goodnight! From www.whatsonstage.com May 24 2006
"Sunday in the Park with George" transferred to the West End's Wyndham's Theatre where star Daniel Evans was joined by new leading lady Jenna Russell - and both were watched by a heavily star-studded first night audience. Amongst those attending the performance at Wyndham's were David Hare, Nicole Farhi, Patrick Stewart, Lisa Dillon, Mel Smith, Les Dennis, Patrick Marber, Alan Rickman, Brian Cox, Cameron Mackintosh, Simon Russell Beale, Lindsay Posner, Anthony Page, Claudia Shear and Nicholas Le Prevos.
Link fixed. Thanks, Elaine, for the link and Georgiana for the news! For some reason, the page isn't loading for me right now, but I'll try again later. And I have to admit, I don't remember seeing Mesmer in Region 2, but that doesn't mean there isn't one. Do any of our UK friends know?
Thank you, Kate, for your review. I was sorry to hear that Snow Cake was not as good as you hoped. But I'm so glad you got a chance to see it.
Iris, wasn't the Barchester Chronicles wonderful? I actually had a dream about Slope last night and I haven't seen BC in ages! LOL Did you watch January Man or Dogma yet?
And thank you, Dee and Aurora for the great links!
Sorry folks. Screwed up the link for The Most Serene Republic! I've tried again this time, but have to admit to being technologically challenged! If anyone's interested, you can have a free listen to 'The Most Serene Republic' (according to the news section of this website, a group Alan Rickman is an avid fan of) on www.artscrafts.ca . I did and the jury's still out for me, but most things deserve more than one listen, so maybe ... Currently I'm renting dvd's via Amazon and working my way through everything Alan Rickman is in. Thoroughly enjoying indulging in this way! I'd love to see Mesmer and notice it is regularly up for sale or bid, but am not sure of the format. Does anyone know if it's available in Region 2, which I think is the fornmat needed for watching in the UK? Sorry if you've already had messages about this and I'm repeating a much asked question! Thanks. Elaine i love this site and i get it from google seach please boys join the site. Hi there,
just wanted to say hello to you girls, which I met at MNiRC in London. Any news? I still think of this special event and I hope to have again the oportunity to see Alan so near.
I saw Dogma last weekend, FABULOUS!!! He is just the one, my dear! UUUUhhhh, There's no one loke Alan!
Kind regards to all!
Yours Cristina Oh my god, I'm in the train and a man here looks exactly like our man. Mmmm too bad its not him. But what a day to start the day huh? Oh, Corpse Bride? Nope, nothing at all to do with it. Just tipping my hat to Red Tango, who stated he/she has been animating for quite a long time. Red Tango being the "professional" one.
IDBM..
I totally understand what your saying. However, one issue is that you being a professional, would understand and find those cues. Those of us who are casual viewers (I cannot speak for everyone) would perhaps miss them. Well I don't want to beat a dead horse.
Wow? Did you work on that film? In my wilder days I was a bit of an amatur cartoonist. I recall I almost got thrown out of school for one bit I did. Do you animate? Or are you a conceptual artist? Everything is so computerized these days I remember when single-cell animation was less 75 FPS. Did they outsource the work (backgrounds)? Iris: I'd say Wah Wah has been the best film I've seen in a while. Probably better when you're not having a really bad day or perhaps when you are and need a frame of reference. For all this man's suffering, it was a funny and moving film. The director was also a lot of fun in the Q&A.
@ IDMT
'Wah Wah' was your favorite film of the festival? That doesn't surprise cz it was written and directed by Richard E. Grant! I just read today that it's a sort of autobiography about his own life, and now I also want to see it! Richard was my number one actor before I discovered AR, but since then I got a bit carried away with AR and almost completely forgot about REG untill I discovered today that REG has an "Offical Website" (why hasn't AR got an official one??). But now I've decided that both AR and REG are my number one actors/writers/directors/etc. , although AR does have the better looks.... :-D Yes, it does become a game, doesn't it? No one will ever completely agree on what makes a film, but if the same bad notes keep ringing there's probably room to improve those qualities to best appease a general audience and make some cash with an American distributor.
i dey maga good work keep up Oh it's ok, years of having to sit through college films and amateur presentations have made me a rather harsh film critic. Either that or I have seen the Rocky Horror to many times. For some reason this film just reminded me of those days. I have to say it showed some genuine artistic effort, not just a cookie-cutter blockbuster piece of crap. The level of difficultly it takes to bring an issue like autism to the screen was probably enormous. Some years ago, I used to enjoy independent films a lot but now I find them quite pretentious. They seem to try to hard to be "off-beat" rather than do something true to life. Nonetheless, I shall add something positive. It brought attention to autism in the eye of the general public. It was shot in an interesting locality. I will also direct my criticism less on the actors but more on the writing and the story. It was rather, unbelievable. Now I am aware that film allows us to stretch our imaginations and contrive situation that could never exist in reality. However, getting the characters together in the way that they did was haphazardly accomplished. That's all. I will say no more. AR was great and even Mrs. Weaver had her moments. I still think Carrie Ann Moss carried that entire film along with AR. Had it not been for their great talents to bend the stiff dialog and imbue it will there own special touch, It could have been far worse. There are many shriveled up critics in our fair city that will stop at nothing to outdo each other in the game of "who can give the most negative rating and the wittiest cutting remarks in regards to the film." It's all rather silly. Even if it makes for good entertainment. some reviews of Perfume at Aint It Cool News
caution as there are major Spoilers
Apololgies if this is old news, but Snow Cake has two showings at Cannes. (Scroll down to the bottom of the Fortissimo at Cannes page.) Um, one was yesterday, and the other is on Saturday. Those of you in the south of France, hop on over. In fact, I don't think anyone can just get a ticket to see s film there, but at least the film is getting seen. AR as Macbeth--sounds great!
My dream would be to see Alan Rickman play Mabeth -that voice just screams to play him! lris, I think that the amount of difference Alan Rickman puts into all his various characters is pretty amazing. Yes, there are going to be some similarities, especially among similar characters, but I never have any problem seeing each of his characters as a unique individual. I don't think he "copies" himself, but works hard to make each person as human and real as possible.
Alfan,
I loved Boondock Saints, which surprised me because normally I don't enjoy that much violence! It was an absorbing movie, really funny in spots.
Kate,
I'm only just learning about autistics, but the one and only thing they have in common is that they have almost nothing in common! There is a huge range of intelligence and behaviors that I've seen among a handful of kids. Plenty of the people I met could be called obnoxious--many autistics have an enormously difficult time focusing on anything but their most immediate interest, and consideration for others is not always a strong point. I know I haven't seen Snow Cake, but I wouldn't dismiss Sigourney Weaver's portrayal so quickly. I'm sorry to hear there was so much you didn't like--disappointing. Fir--just for your information, Norman Reedus stars in a movie called Boondock Saints with both Patrick Flannery and Willem Defoe, its a great movie.If you cant find it I suggest you rent it, its one of the better ones. I saw snow cake, and my thought upon leaving the showing would have to be classified as "are we going for drinks yet?" Either AR's agents have bad taste or he picks projects out of hat. Ugh that dialog, it was horrible and it utterly destroyed the illusion. Not only did it take away from his ability and charm on screen but it was just plain bad. It gave me the shudders, especially when Sigourney Weaver was in the scene. Not only was she a totally unconvincing autistic, but she bordered on obnoxious. AR and Carrie Ann Moss saved that movie from a D- review. They had great chemistry, and I was taken by surprise by how good of an actress Carrie Moss is. I suppose when you have a real actor to work with and not a 'plank of wood with a mean face' (*cough* Keanu Reeves) then your talent can indeed shine. As soon as I left the showing I talked with some people and we all agreed the film overall was C-ish quality for a verity of reasons. AR shined in all his little moments but it proves bad writing can really hurt a film.
Did anyone see tonights episode of Law & Order? The famous rock star ( in the show) had an eerie familiar face, that of the DARK Harbor young man. I had to google the info to make sure it was him, and yup, Norman Reedus is his name and he's still around, I've never seen him in anything else but he was just as creepy. Hi, I'm done with watching The Barchester Chronicles and Die Hard!
As I've said before: I just love The BC's! It's so funny and hilarious and AR is doing a marvellous job! And yes, if it's your dream to end up in heaven, than that last line of Slope is brilliant. But even if AR wasn't in it, I think I would still have loved The BC's.
And then, about Hans Grüber (Why does that name remind me of two caracters in the BBC's 'Allo, 'Allo ? ;-) ) as we, Dutch people, would say it: "Daar zou ik wel eens een beschuitje mee willen eten....!" He is just so sexy, especially when he's talking in German! But I've noticed, when watching Hans, that AR has used some stuff (mainly the way he uses his voice and some mimics) from Hans Gruber's caracter in his versions of The Sheriff of Nottingham and The Investigator. Too me, The Sheriff now seems like a Hans Gruber without patience, a Hans loosing control and freaking out. Somehow the way he plays the Sheriff doesn't seem that original or unique to me anymore (but that doesn't mean that I don't love the Sheriff anymore!). But it could be just the way the part of The Sheriff was written (as in: maybe it was based on Hans Gruber) and that AR did gave it a twist by playing The Sheriff really angry, impatient and extravert... And about The Investigator... you know that part when he plays the prisoner who is being tortured by 'the guy with the heavy voice'? That voice he uses to play the prisoner, it's the same kind of voice he uses when Hans is playing the hostage who has escaped from the terrorists.... I don't know, maybe these are some minor details and am I the only one who noticed them.... I think I have to see all 3 movies again too see if I'm correct (Oh, what a tough task I'm setting myself ;-) ) But it does remind me that, like every human being, AR is not perfect. And I think not one actor can play so many (different) parts without repeating him- or herself... although AR still is the best -in my opinion- in playing the same sort of caracters in so many different and unique ways...! Next on my list is the January Man, and after that I'm gonna buy (and watch!) Dogma and The Winter guest (are there any special editions dvd's of those movies?) Very nice site, good luck in the future. IDMT:
Hey, I just stopped in briefly to say hello to you, and to let you know I think you are very intelligent and articulate with well developed instincts. Don't put yourself down. Your SnowCake comments were interesting and well put.
I've worked in both live action and animation for over 15 years, and I just wanted to let you know you are on the right track..your comments in regards to editing and storytelling demonstrate an objective understanding of film making. Kudos to you! Hope you stick around.
RedTango Is this connected to Mike Binder's claim that one of the two pictures of elderly women in The Search for John Gissing is actually a photo of AR's mother? I was at the film festival in Los Angeles when Binder made the claim. It seems rather un-AR to do such a thing, but I can't see much reason for Binder to lie about it, either. I just came across a mention of AR's mother (pic) in a livejournal (I will neither post nickname nor add) and wondered if anyone else has come across it and whether it is really her? (if anyone wants to mail - you're welcome, see above)
Aurora
- Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at 07:03:47 PM (EDT)
Cindy <ottermom581@cox.netfoo>
Phoenix, AZ USA - Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at 03:18:37 AM (EDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 06:47:24 PM (EDT)
martha
maine, - Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 05:43:37 AM (EDT)
mwbashful18 <carpediem18@comcast.netfoo>
US - Monday, July 24, 2006 at 08:35:05 PM (EDT)
Suzanne just called and said that her computer got FRIED during a thunderstorm on Saturday evening, and that it'll take a while for her to get it back to normal.
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
- Monday, July 24, 2006 at 07:51:10 PM (EDT)
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, July 23, 2006 at 08:14:20 AM (EDT)
Lee Eft
- Sunday, July 23, 2006 at 12:23:21 AM (EDT)
Barbara
Wellington, NZ - Saturday, July 22, 2006 at 05:57:11 PM (EDT)
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Saturday, July 22, 2006 at 10:58:54 AM (EDT)
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, July 22, 2006 at 07:42:56 AM (EDT)
Kerry <pmbeatlefan@hotmail.comfoo>
Braintree, MA 02184 - Friday, July 21, 2006 at 11:50:27 PM (EDT)
gem lee
how great ar is, - Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 05:29:57 AM (EDT)
Haley H. Hooks <takeoutbox33@yahoo.comfoo>
Starkville, MS USA - Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 04:53:50 PM (EDT)
He is presented as patient and generous, sends people chocolate (I think this has already been mentioned in this guestbook, or am I wrong?) and an 18th c. cushion to ET. He tells her about the rather mixed experience of LLD, and she counters with a similar story of her own. And she praises him in (I think)one of the scenes where he's looking for Marianne -- ET thinks he's "splendid, charming and virile" in it. Unfortunately, it was, I think, cut in the version I saw! C'est la vie . . .
Best,
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 04:32:14 PM (EDT)
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 07:20:18 AM (EDT)
Kate
NYC, NY - Monday, July 17, 2006 at 11:28:25 PM (EDT)
mwbashful18 <carpediem18@comcast.netfoo>
US - Monday, July 17, 2006 at 05:07:03 PM (EDT)
If possible, I'll see the film in Edinburgh.
Best, Pia Susanna
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, July 17, 2006 at 08:13:30 AM (EDT)
Entertainment
http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/entertainment/15036710.htm
Posted on Fri, Jul. 14, 2006
Movie mailbag
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal movie critic
Thanks, Juliana, for the info about the READ poster! And Georgiana, for the "inside" info on the now Noel Coward Theatre. :-) And the link to the READ website! I was wondering why we never heard your review of Snow Cake, but I'm so glad you were able to see it. You shouldn't work so hard! ;-)
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Sunday, July 16, 2006 at 06:55:47 PM (EDT)
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, July 16, 2006 at 05:07:47 PM (EDT)
IDMT
- Sunday, July 16, 2006 at 11:34:31 AM (EDT)
Georgiana (sorry--no review on 'Snow Cake" as I had too much work to go.)
Seatte - Friday, July 14, 2006 at 08:25:44 PM (EDT)
It's possible to dance well (even wickedly)to contemporary music, surely, and still prefer classical music.
Best,
Pia Susanna
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
scotland - Friday, July 14, 2006 at 04:59:55 PM (EDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Thursday, July 13, 2006 at 08:07:57 PM (EDT)
Greta
Germany - Wednesday, July 12, 2006 at 10:16:30 PM (EDT)
martha
maine, - Wednesday, July 12, 2006 at 07:51:05 AM (EDT)
Stephanie
UK - Tuesday, July 11, 2006 at 11:43:16 AM (EDT)
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
scotland - Monday, July 10, 2006 at 08:45:48 AM (EDT)
martha
maine, - Monday, July 10, 2006 at 06:22:41 AM (EDT)
mwbashful18 <carpediem18@comcast.netfoo>
- Sunday, July 09, 2006 at 10:17:31 PM (EDT)
Julia
Canada - Sunday, July 09, 2006 at 11:12:28 AM (EDT)
As for music and movies, agreed it points to influences, but what those influences mean is anybody's guess. I feel like different aspects of music are useful for different things. For a young teen in a high-risk, low-income housing development, fast and hard-hitting rap music might help motivate them out into their work day and release some tension at being part of the unfortunate have-not sector of society. It's a struggle, and the music as battle call maybe reflects that. It serves a respectable purpose.
It's also interesting to note studies show that more women than men go to horror movies. Are women glorifying violence, or is it a form of adient-repulsivenes where they're somehow dealing with their worst fears in watching them in action? Or is it that women who are unfortunately really desperate for a date are going to pay for tickets to a movie they don't really want to watch AND buy their date's ticket as well on a credit card transaction?
It's great to introduce people to things they never knew existed, and in most cases, people tend to like good music and good stories universally, they just have to be aware something better is out there. What they reach for at the time just depends on what they know exists and the kind of life situation they're distracted with at the moment. Not all jazz is good jazz, not all rap is good rap. etc.
IDMT
NYC, - Sunday, July 09, 2006 at 10:19:16 AM (EDT)
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
scotland - Sunday, July 09, 2006 at 09:38:12 AM (EDT)
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
scotland - Sunday, July 09, 2006 at 08:55:08 AM (EDT)
martha
maine, - Sunday, July 09, 2006 at 08:39:46 AM (EDT)
Vera
- Sunday, July 09, 2006 at 07:51:25 AM (EDT)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Sunday, July 09, 2006 at 06:22:59 AM (EDT)
mwbashful18 <carpediem18@comcast.netfoo>
US - Sunday, July 09, 2006 at 02:19:00 AM (EDT)
martha
maine, - Saturday, July 08, 2006 at 07:39:29 PM (EDT)
Julia
Canada - Saturday, July 08, 2006 at 03:08:11 PM (EDT)
martha
maine, - Saturday, July 08, 2006 at 05:52:03 AM (EDT)
Sheena - I'd say that's a good indication that a great amount of ambition and hard work has paid off. Plotting a seven book series that is successful enough to have garnered this much readership is bound to be extremely difficult. If not for the writing, then for the formulating of the factors which would become so appealing to children (and adults.) Plotting anything for a successful story line is difficult, but I'd say that probably lends credability to the notion that everything in those books is craft and not so much of an accidental lucky streak. I don't know, I find the whole phenominon an interesting way of reflecting social attitudes backwards at ourselves. You look at the famous and then you look at what you find appealing about their outward presentation, and then you look at how looking becomes the answer in the way people act or react en masse as a reflection of their own hopes and attitudes in the metaphors that are painted to seduce us. The media is very aware. And you know what works because what works is used the most.
IDMT
USA - Friday, July 07, 2006 at 11:09:01 PM (EDT)
Friday, July 7, 2006 9:20 AM EDT
Juliana
- Friday, July 07, 2006 at 10:00:38 PM (EDT)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Wednesday, July 05, 2006 at 03:47:55 AM (EDT)
IDMT
NYC, - Tuesday, July 04, 2006 at 11:30:48 PM (EDT)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Tuesday, July 04, 2006 at 04:21:57 PM (EDT)
Best,
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
scotland - Tuesday, July 04, 2006 at 01:54:05 PM (EDT)
martha
maine, - Tuesday, July 04, 2006 at 07:54:46 AM (EDT)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Tuesday, July 04, 2006 at 07:04:10 AM (EDT)
pia susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
scotland - Monday, July 03, 2006 at 05:41:53 PM (EDT)
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Monday, July 03, 2006 at 04:18:22 PM (EDT)
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Monday, July 03, 2006 at 03:07:16 PM (EDT)
kit
pa usa - Monday, July 03, 2006 at 01:52:42 PM (EDT)
Aurora
- Monday, July 03, 2006 at 11:14:14 AM (EDT)
martha
maine, - Sunday, July 02, 2006 at 07:46:18 AM (EDT)
Marsha
- Saturday, July 01, 2006 at 12:21:52 PM (EDT)
Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the Eighteenth Century, published by the MMA, 2006. You can read more about it on Amazon.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, July 01, 2006 at 08:53:45 AM (EDT)
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Saturday, July 01, 2006 at 01:15:51 AM (EDT)
mwbashful18 <carpediem18@comcast.netfoo>
US - Friday, June 30, 2006 at 10:31:39 PM (EDT)
Photos: Stars Attend Noël Coward Renaming Event
Adam Godley, Lindsay Duncan and Alan Rickman
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Friday, June 30, 2006 at 09:19:30 PM (EDT)
Does anybody know if AR will visit Edinburgh during the Festival in August?
Pia Susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
Scotland - Friday, June 30, 2006 at 09:03:14 AM (EDT)
Aurora
- Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 03:28:03 PM (EDT)
Renie
- Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 02:16:51 PM (EDT)
Lee
WI - Monday, June 26, 2006 at 10:29:31 PM (EDT)
Susan
- Monday, June 26, 2006 at 12:44:13 PM (EDT)
Ravanna <Ravanna1st@web.defoo>
Germany - Monday, June 26, 2006 at 09:26:20 AM (EDT)
23 June 2006
****
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Sunday, June 25, 2006 at 06:51:34 PM (EDT)
JC
- Sunday, June 25, 2006 at 09:15:40 AM (EDT)
JC
- Sunday, June 25, 2006 at 09:00:59 AM (EDT)
Mary
Warwick, RI US - Saturday, June 24, 2006 at 08:33:12 PM (EDT)
JL <stunner@noway.comfoo>
Dallas, tx usa - Saturday, June 24, 2006 at 12:20:18 AM (EDT)
Ali-Pat again <ali-pat@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, June 23, 2006 at 07:23:55 AM (EDT)
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, June 23, 2006 at 07:07:20 AM (EDT)
For my 5oth birthday coming up I would concider getting a HP themed tatoo. Got any good ideas? (although my husbands scar cannot be topped!)
fir
- Thursday, June 22, 2006 at 02:05:02 PM (EDT)
Pia Susanna <susanna.roxman@telia.comfoo>
Edinburgh, Scotland - Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at 08:17:40 AM (EDT)
Tina <tattooedlady72735@yahoo.comfoo>
Sain Paul, AR USA - Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at 12:55:03 AM (EDT)
Tracy
- Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 05:58:11 PM (EDT)
Susan
- Friday, June 16, 2006 at 03:38:43 PM (EDT)
kit
pa usa - Thursday, June 15, 2006 at 10:25:48 AM (EDT)
Anne <maygirl294@witty.comfoo>
indpls, IN USA - Wednesday, June 14, 2006 at 11:47:05 AM (EDT)
Laura
- Wednesday, June 14, 2006 at 01:27:38 AM (EDT)
Amy
Illinois USA - Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 06:47:23 PM (EDT)
Teaqueen
Edinburgh, Scotland - Monday, June 12, 2006 at 06:09:39 PM (EDT)
ACC
- Sunday, June 11, 2006 at 11:15:49 PM (EDT)
I'm still trying to figure out that security code script. I'm somewhat familiar with CGI and Pearl, but PHP... well, I'm getting errors. To..., who kindly posted the website, if you (or anybody else) knows anything about PHP, could you please e-mail me? I have a couple of questions.
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Sunday, June 11, 2006 at 10:17:55 PM (EDT)
kate
nyc, - Saturday, June 10, 2006 at 11:06:52 PM (EDT)
Donna
- Saturday, June 10, 2006 at 04:17:44 PM (EDT)
As usual you bring up a good point. It is obvious that the story goes further than the marketing. It will probably be very good, after all AR saved RHPOT from Costneritus (a unusual element that plagues any film Kevin Costner is in). I have a healthy skeptics of films adapted from novels.
kate
nyc, - Friday, June 09, 2006 at 04:43:01 PM (EDT)
Elaine
Scotland - Friday, June 09, 2006 at 10:11:11 AM (EDT)
Snape's Witch
- Friday, June 09, 2006 at 04:23:59 AM (EDT)
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
Oh, wow, the giraffe has always been my favorite animal! - TX, USA - Friday, June 09, 2006 at 12:05:32 AM (EDT)
...
- Thursday, June 08, 2006 at 09:36:19 PM (EDT)
Teaqueen
Edinburgh, Scotland - Thursday, June 08, 2006 at 04:25:08 PM (EDT)
Julia
Canada - Thursday, June 08, 2006 at 03:30:42 PM (EDT)
Julia
Canada - Thursday, June 08, 2006 at 03:28:22 PM (EDT)
RedTango
- Thursday, June 08, 2006 at 12:24:17 PM (EDT)
patti <pattipalenz@bellsouth.netfoo>
AL US - Thursday, June 08, 2006 at 11:57:13 AM (EDT)
Aurora
- Wednesday, June 07, 2006 at 07:41:16 AM (EDT)
Red Tango - I just looked at your portfolio and I think I've seen your work before with the black cat illustration. Nice. I haven't seen any other Burton films to compare, but I like that Edward Gorey style. I have to admit the story flow in Corpse Bride was pretty flat, but the technical feats of the stop animation and sets really impressed me. I don't expect much out of random films. Actually, I don't expect much out of a lot of films. So does that count as off topic? Will the off-topic police come and start an altercation with my doorman? That's fine. He's the size of a small Canadian Province.
;-)
IDMT
NYC, - Tuesday, June 06, 2006 at 11:33:23 PM (EDT)
Suz (D.o.C.)
kate
nyc, - Tuesday, June 06, 2006 at 11:20:55 AM (EDT)
Claudia
GA - Tuesday, June 06, 2006 at 09:40:26 AM (EDT)
Julia
Canada - Tuesday, June 06, 2006 at 12:16:03 AM (EDT)
lola
- Monday, June 05, 2006 at 11:54:49 PM (EDT)
kate
nyc, - Sunday, June 04, 2006 at 06:57:55 PM (EDT)
Susan
- Sunday, June 04, 2006 at 03:25:45 PM (EDT)
Iris <govinda_temple@hotmail.comfoo>
NL - Sunday, June 04, 2006 at 09:42:48 AM (EDT)
martha
maine, - Sunday, June 04, 2006 at 09:10:15 AM (EDT)
martha
maine, - Sunday, June 04, 2006 at 09:02:53 AM (EDT)
ACC
- Sunday, June 04, 2006 at 02:17:27 AM (EDT)
Kate
NYC, - Sunday, June 04, 2006 at 12:36:02 AM (EDT)
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Saturday, June 03, 2006 at 11:58:13 PM (EDT)
Corina
Germany - Saturday, June 03, 2006 at 09:12:08 PM (EDT)
Rebecca/Seattle
find me on line 6/7 at the Neptune Theater in Seattle!, - Saturday, June 03, 2006 at 03:01:14 PM (EDT)
Aurora
- Saturday, June 03, 2006 at 07:53:53 AM (EDT)
Purple Roze <debra333@comcast.netfoo>
Pittsburgh, PA USA - Saturday, June 03, 2006 at 03:01:37 AM (EDT)
RedTango
Burbank, Ca - Friday, June 02, 2006 at 11:49:08 PM (EDT)
test
- Thursday, June 01, 2006 at 10:42:14 PM (EDT)
kate
nyc, - Thursday, June 01, 2006 at 04:36:14 PM (EDT)
Meeressternchen
- Thursday, June 01, 2006 at 04:09:03 PM (EDT)
kate
nyc, - Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at 10:30:58 PM (EDT)
Rachel Bekich <rachelgoldenhair@aol.comfoo>
Las Vegas, NV USA - Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at 03:24:59 PM (EDT)
snapes_witch
- Tuesday, May 30, 2006 at 11:32:29 PM (EDT)
Rachel <rlwalker@dragonwalkerart.comfoo>
RI USA - Tuesday, May 30, 2006 at 09:53:17 PM (EDT)
Georgiana (who will miss "Snow Cake" on June 1--being en route to a professional meeting in Atlanta--but hope to be back for the June 7 showing)
Seattle - Tuesday, May 30, 2006 at 01:41:13 PM (EDT)
Aurora
- Tuesday, May 30, 2006 at 08:09:40 AM (EDT)
Lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Sunday, May 28, 2006 at 04:02:54 PM (EDT)
do you remember me at the MNiRC Night in London? You won't believe me, wendsday I received post of The secretary of Alan Rickman with a signed Foto of him "to Cristina Alan Rickman" Wow, I didn't expect it anymore! Kind regards
Cristina
cristina <dambuur@bluewin.chfoo>
Switzerland/France - Sunday, May 28, 2006 at 09:00:12 AM (EDT)
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Saturday, May 27, 2006 at 11:26:51 AM (EDT)
Don't click the ads, or you may be supporting the script writer attempting a comission from them.
A change to the name of the perl script used to submit the form would break the remote submission process until the form page was indexed by that script again. Adding a meta tag with instructions not to index the form submission page would discourage most major seach engines from indexing the form page. But from the looks of the name of that script, this may already be done from time to time.
Funny: http://www.myspace.com/alansydneypatrickrickman
...
- Saturday, May 27, 2006 at 12:26:41 AM (EDT)
Georgiana (and how do all these illicit drug postings do anything but garner ill will?)
Seattle - Friday, May 26, 2006 at 09:01:32 PM (EDT)
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Friday, May 26, 2006 at 08:57:08 PM (EDT)
David Hasselfoff <eccoiv@hotmail.comfoo>
- Friday, May 26, 2006 at 05:32:35 PM (EDT)
Elaine Millar
Crieff, Scotland, UK - Friday, May 26, 2006 at 04:53:33 PM (EDT)
katie <seyma_dan@example.comfoo>
new york, ABD - Friday, May 26, 2006 at 04:55:04 AM (EDT)
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Friday, May 26, 2006 at 02:03:12 AM (EDT)
Iris <govinda_temple@hotmail.comfoo>
NL - Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 06:09:55 PM (EDT)
Renie
- Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 01:24:25 PM (EDT)
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 10:12:08 AM (EDT)
Elaine Millar <foo">foo>
- Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 04:48:06 AM (EDT)
Elaine Millar <millarclan@btinternet.comfoo>
Crieff, Scotland, UK - Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 04:37:34 AM (EDT)
peter pan <mumu@yahoo.comfoo>
lome, togo - Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 09:07:02 AM (EDT)
Cristina <dambuur@bluewin.chfoo>
switzerland/France - Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 06:39:37 AM (EDT)
Saskia <saskiapanter@hotmail.comfoo>
Netherlands - Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 02:16:27 AM (EDT)
I animate when called to do so for commercial projects. Being able to design in 3D or faking it in flash or with photoshop filters has become a staple of the current commercial art industry.
But I still have a lot of admiration for people who work with things like stop-amination, and that film took over five years. I went to see it on principle.
I don't believe they outsourced anything major, or course it really depends on what that means. It's my understanding the film was all miniture sets and movable plastic figurines, so it wasn't drawn cells. There was probably an insane amount of preparation and storyboarding. It was snap a cell, move some figures. And when you watch that film and realize that it's just impressive. Well, I think so, anyway... have a nice night.
IDMT
- Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 12:03:36 AM (EDT)
kate
NYC, - Sunday, May 21, 2006 at 07:26:06 PM (EDT)
If I had to rank actors I like, I couldn't do it. But I can list plenty of contemporary actors and their performances that I would suggest. I'm not an indie snob by any stretch. I love good movies.
Morgan Freeman (Seven, Shawshank Redemption), Anthony Hopkins (Remains of the Day, Sincence of the Lambs), Joan Cusack (High Fedility, Grosse Pointe Blank), Bill Murray (Groundhog Day, Saturday Night Live), Samuel L. Jackson (Unbreakable, A Time To Kill), Lawrence Fishbourne (Event Horizon, The Color Purple), Bill Nighy (Shaun of the Dead), Sigourney Weaver (Alien, Dave), Kevin Klein (A Fish Called Wanda, French Kiss), Emma Thompson (Love Actually, Much Ado about Nothing), Kenneth Branagh (Wild Wild West - a film completely saved by the actors - Brabagh, Smith, and Klein,) Judy Dench (Pride & Prejudice, various Bond films), Maggie Smith (Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Gosford Park), Helen Mirren (Prime Suspect, completely ownes Gosford Park), Robin Williams (One Hour Photo, Dead Poets Society, Death to Smoochy, What Dreams May Come), John Leguizamo (To Wong Foo, Mambo Mouth), Graham Chapman (Monty Python & the Quest for the Holy Grail) -sadly extinct, Pierce Brosnan (The Thomas Crown Affair) -the only Bond not to shiver in Sean Connery's shadow, Sean Connery (Entrapment, Rising Sun), Liam Neeson (Schindler's List), Jim Carrey (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), Robbie Coltrane (Cracker, Blackadder), Johnny Depp (Edward Scissorhands, Pirates of the Caribbean), Ethan Hawke (Tape, Waking Life, Great Expectations, Gattaca), Ashley Judd (Eye of the Beholder, A Time to Kill), Gwyneth Paltrow (Sliding Doors, A Perfect Murder).
I don't know, that's probably three days of solid performance or something. But they're all interesting and watchable performances. Anyone else have any other suggestions for good movies of our time? Any good films or performances coming up in the NYC area that are worth seeing?
IDMT
- Sunday, May 21, 2006 at 05:59:58 PM (EDT)
Iris <govinda_temple@hotmail.comfoo>
NL - Saturday, May 20, 2006 at 11:57:35 AM (EDT)
||I SPOILER I||
Per the autism, I thought Weaver added those touches because that's how she visually referenced different aspects of autism. She didn't give the woman finesse because she was adding in some motor movement issues as solid visual cues to help understand her internal state. Her physical tantrum-like stance additionally made sense to me as the hook for Hughes's character. Alex never got to watch his son grow up, which is a difficult central aspect of his guilt towards Weaver, and the motivation for his need to take care of her. He not only needs to talk, he needs to be a father for losing the opportunity with his son. That message was too understated. He didn't talk about it, and there was only one image and reference to the son in the entire film. The snowflake image system was using conventional symbolism of snow for happiness / isolation instead of developing a film-specific meaning for it which reinforced the character relationships being examined.
Red Tango - Thanks for the kind encouragements. That was incredibly nice to read at the end of a long day. After 15 years I bet you're an amazing animator. I've worked in production a little bit but never earned my stripes. Did you see Corpse Bride? I do a lot of CG but stop motion still makes its mark.
Per the backtracking, I just saw that CBS video interview and felt guity hearing these poor men apologizing in the opening credits for exactly what we're all ranting about. I'm sure this line of work is tough. We wouldn't bother to post if we didn't respect them. After all we're on the fan board, not the Berlin Times.
IDMT
- Saturday, May 20, 2006 at 09:26:24 AM (EDT)
jomugu <jomugu@yahoo.comfoo>
berlin, be germany - Saturday, May 20, 2006 at 02:21:23 AM (EDT)
kate
- Saturday, May 20, 2006 at 02:13:10 AM (EDT)
dee
Canada - Friday, May 19, 2006 at 11:04:37 PM (EDT)
Aurora
- Friday, May 19, 2006 at 07:32:39 AM (EDT)
Hazel Woodall <hazydaydream@hotmail.comfoo>
- Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 07:20:20 PM (EDT)
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA USA - Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 06:40:36 PM (EDT)
Alfan
Canada - Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 10:48:57 AM (EDT)
kate
NYC, - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 11:33:41 PM (EDT)
fir
- Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 11:08:44 PM (EDT)
Iris <govinda_temple@hotmail.comfoo>
NL - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 04:10:22 PM (EDT)
Albert
- Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 07:30:38 AM (EDT)
RedTango
Burbank, Ca - Monday, May 15, 2006 at 07:55:30 PM (EDT)
Susan
- Monday, May 15, 2006 at 05:23:50 PM (EDT)
Meeressternchen <
