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Susan, so glad you mentioned AABA. This has become my favorite AR film. There are so many layers to PL O'Hara, the Rickman character for those who haven't seen the film, and I think it is an example of his finest acting. I know of no one else who could possibly play this complex guy and make him at the same time despicable and likeable, unforgivable and sympathetic. He says the trick is that he never judges the character that he plays, so it is hard for us to judge him as well. We just see PL as flawed and heartbreakingly human all at the same time. If you miss this film, not to mention the only time you may ever see Rickman as Captain Hook, you have truly missed something astounding.
Dottie <dottee77777@msn.comfoo>
- Monday, December 31, 2007 at 08:11:39 PM (EST)
I don't think there are any significant differences between the two editions except age, so I would grab one of the cheaper ones right away. This is a great performance-- layered, complex, maddening, anguished, clownish, sexy, and not to be missed. (I'm assuming you can play region 1 DVDs.) You might also think about getting Rasputin, which is hard to come by, and AABA, which is wonderful.
Susan
- Monday, December 31, 2007 at 06:28:36 PM (EST)
What's the difference between the different DVD editions of "Mesmer"? Some are as low as $7.00 or so, and then other DVDs are going for $50 and up to $70! The only difference I can see in the listings is the manufacturer's date: 2000 for the expensive DVD, and 2006 for the cheap version.
Any ideas? Can you trust Amazon third-party sellers when they say DVDs are "brand-new, factory sealed"?
Thanks!
Colleen
Colleen <bkgobbler@aol.comfoo>
Silver Spring, MD USA - Monday, December 31, 2007 at 05:04:50 PM (EST)
My daughter and I saw ST Friday and enjoyed it (she for JD; me for AR)I almost didn't go because I have not liked this musical, and as a singer, didn't appreciate the casting of non-singers, BUT, I've come to the conculsion that better singers would have been distracting! It's not fabulous melodic music, more like talking songs ( recitative), so that the words are actually much more important than the music, and the story much more important than the music making. Anyway, slight pitch problems and a little vocal straining aside (and way too much blood), it was a good, compelling movie with a great deal of humor not noticed in a stage production. Go see it!
Kit
pa usa - Monday, December 31, 2007 at 03:41:54 PM (EST)
Here's an interesting article about the costume designer for ST.
A safe and happy New Year to everybody!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Monday, December 31, 2007 at 09:05:26 AM (EST)
ACC: Seems awful; from recent posts here, including your latest, I don't know if I'd like to see this movie at all, much as I admire AR! But you don't HAVE to eat meat, you know. I never do; I've been a kind of lacto-vegetarian for years. I've seen a few clips from ST, and know what you mean about the finger-nails, visible in the "gandered at my ward" scene. It made me think of what I've read about AR as Valmont, making his finger-nails dirty -- quite literally, I believe. Or did I get things wrong? It might have been a metaphor.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Sunday, December 30, 2007 at 10:10:25 AM (EST)
If I saw ST again, I would know where to close my eyes LOL-I would have them open for the Rickman bits, except where he is slit open-I haven't wanted any meat for three days now and counting, and even though Rickman has nice hands, those nails- thick, fungus-y creepy and dirty-, and the thought of eating a meat pie with fingernails in it-uggghhh
ACC
- Sunday, December 30, 2007 at 12:23:24 AM (EST)
Sorry if this is a repeat, but if it's not, here's a link to an interview with Rickman r.e. "Sweeney Todd" wherein the writer offers parts of the taped intervew for all to hear!
[URL]http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35127[/URL]
Fastfilm <Tinseltownfoo>
- Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 02:18:20 PM (EST)
I forgot one bit of news. If you are lucky enough to have access to the January 2008 issue of Los Angeles Magazine there is a gorgeous photo spread of Alan dancing in bare feet. Swoon. And I don't say that lightly.
Ali-Pat
- Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 08:09:23 AM (EST)
Hey gang-I saw Sweeney Todd last night also and loved every minute of it! I was prepared for the blood, but it was so theatrical and over the top it was more like a Monty Python sketch. The thing I really loved about the film was the small touches of humor (my companion roared with laughter at the seaside sequence and told me later it was a perfect depiction of every vacation she and her husband have ever taken) and the music. The MUSIC is a revelation! One reviewer mused that this was the first production of ST he had ever seen where he could enjoy the wonderful orchestration and witty lyrics without being overwhelmed by the vocal pyrotechnics and I think I have to agree with him. All in all, an evening well spent.
Now I would like to pass on a couple of articles about a couple of Alan’s pre-ST films. One about Snow Cake here and one about The Search for John Gissing here.
Enjoy! (Gosh I hope all those links work…)
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 08:03:49 AM (EST)
Opps that was SHANE Maloney books... AR needs a break in the Sun! Australia is beautiful!
Madonna Again. <bpac350@hotmail.comfoo>
Warwick, Australia - Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 06:27:30 AM (EST)
Hello everyone.
It has been a long time since I wrote here!. Really glad to see AR doing Sweeny Todd. I also think that Timothy Spall is a good actor. I saw his good work alongside our David Wenham in Getting Square made here in Qld at my old home the Gold Coast - any Aussies remember this one?
I know I keep asking this question but when will AR come down this way?? He may be interested in the Shaun Maloney books - Murray Whelan series?? So good they are- funny. It's time I think! AR is still looking smart isn't he.
Would love to hear from any other Aussies here on the GB! Or my email! Love to you all on this good GB!.
Madonna (AKA Barbara the Australian) <bpac350@hotmail.comfoo>
Warwick, Qld. Australia - Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 06:22:58 AM (EST)
I'm not good with words. I never have been. So i hope in this comment i make clear what i am trying to put out in the open. I think Alan Rickman is amazing! But more recently i have been captivated by the strength of his mother. Holy cow! raising 4 kids on your own! Dont get me wrong, i love Alan. But i think i have another hero ^_^ to add to my list. Its one thing to act or play a part that is emotionally inspiring, and there's nothing wrong with that. But i just realized how many people i miss or pass up being amazed by dayly because i focus so much on that box in the living room.
But back to Alan! I've loved you since i was 8! btw that wasn't a long time ago lol! Keep up the good work! I love your nose! Cheers! ^_^ haha
EsTher
Esther Smith <Irelandsirishcharm@juno.comfoo>
Gig Harbor, Wa USA - Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 04:00:03 AM (EST)
I also saw Sweeney Todd today. I can report that the acting is magnificent, the directing is outstanding, the singing was very proficient, every second of Mr. Rickman was worth the price of the ticket, and I did not like the movie. I wonder if there was a more cartoon or surreal quality to the blood and gore of the play-anyone who has seen it care to comment? Lot of WTF? moments.Too much blood,too vividly represented,the body count was too high, and I tolerated Rickers being killed in Rasputin because he didn't look like himself, but in Sweeney Todd he looked like himself, perhaps a bit scruffy, and it was very distressing to see him hacked up-overkill, and just like Rasputin, he didn't stay dead LOL.I am thinking of encouraging my ex husband to go and see it- he he.
ACC
- Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 01:07:15 AM (EST)
He's gone up and down (there are about ten years between S&S and SC), but compare the Perfume DVD interview or the Georgia pix from last June with the STNYC premiere interview and pix from earlier this month. Good for him--the better shape he's in, the longer and more happily he will live.
Susan
- Friday, December 28, 2007 at 07:23:04 PM (EST)
But hasn't he lost weight before? It seems to me that he looks much thinner in Snow Cake than in Sense and Sensibility.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, December 28, 2007 at 04:17:27 PM (EST)
Catherine, I'd say at least ten pounds, maybe twenty, and had a some very skillful work done on his upper eyelids.
Susan
- Friday, December 28, 2007 at 01:35:49 PM (EST)
Haven't posted for a looong while but have been a faithful reader. Since I haven't seen any discussion of this topic I'll toss this out and see what y'all think.
Looking at photos of our dear AR from the Tribeca Festival last April and comparing them to the ST opening in NYC just a short while ago - does it seem to anyone else that he has maybe lost a good 10lbs? Not that more of him to love isn't great but it just might be better for him to be lighter. Maybe it's just my eyes are shrinking!
Saw ST over the holidays and loved it (well, some parts I really did't watch-too painful)but had the same feelings as when I see HP - Not enough AR!!!
Catherine
Brooklyn, NY - Friday, December 28, 2007 at 10:02:16 AM (EST)
You're welcome, Susan!
pia susanna
- Thursday, December 27, 2007 at 05:13:31 PM (EST)
Pia Susanna, thank you for responding to my question about your tastes in writers.
Susan
- Thursday, December 27, 2007 at 11:31:30 AM (EST)
Hi, Mr. Rickman.
Well, I think I'm your new fans (I'm 29).
I noticed your act when I saw Robin Hood movie and then off course the "Harry Potter"s.
The greatest from you is you can be so funny without being funny itself! You're so mean with less words in HPs. You can bring Prof Snape alive from the book!
But I think you look so sexy in Love Actually (is it ok, if I say you're sexy?).
Good luck for your next projects.
I love your acts.
--afee--
afee <afihartolo@yahoo.comfoo>
Indonesia - Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at 01:28:05 PM (EST)
Could the twelve year old be a niece's child or so?
pia susanna
- Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at 08:31:01 AM (EST)
Color me confused. Rickman has a twelve year old?
ACC
- Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at 01:25:52 AM (EST)
Too juicy not to post--from the LA Times:
Rickman widens his comfort zone
December 25, 2007 LONDON -- Claridge's is a hotel for tourist swells, the famous, the importantly busy. The surrounding neighborhood near Grosvenor Square teems with embassies and old money.
Alan Rickman sits in a suite like he belongs. He reigns as one of England's most celebrated actors -- now appearing as Judge Turpin in the "Sweeney Todd" film musical, which opened Friday -- and he has grown into a children's icon for playing professor Severus Snape in the "Harry Potter" series.
No one will ask Rickman for his room key. Once upon a time, though, Claridge's -- in the parlance of Harry Potter -- was a hotel that shall not be named.
"I was a poor boy and the word Claridge's would be off-limits," says Rickman, a native of west London.
Not even a family visit for afternoon tea? "You stay in your patch pretty much," he says. "We'd have no reason to be here. You went where your friends were. You went where you can kick a tin round the streets. This is landed-gentry area."
Rickman, 61, concedes his horizons have expanded considerably. After forging a career notable for a small but zesty gang of baddies -- Hans Gruber in "Die Hard," the Sheriff of Nottingham in "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" and Valmont in the "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" play -- he got to sing and be sinister in "Sweeney Todd."
The issue, he insists, wasn't whether he could do it. "I think it was them having the confidence in me," he says of "Sweeney Todd" director Tim Burton and the producers. While Rickman performed in "Private Lives" onstage in New York, he was summoned uptown to sing a few notes in a tryout. He passed.
It would be easy to dismiss Judge Turpin as all bad. He banishes Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp) to an Australian prison on a trumped-up charge and steals Todd's wife and daughter. That sets the stage for Todd's revenge-fueled return to 18th century London as a barber who slits the throats of customers and donates their flesh to the meat-pie maker downstairs, Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter).
Rickman says Turpin feels pain for being romantically spurned by Sweeney's daughter, who has become the judge's ward. Whether Turpin deserves to feel pain is up to the audience.
"What's interesting about this film is, who's worst in it?" Rickman says. "It's not a beauty pageant of nice people."
Jayne Wisener, the young actress who portrays the object of Turpin's icky affection, says, "He's quite an intimidating person. I don't know whether he was staying in character or not." Said producer Richard D. Zanuck: "He brings with him devious mystery and naughtiness to the extreme. There's danger wherever he is."
In this recent interview, Rickman is friendly, dry as a Beefeater martini without vermouth. He has mussed gray hair and hazel eyes that blend nicely with his charcoal sports coat. He muses on his love of roller coasters -- "you lose all thought" -- and the fear of empty spots between acting jobs. "That's part of the thrill."
Class distinction played a part early on. He grew up in what is politely called a council estate in Acton. His father died when he was 8. He climbed a step above his family's station when he was admitted for free to a private arts school. He met his life partner, professor and politician Rima Horton, there 40 years ago and at the time thought graphic arts would be equally enduring. But poverty in his mid-20s convinced him that acting might serve him better. He won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
Posh surroundings like Claridge's became more inviting too. "As you get older your territory widens," he says. "And then probably contracts again as you go, 'OK, been there, done it; now I can get back to the places I'm really happy.' "
Many press encounters provide familiar territory as well. He could probably act them out in the shaving mirror. So you play villains? Check. And what about those villains? Double check.
Rickman said he counts maybe three or four of his characters who reside in the morally bankrupt darkness. His next movie, "Bottle Shock," about the birth of the Napa wine industry, is a departure. It will have its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January, featuring Rickman as an Englishman who hosts a wine-tasting in which the Californians defeat the French.
The actor relishes the recent dichotomy of his work: the evil of his on-screen reputation, the magic of Harry Potter, Cabernet.
"People have preconceptions about you now that they didn't back then," he says. "Now you have to try to play with people's preconceptions." Then there's the flip side of giving people -- especially young ones -- what they want.
"It's fun," he says of the Potter series, "although your eye line keeps shifting. Some years ago I was looking down at [Daniel] Radcliffe. . . . We're kind of looking each other in the eye now."
R
Night, everyone. Sleep tight., - Tuesday, December 25, 2007 at 11:26:06 PM (EST)
From the NY Post:
'Sweeney Todd': Q&A with Alan Rickman
After nearly 30 years in show business, it's surprising to learn there's something Alan Rickman hasn't done: The movie musical. That is until now. Tim Burton enlisted the genre jumping actor to portray Judge Turpin in his new film Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. No stranger to villains, Rickman plays the man responsible for putting Sweeney behind bars for 15 years on a trumped up charge so he could steal his wife and daughter.
""He's amazing, because he can be unbelievably creepy and then, in the same shot, turn his head and be super-sweet and have these puppy dog eyes,"" says costar Johnny Depp who plays Sweeney Todd in the film.
Rickman proved to be ""super sweet"" in person too when Hollywood.com met up with him in London to find out more about his first time singing on screen, his take on Tim Burton and more.
On learning to lip sync:
""Once you've kind of got it recorded then there's a big sigh of relief because you know your then just going to be miming it all day ... you couldn't do it any other way because as soon as the shot gets cut or changed and you're carrying on singing they'd never be able to match it … It would be wonderful to sing live, but also I think that if you were singing live for eight hours by the end of the day it would be a bit ragged.""
On why musicals are making a comeback:
""Well, maybe they have to find themselves again every so often. I mean, they certainly were [popular] in the '30's and the '40's and I suppose the '50's too…there weren't too many around in the '60's and the '70's. So what was that about? I suppose that like Hair and all those were looking at the '60's. Maybe that was such a kind of particular time where young people were taking over the world a bit and the musical is not often a revolutionary form. That's why it's great that this has been made now because this would never have been made in any of those other periods. So musicals somehow have to reflect what's happening. Hairspray is also looking back at a particular time, isn't it?""
On genre jumping:
""I think the thing about film is, as it gets proved by a lot of young filmmakers now, that the medium will just go on reinventing itself and so you just hope to be a part of that and not a part of some kind of endless regurgitation or 'Here I am doing what you know I do' kind of thing. Film has to be reflecting the world that we live in and that's all you want to be a part of. Actors inhabit the same planet as everyone else. It's a weird thing that happens when you're an actor because people hold you up because you somehow embody in parts groups of people or people's hopes or something. So I don't know what it must be like to be Johnny Depp.""
On film versus theater:
""You can do a play, as I have done, that's six months in London followed by six months in New York. By the end of a year of making it fresh every night that's a different kind of assault on your stamina. So making movies, there's something very refreshing that takes place when they say, 'Okay, moving on.' And you won't have to say those lines ever again and it's there forever. Whereas you can screw up onstage and go, 'Well, shit. I'll just do it in the next scene or tomorrow.' So it's a kind of checks and balances thing and I love them both for those reasons.""
On reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:
""Finally I know what the ending is. I've never known before. It's all been guess work…I was with the family [when we bought the book] and I have a little 12-year-old who's obsessed. So it wasn't necessarily ceremonious…but it was quite touching because she was allowed to go and cue up at midnight and to watch her at one o'clock in the morning wrapped up in her dressing gown--it's the power of storytelling.""
On director Tim Burton:
""He's a measurably great director. He directs with the most minimal of means. He'd come up to me after a take and just go like that (gestures with hand) and it meant, 'Yeah, but less.'""
R
Thank-you, Suzanne . . . , - Tuesday, December 25, 2007 at 11:19:39 PM (EST)
Thanks, guys. :-) Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Tuesday, December 25, 2007 at 10:07:33 AM (EST)
I find that Alan Rickman is an highly talented actor, and I think that his upcoming role in 'Sweeny Todd" will be portrayed amazingly.
De <blood_sucking_babe@hotmail.comfoo>
Australia - Tuesday, December 25, 2007 at 08:47:28 AM (EST)
Season's Greetings to everybody posting or lurking here; and especially to webmistress Suzanne, always calm, kind and efficient.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, December 24, 2007 at 08:52:30 AM (EST)
There are oodles of reviews *spurting* in . . . One more, this from SF Station--Revenge Served Cold, With a Soothing Lather:
"Alan Rickman, who guaranteed himself a lifetime of villainous turns after starring as a black-hearted terrorist in Die Hard, infuses Turpin with an almost palpable menace, providing Todd with a worthy foil."
R
No one can forget Hans, it seems, despite AR's valiant attempts to the contrary . . . , - Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 09:31:07 PM (EST)
From the LA Times--'Sweeney Todd' cuts it close:
"Alan Rickman plays the twisted Judge Turpin, and Timothy Spall appears as his repugnant henchman, the Beadle Bamford. Though Rickman is denied his lech's version of the love song "Johanna" (a shame), he's still suitably nasty -- there's something about the way he acts almost entirely through his nose that lends a perfect sinister snootiness to the part. Spall, meanwhile, does something twisty with his tongue when he sings that couldn't be more repulsive. But the supporting character who steals the show is Sweeney's first -- incidental -- victim, Signor Adolfo Pirelli (Sacha Baron Cohen), a rival barber and trouser-stuffing fake Italian who recognizes him and threatens him with blackmail."
R
Chilly Marin, - Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 09:24:51 PM (EST)
Thanks Claire, there have been some very nice clips out there lately. Thanks for the links.
fir
- Saturday, December 22, 2007 at 10:19:19 AM (EST)
20th December NPR audio of short interview Rickman Gives Voice to 'Sweeney Todd' Nemesis with Alan talking and singingcan be found here
Claire
- Friday, December 21, 2007 at 02:49:42 PM (EST)
Alan Rickman candid picture and exclusive Broadway World interview from 11th December on Sweeney Todd
Claire
- Friday, December 21, 2007 at 02:32:39 PM (EST)
I confess I was disappointed (nice way of putting it) when I learned that AR's solo in ST was, it seems, never even shot. However, upon visual consideration (which I am *ahem* still reviewing) of the substitute scene of his true nature, I feel my disappointment to be . . . lessened.
Instead of his voice, we get his h*nds. Touching books. Running his fingers along, and up and down . . .
I shall cease now, ladies, before I run afoul of the verboten.
Renie
I have Suzanne to thank for absolutely sabotaging my day with that clip!, - Friday, December 21, 2007 at 02:31:13 PM (EST)
Susan: I confess that there are rather few living writers, whether novelists or poets, whose work I admire. I believe there are few great writers in the world today. There are good/skilful ones, and famous ones. The combination skill-fame (or skill-hype) may pass for greatness. I realize that such words can't ever be used wholly objectively. I believe that the ruthless competition on the literary market is something that authors of average talent benefit from, as they can easily adapt themselves to the shifting demands of the market. Great authors, on the other hand, have normally if not always followed their own noses. Some prose writers I admire are Jane Austen, James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and Lawrence Durrell -- all, of course, deceased. I have liked Margaret Drabble a lot, and wrote a book on her once, but find her relatively late novels rather frustrating. I still think that some of her fairly early ones are beautifully crafted; they seem to have been written with joy. One example is The Waterfall, a sophisticated work both in formal and stylistic terms. Finally, there is very often a confusion of quantity and quality when people discuss literature (I don't mean here). The largest publishing houses must be the greatest. The best known writers must be the best. That kind of thing. The media often accept to play this game, interviewing authors published by, for instance, Viking/Penguin, rather than some middle-sized independent press. I regard this as wrong and unfair (and feel sure AR would agree, considering his interest in independent movies, artistically often more satisfying than blockbusters). I have been published myself by both big and relatively small publishers, and I don't think I'm speaking on my own behalf. And I'm sorry if I haven't answered your questions quite the way you expected.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, December 21, 2007 at 09:38:46 AM (EST)
Sweeney Todd came up trumps this morning in Roger Ebert's review--five stars, and a reference to "merciless" performances by AR and others. Hmmmm, interesting choice of words. *shiver*
I don't always see eye to eye with Ebert (and of course I'd go see this whatever his review had been) but he's one of the critics a lot of people read and pay attention to, so this review will certainly do no harm. I can hardly wait!
MA
- Friday, December 21, 2007 at 08:07:13 AM (EST)
I second that!!!!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, December 21, 2007 at 07:35:28 AM (EST)
P.S. Thank you Suzanne, for this AR board and this open, accepting forum. I have come to understand what exactly it takes to do this sort of thing, and thus I admire your dedication and hard work, more than I can say. Thank you very much -- and have a GREAT holiday! :-)
CareCrystal <webmistress@sycophanthex.comfoo>
- Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 05:09:54 PM (EST)
>>I disagree about young children not finding an "aroused" Snape upsetting. I think that they would find it very disturbing.<<
I emphatically, TOTALLY agree with this -- more than I can possibly say. So I am 100% on your side, to say the least. In fact, this is why Sycophant Hex (and other HP archives similarly disposed) do NOT allow people under the age of 18 to visit or post to fanfic archives, as best as is humanely possible. Simply put, we LOVE children -- and we NEED to protect them as far as as humanly possible. It's simply the RIGHT thing to do.
It must also be said that some of our younger visitors simply do not entirely understand why we insist upon this strict enforcement before they attempt to access any material on our site -- but the need is VERY real. We thoroughly understand this need, and thus we will always continue to be diligent in our efforts, in order to protect our younger, occasional visitors. This can entail a great deal of work, but we believe it is absolutely the right thing to do for everyone concerned.
:-)
CareCrystal <webmistress@sycophanthex.comfoo>
- Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 05:03:26 PM (EST)
Pia Susanna, I asked because I want to understand your standards, your tastes, where you're coming from in this discussion. I mentioned Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, and Toni Morrison as writing prose I admire enormously, and I'm interested in the living fiction writers whose prose you admire.
Susan
- Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 10:54:56 AM (EST)
kit: I didn't mean to bully you. I like the HP books, except the last one, and have myself got very involved in them, the plot and characters. There are things I really love -- Hogwarts, for instance, and details like owls bringing the mail. But I believe some tougher editing by somebody at Bloomsbury would have made the books even better.
Warmest wishes for the holidays!
pia susanna
- Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 09:22:46 AM (EST)
Susan: did you ask me this only for the sake of the context, or was it (also) a continuation of the dialogue thread?
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 09:14:04 AM (EST)
OK I just re-read my old post and I did say I liked JKR's writing! However, I guess what I meant was that I liked her style as HER style and it shouldn't be copied and presented as another person's style. I know the first books are somewhat childish, but they were aimed at children! Anyway, happy whatever to all.
kit
pa usa - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 02:45:20 PM (EST)
I never said that JKR was a wonderful writer, I just said that I thought creative people should be able to have their own style and ideas, not just copy someone elses's. I enjoyed that HP books very much, but I know it is not the very finest writing as judged by writing experts. I like the stories and people in them. As long as the editing is good and the story moves, I enjoy most books. Books with bad editing (word misuse, misspellings, bad punctuation, and plots that I can't follow because the editor forgot that "Mary" on page 15 was "Ethel" on page 2) will get a my red pencil treatment and often a letter to the publisher! I don't mind the "said" business too much because it is easy to get lost in convoluted sentances. (writer and reader). I hope everyone has a nice holiday and enjoys watching "Die Hard" for the 37th time, as is IS usually shown around this time of year (HOHOHO.
kit
pa usa - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 02:39:12 PM (EST)
Slate magazine has done a list of "overlooked" holiday movies---and right at the top of the list is Die Hard. I especially liked this segment:
"Hans Gruber, played by the pre-Snape Alan Rickman . . . shows up at the Nakatomi building as a kind of anti-Santa Claus, with a band of long-haired blond German elves."
Ah, Hans, it just isn't a holiday without you.
The rest of the article/list can be found here:
http://www.slate.com/id/2179936/
MA---"If this is their idea of Christmas . . ." ;-)
- Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 08:39:22 PM (EST)
Renie - Oh, good. Although, the idea of AR and JD sharing the screen makes me twitch. I won't know where to look! :)
~smoke
- Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 08:23:46 PM (EST)
Pia Susanna, to put this discussion in context, could you tell us three or four contemporary authors of fiction whose prose you admire? Thanks--
Susan
- Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 05:47:28 PM (EST)
Dear Vera: Sorry, but I still don't see eye to eye with you. I don't agree that the verb "said" is more than enough in a dialogue (except in drama, of course, where one dispenses with such things). As I've said, I see variation of dialogue verbs in fiction as essential to avoid stylistic monotony, if there are to be any verbs at all, which isn't always necessary. Only in drama, including film scripts, does the direct speech do all the work. Better perhaps accept that there are different opinions here?
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 04:56:25 PM (EST)
wow it chopped off my "e". cool.
Renie
*drying off*, - Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 02:08:00 PM (EST)
smoke, well, he still will sing the duet of "Pretty Women" with Depp. But, no solo of Johanna for our Judge in the film version.
Reni
soaking wet with rain, - Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 02:07:18 PM (EST)
When I talked about the dialogue, I meant the dialogue. I didn't mean that actions and descriptions were unneccessary in a story or novel. But if two or more people speak with each other, in most cases the verb "said" is more than enough. Adverbs like "cheerfully", by the way, are in no way better than a variation of dialogue verbs. One should put words in the character's mouth that make clear that he is cheerful, instead.
Vera
- Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 09:26:44 AM (EST)
Yes, of course, Smoke! And many other things could, obliquely, indicate what's going on -- descriptions of the weather, how the light falls; somebody's memories; something symbolic -- say, a china figure on a shelf . . . the possibilities are endless. And this is one reason why I can't accept that the dialogue "as such" (that is, the direct speech) is the most important thing. Everything on a page of text in a novel or short story is important, and not only what is explicitly stated by any character. There is also the function of the narrator to consider -- is he/she to be identified with the author or not? Is he/she reliable or not? The "unreliable narrator" is a rather interesting device. What the narrator lets you know is usually far more than what the characters say. Also, a lot may be implied, also by the narrator "as such" (that is, the text apart from the dialogue).
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 08:23:07 AM (EST)
Renie - They've cut AR's only song? The creeps! Hopefully it will make "deleted scenes" on the DVD!
Another way of doing dialog is to describe the body language instead of using voice descriptors. For example:
"Did you paint the cat green?" Molly put her hands on her hips.
Ron looked out the window, unable to meet her eyes. "Of course not."
~smoke
- Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 08:01:23 AM (EST)
Susan: if you permit other verbs than "said", you'll at least get a lot more variation and more nuances. As you say, or perhaps imply, it's of course also possible to dispense with "dialogue verbs" altogether,if it's quite clear who says what. Also very well known writers sometimes do the he said - she said - he said - she said thing, and I can only deplore it. To me, this is simply wooden, monotonous, and it becomes predictable. A sort of half-way house is to add an adverb, thus: "Welcome, she said cheerfully"; or "No way! he said in a low voice" -- that kind of thing. I can't accept that instances of direct speech necessarily matter more than the rest of the text. In drama, this is of course so (though even there, playwrights may add directions such as "(in a whisper)"), but not in novels or short stories.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Monday, December 17, 2007 at 05:06:27 PM (EST)
Oh, I should mention that article also contains a photo of AR. (Click to enlarge).
On the topic of dialogue, it's a tool for any writer. One of many. Used well and wisely, it enlightens, stings, amuses, obfuscates . . . character(s), a plot line, a theme, or even the author or the reader. But it's not all or nothing. It can be effective, if it renders the intention, depending on how and when you use it.
R
- Monday, December 17, 2007 at 12:54:42 PM (EST)
What happens after you run out of "asked," "exclaimed," "whimpered," "whined," "shouted," "cried," "mourned," "whispered"--"pronounced"? "propounded"? "expostulated"? "declaimed"? I pulled out a copy of a book by the wonderful Alice Munro: page one--three "saids," two remarks that aren't overtly identified because they don't need to be. A book by Margaret Atwood: page one--three "saids." Toni Morrison: pages one and two--six "saids," one "answered," three remarks that don't need identification.
Susan
- Monday, December 17, 2007 at 12:39:39 PM (EST)
Sondheim, in the Sunday Dec 16 2007 NY Times Arts & Leisure Section, confirms that the Judge's version of the song Johanna has not been included in the film adaptation.
Excerpt: "Mr. Sondheim not only approved every change, as his contract required, but also did the musical reworking himself. Though he was at first shocked by the suggested elimination of “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd,” Mr. Sondheim said that when he put on his “movie-buff hat,” he “completely agreed,” because it would keep holding up the action. The loss of the Judge’s version of “Johanna” - part of a brilliantly conceived triptych of “Johanna” numbers that look at the girl from various perspectives - was more troubling. It is the only time the Judge is characterized in song. (Below left, the Judge and Johanna in the 2002 Kennedy Center production.) But Mr. Logan had written a new scene that covered similar material visually. (The Judge, played by Alan Rickman, above left, fondles albums of exotic pornography.) So out it went. Did Mr. Sondheim not mind so much butchery of his score?"
“Come on, you’ve got to be ruthless. I learned that from Oscar Hammerstein. He and Richard Rodgers cut their big hit song out of ‘Oklahoma!’ because it interfered with the storytelling. A song like ‘Kiss Me’ has its delights onstage if it’s played well, because it’s funny and silly, and I’ve always meant it to be suspenseful, because you worry if the Judge is going to discover the lovers. But that’s just not how the sequence in the movie is written, and if you don’t have that, then you’re stuck in the parlor with the lovers singing and singing and singing and singing and - nothing. So there’s no point. Now, if I had my druthers, would I put the Judge’s song back in? Yes, but it might hold the story up. And anybody who wants to know what the whole thing sounds like can still listen to the record of the show.”
Renie
:-(, - Monday, December 17, 2007 at 12:34:05 PM (EST)
Yes, Vera, many writers do dialogue this way, and I think it's a pity! But maybe we'd better accept that there are two different schools, or camps, re this matter.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Monday, December 17, 2007 at 09:14:48 AM (EST)
My creative writing teacher told us the exact opposite, and I definitely prefer it this way. It's also the way most authors I read do it.
Vera
- Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 12:31:06 PM (EST)
Ah, thanks pia susanna - looks like far from a done deal when he says he "thinks" he's going to be working with Lasse Hallstrom in the summer.
Joanie <countton@comcast.netfoo>
- Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 09:39:40 AM (EST)
Joanie: This is mentioned in an interview posted in at least two places on the net, Dark Horizons and Filmmonthly. At least I think it's the same text, more or less.
Vera: Sorry, but I can't agree. I'm a creative writer, and I've taught creative writing. I always warned my students against the "he said-she said" kind of dialogue. It isn't only direct speech (in a novel or story) that conveys mood, emotions, and so forth, but the whole text. And JKR's style has improved; for instance, she varies her dialogue verbs more in her later HP books, compared to the early ones.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 09:24:22 AM (EST)
Have any of you heard/read Alan saying he was planning to do a movie with Lasse Hallstrom that starts shooting in the Summer of '08? I know that Hallstrom is re-making a French movie called "Anthony Zimmer" scheduled for '09 release, but so far there is no announcement regarding Alan Rickman being in it.
Joanie <countton@comcast.netfoo>
- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 11:30:28 PM (EST)
Actually, dialogues of the he said-she said-he said-she said kind are a sign of good writing, because it's the dialogue that's meant to convey the plot and the feelings, not the verbs.
Vera
- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 03:44:03 PM (EST)
kit: I understand you, in a way, but Susan has a point. People have always liked prequels, sequels, allusions, and alternative versions. This is legitimate, surely. Already in antiquity, there were sequels to Homer's Odyssey. And if you, kit, mean JKR's prose style when you mention her writing, I must say I disagree. Especially in the first HP books, the style is rather wooden, with too many mouth-watering meals and ear-splitting noises. Also, there are dialogues of the he said-she said-he said-she said kind. I mean that no other verb, or very few other verbs, is/are used in those early dialogues. Admittedly, JKR's style has become a little better. One learns by doing, I suppose.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 12:37:44 PM (EST)
It makes me sad to think of a child being exposed to violence or explicit sex at a young age-I don't know how to quantify which is the lesser evil-I did lead a sheltered life and didn't really know much until I was old enough to sort it out for myself. I suppose in a society where Hugh Hefner's girlfriends are seen as "role models" the standards are pretty low, so anything goes....sigh
ACC
- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 02:34:13 AM (EST)
Artistic originality only came to be considered a virtue in the early 1800s during the Romantic period. Shakespeare, for example, built his stories out of established plots that had been used and reused for centuries, in some cases. All art is thoroughly grounded in what came before.
Susan
- Friday, December 14, 2007 at 10:12:49 PM (EST)
I'm not a fan fiction fan at all. So many of these people are gifted writers (I know some); why can't they write their own stories with thier own characters? What I enjoy most about the Rowling writing is the writing. I don't always like the way the story goes, or endings, but the wrting and the adventure are good. Good writers need to create their own worlds, like she did. To re-write another's work is as bad as Beethoven with a techno beat, tasteless. (my opinion that I am allowed to have)
kit
pa usa - Friday, December 14, 2007 at 02:32:12 PM (EST)
ACC: Er, I'm not sure about the "Unlike you". This was how I interpreted your message.
pia susanna
- Friday, December 14, 2007 at 09:18:14 AM (EST)
ACC: Yes, AR, or people representing him, could probably sue anybody who used a photo of him like that. Unlike you, I grew up in pseudo-liberal, pseudo-progressive circles, so this may be why I don't feel terribly shocked. And I still believe that images of violence must be worse for children, or indeed anybody.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, December 14, 2007 at 09:15:33 AM (EST)
Smoke: Yes, I think you're quite right. But I never saw SS as a "bad boy", myself. A deplorable teacher, of course!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, December 14, 2007 at 09:08:59 AM (EST)
I disagree about young children not finding an "aroused" Snape upsetting. I think that they would find it very disturbing. I would find it very disconcerting too as I grew up in an era where it was not done in a public forum, or considered mainstream.-If the character had Alan Rickman's face on it, I think he would probably find it disturbing also. I should think that he has some jurisdiction over his face and how it is used, doesn't he?
ACC
- Friday, December 14, 2007 at 12:59:52 AM (EST)
JKR once referred to Snape as a "thoroughly unpleasant person" or something similar. Thing is, a lot of fans see the image created by AR (and the wardrobe department) and just have to disagree. (JKR has also said that she thinks some people are confusing AR with Snape.) Also, AR has, for years, been living with the fascination people have for his "bad-boy" characters: Gruber, the Sheriff, and now Snape. He, at least, is well aware of the attraction women have with bad-boys - even if he doesn't completely understand it!
~smoke
- Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 06:33:20 PM (EST)
PS: Smoke: I also found it interesting that you think that, while JKR may not understand SS's appeal, AR probably does.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 05:29:04 PM (EST)
Susan: Didn't know about those rules. Yes, it's a great pity about SC! Also, I thought that Academy Awards were in recognition of merit alone; I knew nothing about those expensive campaigns. I suppose I'm very ignorant!
Smoke: Thanks for explaining about House MD. And I agree, basically, about SS. I believe that most fans see him as a cross between JKR's SS and AR's interpretation. AR follows JKR closely, but adds something of his own -- a certain style and elegance, as well as, yes, intended or not, some sex appeal. I don't find the question of how old either SS is particularly relevant. It seems to me that we live in a society obsessive about time and age.
And Dottee: I see eye to eye with you, but I don't think children would drop dead from discovering a picture such as that which you describe. Violence in fiction (I don't mean fan fiction) and films is, as I see it, a greater problem. And, incidentally, I believe that the HP books are partly far too gruesome for children.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 05:23:05 PM (EST)
Dottee - *waves back* Oh, I knew you weren't talking about me, 'cause I'm not a psycho. *hee* At least, not too bad of a one. While JKR may not understand Snape's appeal as an object of desire, I think AR does. Let's face it, AR's abilities as an actor, his grace, and his voice have a lot to do with it. But, as CareCrystal pointed out, the fantasies aren't about a sixty year old actor, but a 35 year old Dark Man of Mystery. OK, not as much mystery now as there was, but still. I think a lot of the fantasies are, like some of the pics you've seen, "photo-shopped" versions of Snape. Part JKR's description, part AR, and (a large) part the writers imagination. The issue of adult content in the Harry Potter world is a big one, because, as you say, the fans span pretty much all ages. A lot of sites warn, double warn, and make you assert your age before you can access them, but some are not so fussy. And, of course, sometimes minors *gasp* lie.
The Internet is an awesome tool, but the way some parents handle it makes me think of handing a kid a half loaded gun and saying, "Here, play all you want - 'point and click' to your heart's content - as long as the chamber is empty. Just don't turn the cylinder to a loaded chamber and 'click,' K?" ... And then walking away.
~smoke
- Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 04:24:46 PM (EST)
Rickman says ST is "not crap".
More options here
Julia
Canada - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 03:19:15 PM (EST)
Wave to Smoke, and my apology if you thought that my psycho-chick comment was directed at you. No, I am in complete agreement with your post. I have read a number of fan fics, and there are truly some amazing writers out there just waiting to be discovered. But at the same time, I have wandered onto sites, innocently, to find good fan fic, and have been assaulted with pictures of Snape/Rickman, photoshopped onto a naked male body displaying a full erection. I think that AR might even find some humor in this since he has never claimed to be a virgin or a saint, if it weren't for the fact that children are the ones who most often surf HP sites. I think that all of the people who are associated with the creation of the HP characters are committed to making a story and film that can be enjoyed by all ages, but especially by children and young adults. And I certainly cannot blame them for taking offense when these kind of things occur. But then, it takes all kinds to make a world. :(
Dottee
- Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 02:05:19 PM (EST)
House MD is a TV medical mystery show starring Hugh Laurie as a crabby, snarky, sarcastic, brilliant doctor. His character is reminiscent of a certain potion master, though he isn't fighting the forces of evil. Well, except for his boss and the hospital board. Hugh Laurie is incredible - if for no other reason than that his American accent never slips.
~smoke
- Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 07:00:24 PM (EST)
House MD?
pia susanna
- Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 05:46:43 PM (EST)
*waves madly to CareCrystal* Haven't posted here for ages, and as the "Quick guide to formatting your post" link doesn't work, I may end up with a post that is one lump of a paragraph and full of HTML. Let's hope not.
Kate, NYC. - It's not lingo to a specific generation or socio-economic group, believe me, but rather an interest group. There are young teens out there writing fanfiction - hopefully the less racy kind - but there are also grandmothers, doctors, lawyers, and convenient store clerks. Some of the finest things I've read have been in the realm of fanfiction, and one can only wonder why these people don't write professionally. Not that some of them don't!
As Care said, there is a something for everyone: marauder era fic, missing scenes, alternate endings, cross-overs (Snape meets House MD) and AU, or alternate universe, i.e. Snape is a computer programmer. (The challenge of AU is to take our characters out of the Harry Potter universe and still keep them instantly recognizable.) And there is the "porn", although that is, as all things are, a matter of definition. Some of us writers and readers prefer to think of it as erotica, allllthoughhhh, there is some stuff that is just... porn. :)
Most people that I know shy away from "real people" fic. As Care said, these stories are about the characters of the HP universe, not the actors who portray them. Although, I must say that one characteristic the Snape of fanfiction almost always has, is a remarkable voice. I'm not saying "real people fic" isn't out there, it is, but that is not the bulk of it, nor is it any part of the conventions. The conventions deal with topics such as religion in the HP universe, using HP to teach at a grade school/high school/university level, drawing, creative writing, and of course, character analysis
And we aren't psycho chicks. Mostly. No, really.
(I did do a bit of a double-take when that interview referred to ST as a "slasher" musical, but....)
~smoke
- Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 12:31:26 PM (EST)
“Fanfiction” is amateur fiction written in honor of a fictional character - such as the characters in the Harry Potter novels. Fanfiction per se really has nothing to do with Alan Rickman himself, and most often is neither racy nor pornographic in nature.
However, fans who too closely identify with the fictional characters (and by extension, the actors who portray them in movies) can get carried away from time to time. This is very rare from my perspective - although arguably even once could be regarded as too often from his perspective. If that confusion actually does happen, who could blame him for feeling this way?
In fact, I guess this is what prompted Alan Rickman’s comments regarding fanfiction writers/convention goers. I empathize with any discomfort this activity causes him, even though I sincerely think it’s absolutely in no way intended by the vast majority of writers of fanfiction.
I do admire Alan’s work, and I would like to give my sincere thanks to both Suzanne and the regular visitors of this board for allowing me to express my personal opinions. I greatly appreciate the restraint and tolerance shown in reaction to my post, and I think it speaks well of Alan’s fans in general.
CareCrystal <webmistress@sycophanthex.comfoo>
- Monday, December 10, 2007 at 03:55:25 PM (EST)
There is a new video interview with Alan Rickman here at ReelTalk Enjoy :-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Sunday, December 09, 2007 at 07:01:55 AM (EST)
Thank you MA...
I am not of the generation..so I don't know all the lingo sometimes
Kate
NYC, - Saturday, December 08, 2007 at 06:18:05 PM (EST)
I, too, was hoping for Oscar nominations for Snowcake--for both SW and AR--but the Academy's rules say the film has to play in a commercial theater in LA for at least one week during the year for which it's nominated. Snowcake was never in release in the USA, so it was never eligible. Such a shame. (Of course, it's estimated that it costs a studio 20 million dollars to mount a campaign for a top Oscar, and Snowcake never had a dime.)
Susan
- Friday, December 07, 2007 at 12:47:52 PM (EST)
Susan: this refers to your post of 21 Nov. -- sorry to be so late. I asked about Snow Cake, because I'd asked the same question (about Academy Awards) last year, and somebody replied that there would be no release of that film till 2007. Becasue of the context, I assumed this referred to the theatrical release. So I kept hoping that AR, or SW, would win something. In this context Rain Man was mentioned -- don't know exactly where; maybe here. Some found Snow Cake superior to that.
And why didn't they think that AR would like to play SS?
Ali-Pat (also 21 Nov.): Really funny about Roth not minding dressing up as a monkey (if I didn't get you wrong), but appearing as Snape was out of the question..
Dottee: Are you still there? This, too, refers to 21 Nov. I've read about many AR fans who have been inspired to alter their lives in a very positive sense, physically or otherwise. You're not alone!
Sheena: Thanks for the transcript (27 Nov.); an interesting interview; and for the fine pix.
As for the "porn" stuff, I suspect AR had been misinformed, or perhaps jumped to conclusions. And I'm sure he knows that most of his admirers are serious, intelligent, and no weirdos at all. Others here have made similar points.
CareCrystal: I feel sorry for you; to be misunderstood, I mean.
And Greta: Thanks for the detailed Variety review. Clearly a well informed critic. "deliciously sinister" (I quote from memory) is so apt!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, December 07, 2007 at 09:16:26 AM (EST)
Kate--fan fiction is work written by fans of a particular book series, TV series, etc. that goes beyond the parameters established in that series. For instance, there's Harry Potter fan fiction of all sorts, dealing with the characters after they grow up, with minor characters that we don't see much of "in canon," with romances between characters and so forth.
Sometimes fan fiction provides "missing scenes"---if you've read Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility you know it's easy to miss the fact that a duel took place between two of the male characters, but fan stories have been written depicting the duel.
Sometimes fans love a story or show but don't like the way it ends and so they write an alternative ending or send the story down a different path, just to see "what if." What if Jo March had married Teddy Laurence? What if Inspector Javert had accepted forgiveness from Jean Valjean?
Our fan fiction "next door" at Flights of Fancy is a bit different, but the principle is the same; we enjoy AR's different characters and so we've created a world they all can inhabit and interact beyond the bounds of the stories in which they appear. And you'll notice that Suzanne has wisely(!) posted a "No Porn" tag. Mr. Rickman has nothing to fear from our fan fiction . . . well, most of the time, anyway. ;-) Hope that makes it a bit clearer.
MA
- Friday, December 07, 2007 at 07:47:16 AM (EST)
Can someone please explain to me what "fanfiction" is? What does it have to do with pornography?
Kate
NYC, NY - Friday, December 07, 2007 at 02:01:17 AM (EST)
The description of Hans Gruber at Solo Flights (for Flights of Fancy):
"Hans Anton Nietzche Dellbrook Gruber. A man who targets what he wants--and gets it. Drop dead handsome. Classically educated, he is as smart as the custom-made suits he wears. Methodical, meticulously groomed, and irresistible to some women. Deadly caresses are among his weapons."
From HPANA, The description of AR's "sexiest moment" in Empire's 100 Sexiest Actors:
"Ambtiious, well-dressed, classically educated--if he weren't pure evil, Die Hard's Hans Gruber would be great boyfriend material."
Renie :-) ( know this isn't "news" Georgiana...)
He'll do just the way he is . . . , - Friday, December 07, 2007 at 01:21:44 AM (EST)
The reviews are trickling in, and they're not all good: Yahoo! Entertainment calls ST a disappointment
Julia
Canada - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 at 10:59:07 AM (EST)
I found this excellent review of "Sweeney Todd" someone posted on the imdb. I am so sad I won't be in New York at the time it will open up. But I will see it as soon as possible.
Variety
Greta <lotsalolly@hotmail.comfoo>
- Tuesday, December 04, 2007 at 09:05:19 PM (EST)
QUESTION: ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THE SEX SYMBOL STATUS THAT'S COME ALONG WITH THAT BECAUSE THERE'VE BEEN BLOG GROUPS OF WOMEN TALKING ABOUT YOU IN THAT SENSE? RICKMAN: The world is weird. This is the thing. This is why 'Sweeney Todd' has only ever been relevant because there are apparently - I haven't looked - websites now where grown, mostly women, write porn and putting those characters together. So, 'Sweeney Todd' is a smallfry to the idea of that going on and this isn't even being done covertly. They have conventions and things.
QUESTION: HAVE YOU HAD ANY STRANGE ENCOUNTERS WITH THOSE FANS OR NOT? RICKMAN: I think that every actor has.
QUESTION: CAN YOU TALK ABOUT IT OR NOT? RICKMAN: No. I don't want to encourage it.
Though I have not visited this site literally in years, I would like to post a response to the above. I believe that Alan Rickman’s representatives review this site, and I hope that they will pass the following on to him. Though this is not a fan posting, I therefore respectfully request that this post not be deleted.
I appreciate Mr. Rickman’s viewpoint regarding fan fiction; frankly, from his viewpoint, it has all got to be a little strange. I have no problem with that, and in fact can genuinely appreciate his perspective. At the same time, I would simply like to remind him that:
People who write Harry Potter fan fiction are NOT writing about Mr. Rickman. They are writing about J.K. Rowling’s character Snape, who unlike Mr. Rickman is not an actor in his 60's but a much younger professor in his 30's. This is important, for fan fiction writers are very much aware of the difference and carefully base their work on this obvious fact. To presume otherwise is to assume a level of personal interest in Mr. Rickman that simply does not exist.
People who write fan fiction are real people, just like him. These writers have formed a creative community, and have developed genuine, long-term friendships as a result. The motivation of these writers is not to merely create “porn,” contrary to what Mr. Rickman supposes (“porn” being an interesting term to use, since he admits he has never even seen the material. Strangely, it almost reminds one of, say, a fundamentalist preacher who mislabels an Alan Rickman movie such as “Dogma” as blasphemous, sight unseen.)
His throwaway comment of “They have conventions and things” is particularly irksome. As a person who has helped to organize one of these major events, I know something he clearly doesn’t: These are not “porn” conventions but rather are non-profit, academic gatherings that take a tremendous effort to put together, both on the part of the organizers and academics involved. I wonder how members of academia who participate in such gatherings would feel upon hearing his statement? He has been partners with a member of academia for years. How would he and his partner feel, if she were likewise casually dismissed by an actor in this way?
Finally, these writers and academics, almost to a person, have never met Mr. Rickman, nor are they the least bit inclined to do so. I do empathize with any unpleasant encounters he has had with fanatics, for I believe it is an altogether unnecessary burden upon Hollywood celebrities. But the people who write fan fiction and participate in conventions are, with almost no exceptions, simply not the ones creating these unpleasant encounters. To assume or imply that the contrary is the case is thoughtless, inaccurate and unfair.
CareCrystal
CareCrystal <webmistress@sycophanthex.comfoo>
- Tuesday, December 04, 2007 at 12:16:17 PM (EST)
Here are more photos from last night.
If the link doesn't bring up Alan Rickman just go to the site home page and do a search :-) Newscom you have to follow the instructions to log in as a guest before you can do a search :-) Enjoy
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Tuesday, December 04, 2007 at 08:20:05 AM (EST)
Via The Leaky Cauldron: Rickman donates HP stuff to charity.
Julia
Canada - Monday, December 03, 2007 at 11:51:41 PM (EST)
WireImage have new pictures of Alan Rickman from last week's Sweeney Todd Press Junket Enjoy :-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Monday, December 03, 2007 at 09:43:56 AM (EST)
Just to update you on the clips floating around for Sweeney Todd. You will find six new hi-res ones (different to the nine clips from the IESB and Johnny Depp Reads Forum) here at Coming Soon most of them downloadable. There are spoilers so be warned. A couple there with Alan Rickman in, including "Thrill" be warned that one does contain a spoiler for those who don't know the story.
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Saturday, December 01, 2007 at 07:29:00 AM (EST)
I am enjoying the new "ST" postings, both here and to the web. The "Behind the Scenes 2" video has the duet with Mr. Rickman and Johnny Depp that AR promised us when he announced he'd be doing this film. It is quite fine, although, alas, in Depp's vocal range, not Rickman's. Quite fun to watch! And Mr. Rickman is mesmerizing in the "gandering" video clip up at the dedicated web site. Delicious!
Georgiana
Seattle - Thursday, November 29, 2007 at 07:42:16 PM (EST)
Thanks Aussie...*waving back!*...I completely agree with your sentiments. Anyone who reads the majority of the AR fan sites (although by his admission, he doesn't) will quickly understand that his fans aren't kooks or freaks, but rather loyal devoted followers of his work. I think we are discerning consumers who demand a higher quality in a product and we enjoy his films because he consistently delivers to our standards. I personally enjoy attending these fan sites from time to time to share my enjoyment of AR's latest project or to add a comment about a film or audio from the archives that I feel others might enjoy. And I certainly won't deny that I am attracted to the fact that he has a sexual charisma that comes across regardless of the characters he plays. I think that is both intentional and unintentional on his part. As in real life, certain men just know how to flirt with style, and that is very appealing because it has to be done with intelligence. It's a shame that he has been made to be embarrassed by some of his female fans, and by extension, us as well. Puts us all in a bad light. I think that I will continue enjoying his work, but in the future I'll keep it to myself.
Dottee
- Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 09:25:20 AM (EST)
*waves to dottee*
I enjoy reading Harry Potter fanfic and have always considered myself to be "normal". I've also appreciated Alan's talent and outstanding work. I certainly don't consider myself to be a "psycho chick" and there are plenty of others like me.
Aussie
- Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 01:08:14 AM (EST)
Interesting interview, chocked full of good new info on his future projects. Thank you for sharing! I sincerely hope that he doesn't think that all of us are 'grown women who write and attend porn conventions' though. Ugh. That gives me the shivers. Wish he had mentioned that the majority of his fans are normal people (who have followed his career because we appreciate his talent and outstanding work). I hate to feel like I'm being lumped in with a few psycho chicks out there!
dottee
- Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 10:45:33 PM (EST)
There is now a transcript of the latest interview with Alan Rickman at the IMDB for those of you who can't read the IMDB boards and don't want to join there you can also see it here on LiveJournal He gives info about release of Nobel Son & Bottle Shock as well as when he starts on the next HP film and more, enjoy :-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
- Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 11:26:03 AM (EST)
The link posted yesterday to the IESB interview has now updated with clips from the film and they have more clips coming soon. Check it out IESB Interview and clips enjoy :-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 07:09:52 AM (EST)
Yippee today seems to be a day I can post. Thank you Vera for posting that for me yesterday.
I bring glad tidings, the podcast from musicaltalk is up already. For those who don't read at other places, a man called Nick Hutson was at the press junket for MusicalTalk. He has posted on the Sweeney Todd board at the IMDB that they have the podcast up now. Not listened yet myself but here it is Press Junket Podcast Thank you to Nick Hutson for sharing it so quickly.
Thank you for everything Suzanne, you do a great job.
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 06:07:52 AM (EST)
Okay, sorry for the slight delay. Here are a couple of Windows Media files, but if you'd like any other versions, please ask. Believe me, if I can make it, it's yours.
TV spot 1 (3.39 MB, ST-TVspot-chair-11-24-07.wmv)
TV spot 2 (3.58 MB, ST-TVspot-smile-11-24-07.wmv)
(right click and choose "Save as" or "Save Target As)
And I was wrong, AR doesn't say anything in these clips. I saw "the Judge" and his gavel, and my memory played tricks on me from a previous clip. Speaking of, I did make a sound file from the first trailer:
May the Lord have mercy on your soul (46 kb, ST-mercy.wav)
:-)
Thanks, Sheena, for the press conference info (and Vera for posting)! According to the article, full transcripts will be coming soon. Can't wait!
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Monday, November 26, 2007 at 11:52:17 PM (EST)
Heh. I cringe to consider how Rickman found out about the Potter porn franchise.
I doubt he's referring to the fanfiction!!
Julia
Canada - Monday, November 26, 2007 at 11:18:13 PM (EST)
I'm posting this for Sheena, because she has trouble with posting here.
This is taken from the Sweeney Todd Press Junket - IESB Interview which took place in London on Monday 26th November.
Relevant bit from the interview, well for all the Alan Rickman fans:
Although reticent to discuss Harry Potter, Alan Rickman laughed about the recent rumor of a JK Rowling inspired musical; “who is shoving that around?” He further informed the IESB that there is an online porn version of the franchise making the rounds. (Harry Pooter is my vote for the title)With a slasher musical like Sweeney Todd, it’s going to be interesting to see how the film fares in terms of Yule-tide competition at the box office.
Rickman commented, “it is the jolly Christmas option” for punters. He has two independent films due for release in January - “Bottle Shock” and “Nobel Son”.
Vera
- Monday, November 26, 2007 at 07:02:35 PM (EST)
Thanks so much, Julia, for link to the Sweeney Todd CW video! It definitely looks like those interviews were filmed on the set. Anyway, I know a lot of you like to save videos on your computer (as do I) to watch over and over to your heart's content, so I downloaded and converted the video to three different formats: Window's Media (16.1 MB, ST-CW-BTS-11-24-07.wmv), MPEG-4 (12.9 MB, ST-CW-bts-11-24-07.mp4), and QuickTime (22.8 MB, ST-CW-bts-11-24-07.mov).
(right click and choose "Save as" or "Save Target As...)
If there are any other formats to you would like, just let me know. One thing about the QuickTime file; although it seemed to convert fine, I cannot play QuickTime files on my computer for some odd reason, so I could not test it. So, to the Mac users out there, could you please downloaded and watch it to let me know if it works?
Also, last night I caught a couple of great Sweeney Todd ads on the BBC America channel (during Torchwood)! Short (about 30 seconds each), but they showed AR a few times in a couple of shots I haven't seen before. And a little more singing than I've heard before (though AR doesn't say anything except "May the Lord have mercy on your soul," which we've heard before). I'll post them when they are finished uploading.
Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful news, articles, photos, videos, etc.! Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 08:47:09 PM (EST)
Pia Susanna, yes Alan Rickman is still going to sing in Sweeney Todd. As for your other question I suspect it is on the set of the film or in a hotel as they seldom conduct those sorts of things in the star's own home. ;-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 12:49:56 PM (EST)
Julia: thanks for the video! If I see Sweeney Todd, it will be because of AR. Can one still expect him to sing in it -- do you know? In an interview about a year ago, he said he'd sing a duet with JD. Yes, AR looks great in this video, also as the relatively old Judge; I suppose many years pass before Sweeney gets even with him. I always liked AR's hair, no matter what colour it has at the moment. Whose bookcases do you think we glimpse behind him -- not his own, surely? Is he really behind the scenes?
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 08:27:24 AM (EST)
Have you guys seen this? It's the behind-the-scenes special on the CW network for Sweeney Todd, and it features AR both in the movie and talking about the movie - lovely longish gray hair!
Julia
Canada - Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 03:31:51 AM (EST)
Thank you Ali-Pat! And a happy turkey day to you to! I don't have to drive anywhere, so the danger in my house lurks on the dining room table. :) But, and this will sound strange to you, Alan inspires me to eat right and work out, because we are the same age and he looks so great...and I'm certain that he also commits to staying in shape for his roles and for his fans. So when I'm in yoga class with my muscles screaming in pain, I'm thinking of him doing the same!
Dottee
- Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 05:41:30 PM (EST)
The story I heard about Tim Roth and the Snape role is that he turned it down because he didn't relish wearing the wig and costume. Then, of course, he went on to a role in the remake of Planet of the Apes. :o)
Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow for all who celebrate. Let's all be careful out there on the highways, okay?
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 04:33:40 PM (EST)
1) AR attempted various American accents in Die Hard, StLM, Judas Kiss, King of the Hill, and Bob Roberts, as well as Dark Harbor. 2) Snowcake had no theatrical release in the USA as far as I know, and thus was not eligible for last year's Academy Awards, much less this year's. 3) It was intended that AR sing in Sweeney Todd, and he took singing lessons. 4) I read that they asked Tim Roth to play Snape before asking AR (Roth turned them down due to another commitment) because they thought AR wouldn't accept the role. JKR had a great deal of control over the casting, as she does over all things HP-related.
Susan
- Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 02:14:56 PM (EST)
hanks for the welcome, Suzanne! Glad to hear that Sweeney Todd may be up for some Oscars. Some say that Alan could be a dark horse for supporting as well. But I've also read that because of his strong political views and some of his work (namely MNIRC) he might get snubbed now and in the future. I don't think that this would bother AR...he is obiously committed to his personal beliefs and integrity...but it sure would p.o. a lot of his fans.
Yes, I taught for a number of years at the collegiate level and I assure you that in this country anything involving Israel is a touchy subject. I don't know about the leftcoast (I.e. California), but I can see where that could hurt him. Its rather appalling really, since a person should be judged by the quality of the craft rather than their political views.
Dottee
- Friday, November 02, 2007 at 05:11:01 PM (EDT)
Kate
NYC, - Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 01:57:45 PM (EST)
Happy holidays everyone!
I wonder if they will make AR sing....
I think Johnny Depp was in a band, so I'm not surprised there.
I finally got around to seeing that-please don't hit me- abysmal movie Dark Harbor. I can see the appeal of it on paper, but poor AR. They made him speak AMERICAN?!? What is this world coming to?
kate
NYC, - Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 01:51:05 PM (EST)
Sheena, thanks for this. I must say, though, that I was rather shocked to find some really ghastly "comments" on myspacetv.com. Have you seen them? I don't know if they're the same everywhere, though.Wish somebody would clean this up. Apart from everything else, at least one "comment" seems close to paedophilia. And I realize that this is beside the point, in a way.
Also, does anybody know if Snow Cake has been mentioned at all in Oscar contexts? Wasn't the film released in the US this year? If AR won something for Sweeney Todd, it would be nice, of course.
And now a bit of trivial pursuits again. I've read that J.K.Rowling suggested that AR would play Severus Snape -- with what magnificent results we all know. And it seems she had (probably still has)a lot of influence on the casting. So why was Tim Roth considered at all?
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 09:42:51 AM (EST)
You're welcome Dottee, glad to have helped clear up the confusion.
Thank you to Sheffe for posting for me, seems the server this site is on is speaking to my service provider today, wonder how long that will last. :-)
They have more clips from "Sweeney Todd" on the Official MySpace site for the film. Alan Rickman is only in the trailer and TV spot, but worth keeping an eye on.
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 03:53:24 PM (EST)
Sorry for any part I played in the confusion! I remembered that the quote in Sheena's sig file came from an interview so when I repaired the formatting I gave each statement its own line. I had no idea how much trouble that would cause! Again, sorry I am.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 03:47:32 PM (EST)
Thank you everyone for clearing up my confusion (although a small part of me may still like the other version better...). However, I'm certain that AR wouldn't be pleased to have his words twisted, so you are kind to take the trouble to untangle this puzzle. :)
Dottee
- Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 01:40:08 PM (EST)
I apologize to everyone for the confusion caused by my inadequate posting of Sheena's news.
Ali-Pat, Thanks very much for fixing those tricky parameters! It looks a lot better.
Susan, thank you very much for explaining. It never occurred to me (before now) that this could be taken in another way.
Here is what Sheena sent in reply:
"OK Dottee sorry my quote from my email is causing such confusion. It has nothing to do with sex at all and those who have been to the RADA site where it originated will know that too. He is talking about a class he took as a student when he first joined RADA. The teacher asked the entire class to lay on the floor, close their eyes and then answer the questions she asked. The reason given for this was so they could not cheat by seeing how others answered and she added there were no right or wrong answers. The shifting of clothing on the carpet was the sound of people moving on the floor. Had my quote been formatted the same as it is in my email signature when it was copied across, you would be able to tell more easily which was spoken and which was action or thought. In context I would say if he were to answer to impress he would have said RADA was more important to him, but only he knows that for sure.
Hope that helps and thanks to Sheffe for posting for me as the server this site is on is still not talking to my service provider... :-( "
Once again, my sincere apologies for confusing people with the unskillfully-handled posting. I'm gonna go soak my head now. Ack!
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, - Monday, November 19, 2007 at 08:27:53 PM (EST)
Here is the whole quotation from AR, describing an acting exercise:
On my first day at RADA I and the group of strangers (soon to be family with all that jostling comfort) edged our way into the small, square, carpeted room. Sitting on a desk, legs dangling, hands tucked under her knees, was Puck (soon to be known as Angela Langfield - a teacher and director looking for daring and fun). A new world.
'Lie down and close your eyes,' she said. At this point we still did exactly as we were told. 'I am going to ask you a series of questions to which the answers are merely yes or no. If your answer is yes, sit up. If it is no, remain where you are. Keep your eyes closed at all times. No-one will know how you answer. There are no correct answers. Your answers are not being recorded.' Twelve pairs of shoulders were instantly up around twelve pairs of ears.
The questions started innocently enough but became curiouser and curiouser until we reached dizzying heights. 'Is there someone in your life who is very important to you?' The sound of clothing shifting against carpet. 'Is this person more important to you than RADA?'
It is day one. She says no answers are being recorded. No, but I bet she's watching. Do I answer truthfully, or to impress? And anyway, which is the more impressive answer? We left the room pummelled, and we had hardly moved a muscle. Well, that's not true. We had moved some very new and hardly-tried muscles. And this was just the beginning.
written by Alan Rickman for the RADA website
Susan
- Monday, November 19, 2007 at 01:23:09 PM (EST)
This on Sweeney Todd, from Variety:
"In a season of dark movies, this could be the grimmest -- but done with style and energy that offset the subject matter.
John Logan's screenplay smartly condenses the legit version to under two hours. Several performances, including those of Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman and Timothy Spall, will merit attention -- though anchoring the film is Johnny Depp, who offers another reminder that he can apparently do anything."
Renie
- Monday, November 19, 2007 at 11:59:09 AM (EST)
Sheena:
'Is there someone in your life who is very important to you?'
The sound of clothing shiftingagainst carpet.
'Is this person more important to you than RADA?'
Do I answer truthfully, or to impress?
Alan Rickman talking about a question asked of him on joining RADA (1972-1974)
Alright, please clue in the ditzy american girl here...I didn't exactly understand what he was getting at. Was he saying that joining RADA at that point in his life was better than sex (The sound of clothing shifting against carpet, I assume means having a roll in the hay)? Or did he mean exactly the opposite? He loves playing with words doesn't he? :)
Dottee
- Monday, November 19, 2007 at 10:43:05 AM (EST)
HEy You guys should go to www.potterpuppetpals.com cuz there some funny and kinds cute animantions with alan rickman and Dont worry there not making fun of him. GO to emmys christmas gift and sexy snape animation. You'll laugh but NOT be offended. Also go to muggle pants animation. It's just cool and listen to the Supa Dance Mix!
DO IT ITS WORTH IT!
~*As she draped her arms around his tidyed up waist and he saw her cheecks flush in her white pure gown he knew she would never be truly his*~
Elizabeth
- Monday, November 19, 2007 at 09:47:56 AM (EST)
Formatting has been relocated northward, Sheffe. Thanks for the news!
This related link has been posted over at Claudia's.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, November 17, 2007 at 10:57:59 AM (EST)
Sorry the formatting went south, everyone. You can still make out that they are keeping all our regular Potterers, so to speak.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Friday, November 16, 2007 at 09:48:20 PM (EST)
I am posting this for Sheena, as she had difficulties trying to do it.
----- Original Message -----
From: Google Alerts
To: dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.uk
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2007 12:39 PM
Subject: Google Alert - "Alan Rickman"
Google News Alert for: "Alan Rickman"
Casting Is Complete on "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"
PR Newswire UK (press release) - London,UK
... Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Natalia Tena, Julie Walters and David Thewlis, as well as Evanna Lynch, Matthew Lewis and Bonnie Wright. ...
See all stories on this topic
Kind regards
Sheena
--
'Is there someone in your life who is very important to you?'
The sound of clothing shiftingagainst carpet.
'Is this person more important to you than RADA?'
Do I answer truthfully, or to impress?
Alan Rickman talking about a question asked of him on joining RADA (1972-1974)
"The Search for John Gissing" Now available to buy on DVD! In region free format! Thank you to everyone who signed and/or publicised the petition!
**************************************************
****** For more on Alan Rickman, visit ***********
http://www.cybamuse.com/movieThemes/actors/arickman
***For problems concerning this list, please request a moderator in the subject header of an email to rickmannews@topica.com
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA - Friday, November 16, 2007 at 09:45:03 PM (EST)
Yes -- a smashing photo, Sheena! Could it show that tense moment when it's beginning to dawn on the Judge that this is no ordinary barber? I can't help finding it a little funny that JD looks so small, compared to AR. And Erminia: his voice is indeed to die for! You're not the first to have discovered this.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, November 16, 2007 at 08:43:56 AM (EST)
Way cool! Thank you, Sheena.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA - Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 11:05:19 PM (EST)
I'm with you, Ali-Pat. That picture is really something. Thanks a lot.
and those of you who found jd seductive as the pirate, can answer the question who would be more appealing, I think. I did:-)
mortianna
- Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 04:36:02 AM (EST)
I have met the magic voice of Alan Rickman for the first time while searching on Youtube for a recording of "My mistress' Eys", and since I playd it once, I could not stop listening to Alan's voice asain and again. It is seductively intoxicating.
erminia
Erminia <erminia.passannanti@talk21.,comfoo>
Oxford, - Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 05:32:53 AM (EST)
OMG Sheena--thank you for that GIANT photo! I am anxious to see this film also.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at 08:08:10 AM (EST)
Slash Film have an article and some hi-res pics from "Sweeney Todd" including one of Sweeney & Judge Turpin, be warned there could be spoilers. You can find them HERE and the direct link to the Sweeney & Judge pic is HERE. I am looking forward to this film I must admit.
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire, UK - Monday, November 12, 2007 at 12:17:18 PM (EST)
Hi! As u maybe see, I´m from Finland. I´m a passionate Alan Rickman fan and I would like to see him in theatre etc. if possible. So if someone knows, what shoud I do or where should I go to see Mr Rickman in live if I come to England...? Thanks anyway :)
Anna Mattsson <mattsson.anna@hotmail.comfoo>
Vantaa, Finland - Saturday, November 10, 2007 at 08:25:34 PM (EST)
AliPat and others, JK is a prime example for devotedness of fans. Actually, I liked him, Emma Thompson and Hal Holbrook, it was the rest of the cast that really sucked (as well as most of the plot,writing and direction), but hey, I watch it anyway. I may just opt to watch this movie when I can employ mute and fastforward! That's how I watch Robin Hood and Dark Harbor. And Love Actaully when the loud music gets to me. My first copy of AABA went soundless before AliPat sent me a new one, and I must admit, some scenes were quite nice without sound! You can all tell me how it was, and I'll look forward to it someday! (Plus my husband is already complianing about Sweeny Todd, as he is niether a fan of that musical or Jonny Depp ((or truth be told AR)) but he puts up with me nicely.)
kit
pa usa - Wednesday, November 07, 2007 at 02:10:33 PM (EST)
Alright, Ali-Pat, I can't argue with sound logic. :) Let's just say that I'm putting it on the bottom of my list of "Rickman Films That I Love".
BTW, just got the new EW with Depp on the cover. One picture of Alan, but otherwise his name wasn't even mentioned. They did carry on with reams of blather about the other costars and virtually snubbed him. How dare they? I would recommend passing it up at the magazine section.
Dottee
- Wednesday, November 07, 2007 at 08:52:06 AM (EST)
Very funny, Dottee! Sad thing is, I think I can actually picture him chopping onions--it would probably be a lot like Phil cuttin' hair. BTW I didn't like Judas Kiss first time out, but I have grown to love it. I think it was an enormous romp for all involved.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Wednesday, November 07, 2007 at 08:12:05 AM (EST)
Yes, Ali-Pat, I agree! Judas Kiss for one, which was just on HBO this morning. I wish it had been Snow Cake or better yet, a re-airing of their very own Rasputin!! I enjoyed watching Alan, but then, I would enjoy watching him chop onions. But there certainly wasn't enough of him in that film, and to hack up his gorgeous voice with that american accent is just blasphemy.
Dottee
- Tuesday, November 06, 2007 at 12:57:21 PM (EST)
Oh, Kit--I have sat through worse in order to appreciate a classic bit of Rickman acting! AR always somehow makes it worth my while. :0)
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, November 06, 2007 at 07:30:04 AM (EST)
HMMMM, quirky characters (i.e. unreasonably weird) boring Mary Stennburgen and TV sized 'talent' Ted Danson, type cast Danny DeVito, rock music soundtrack and comparison to Crank and Smoking Aces....I may pass on this movie, despite Rickman!
kit
pa usa - Monday, November 05, 2007 at 12:59:21 PM (EST)
(Strictly OT.) Joann: can't help you either, sorry. I'd just like to make a couple of comments; first, that I found it hilarious that there is such a thing as "official pizza", and, secondly, that I once lost a lot of weight (about 20 kilos) in 10 or 11 months, and, during that period, I had a pizza with a glass of red wine almost every Friday. On Sundays, I enjoyed a steak with French fries. (Today I don't eat meat.)I also had coffee with a muffin or piece of cake every afternoon . . . This rather pleasant diet can be highly recommended. :)
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Saturday, November 03, 2007 at 08:47:52 AM (EDT)
'Nobel' a prize pickup for Freestyle
By Gregg Goldstein
Nov 2, 2007
Complete AFM coverage in our special section
Randall Miller's darkly comic thriller "Nobel Son," starring Alan Rickman, Danny DeVito, Mary Steenburgen, Bill Pullman, Ted Danson and Shawn Hatosy, has been picked up for North American distribution by Freestyle Releasing.
Bryan Greenberg ("Prime") and Eliza Dushku ("Bring It On") also star in the story of an egomaniacal Nobel Prize-winning scientist (Rickman) whose son (Greenberg) is kidnapped. The film features a wild collection of eccentric supporting characters who guide the film through unexpected plot twists.
"The soundtrack is has new tracks by Paul Oakenfold, Groove Armada and the Chemical Brothers. The marketing opportunities are tremendous," said Freestyle co-president Susan Jackson. "We are convinced this will capture the same young male audience that 'Crank' and 'Smokin' Aces' did last year."
Freestyle will roll the film out on more than 1,000 screens in March. Nicolas Chartier of Voltage Pictures is repping its international sales at AFM.
Miller and his and producing partner, Jody Savin of Unclaimed Freight Prods., recently wrapped the wine industry saga "Bottle Shock" starring Chris Pine, Rickman and Pullman. The director wrote the script with wife Jody Savin, who previously collaborated on the Sundance entry "Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School."
Jackson negotiated the distribution deal with Miller and Savin.
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire, UK - Saturday, November 03, 2007 at 01:45:16 AM (EDT)
No, Joann, I don't eat pizza. I only have one diet rule: If it tastes good, spit it out. I live on chicken and fish and veggies and fruits. Only natural foods. No processed, no sugar, no refined carbs. And I listen to AR audio CD's while running or walking. Only way I can keep it off. Sorry, can't help you with the pizza question.:)
Dottee
- Friday, November 02, 2007 at 09:34:05 PM (EDT)
How do you do? I've got a question! I like pizza very much, but besause of my excess weight I'm obliged to refuse eating it often. My physician recommended me to taste NASCAR official pizza: http://nascarofficialpizza.awardspace.com
Has smb already eaten it?
Joann <Joann2932@gmail.comfoo>
Xyilo, 23 USA - Friday, November 02, 2007 at 08:48:32 PM (EDT)
I agree with you Pia. The fact that the man has a conscience and a strong sense of social responsibility attracts me more than the sexy hair or silky voice. Add to that his incredible talent and instincts, and there's the whole package. No wonder he is so private...there has got to be a flaw somewhere. Maybe he has bad breath. :)))
Dottee <dottee77777@msn.comfoo>
- Friday, November 02, 2007 at 08:26:31 PM (EDT)
Suzanne, Dottee: I'm not surprised that AR's radical views may put off some people. His commitment is clear also from his Latymer speech. Personally, I admire the fact he isn't just interested in his own career, but in society at large. In the speech he almost warned students and staff about the dangers of cherishing narrowly selfish ideals and dreams. "Make a difference," he pleaded. To me, this is inspiring -- too many people seem to feel that if they have a career, enough money, a house, a car, two cars . . . you name it . . . then everything is fine and they couldn't wish for more, or achieve more. Since the 1980's, selfishness has been okay. But this is a terrible attitude.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, November 02, 2007 at 06:28:22 PM (EDT)
Thanks for the welcome, Suzanne!
Glad to hear that Sweeney Todd may be up for some Oscars. Some say that Alan could be a dark horse for supporting as well. But I've also read that because of his strong political views and some of his work (namely MNIRC) he might get snubbed now and in the future. I don't think that this would bother AR...he is obiously committed to his personal beliefs and integrity...but it sure would p.o. a lot of his fans.
Dottee <dottee77777@msn.comfoo>
- Friday, November 02, 2007 at 05:11:01 PM (EDT)
Sweeney Todd will be on the cover of Entertainment Weekly - Nov. 9 issue! And here are a couple of stories on the EW web-site:
Johnny Depp: Cutting Loose in "Sweeney Todd"
"Sweeney Todd": A Musical on the Cutting Edge
All puns intended, I'm sure. :-) AND there are already Oscar predictions for Sweeney Todd. I'm getting excited and really looking forward to seeing this movie.
Lots of great videos, Reine, thanks for the link! And thank you, to everyone, for all the fantastic reports, photos, articles, reviews, trailers, etc., etc.! I've always loved Patrick Doyle's music. I'm glad everyone who attended had a wonderful time. Oh, and that speech AR gave at Latymer was amazing. Thanks again, everyone!
And a belated welcome to Dottee and Marta!
Hope you all had a Happy Halloween,
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
Come on, Renie, I konw you love those fur-lined cuffs. ;-), TX USA - Friday, November 02, 2007 at 09:04:12 AM (EDT)
Corrected lnk: Sky news on the Patrick Doyle event.
Renie
You'd think I do this intentionally for the cuffs, but I'm just a spaz. , - Thursday, November 01, 2007 at 05:03:25 PM (EDT)
Youtube has a clip from
(Check the sidebar which also pulls up additonal clips posted by Rickmaniacs and others from the evening's festivities.)
I hope all statesiders had a fun and safe Halloween.
Renie
My pleasure, Barbara and pia s. , - Thursday, November 01, 2007 at 05:01:13 PM (EDT)
PS And I thought it was a little funny to read, elsewhere, about husbands getting jealous when their wives seem too enthusiastic about AR . . .
pia susanna
- Thursday, November 01, 2007 at 09:04:08 AM (EDT)
Dear Renie: Thanks for posting the article; yes, what an event it must have been! Much more than glitter. And I did know that AR is a friend of Doyle's; my question regarding "black tie" stuff wasn't so much about that particular evening, but more general. I was thinking of AR's being present when new films in which he stars are released -- that kind of thing -- at festivals and elsewhere. Surely such appearances might be seen as part of the job. And possibly he enjoys them as well. I knew that ET was dressed as in Much Ado, but I'd never heard about "MAAN".
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, November 01, 2007 at 08:56:11 AM (EDT)
Thank you Renie for posting that article which gave such a comprehensive review of the Albert Hall concert. It was interesting to find out how all the other actors fitted in to the programme and what they did. Derek Jacobi and Judi Dench - oh my, oh my! It's great that so may AR fans were there as well so we can pick up on their comments and enthusiasm.
Barbara
NZ - Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 03:26:36 PM (EDT)
An article on the concertfrom www.musicfromthemovies.com.
A Remarkable Night with the Stars
"I’ve always been appreciative of Patrick Doyle’s talent as a composer; he has a gift for melody and orchestral nuance, and a sparkling romantic touch with music. Last night those gathered at the Royal Albert Hall in London bore witness not only to that musical gift, showcased through two-hours of his film music performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, but also Patrick’s mighty heart.
It’s ten years since the composer was diagnosed with Leukaemia, a disease that, we were informed, only 30% of adults survive. Patrick’s brave battle is inspiring for many and, with the help of his family and good friends, it is a battle he thankfully won. So, ten years on, and many scores later, Patrick teamed up with Britain’s leading blood-cancer research charity, Leukaemia Research, and with a little help from his friends put on one hell of a show.
They say you can get the measure of a man by his friends, and with the likes of Kenneth Branagh, Dame Judi Dench, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane and Sir Derek Jacobi on his speed-dial, Patrick Doyle is perhaps off the chart. Branagh directed tonight’s show and was a great force in getting it off the ground. His collaboration with Patrick, which began at London’s Renaissance Theatre Company, has since born the likes of Henry V, Much Ado About Nothing, Frankenstein, Loves Labours Lost, As You Like It and Sleuth and the pair remain close friends. Of course the big-screen Shakespearean adaptations played a big part in the night’s programme, beginning with selections from 1993’s Much Ado About Nothing. Emma Thompson reprised her role as Beatrice, prancing onstage, feeding grapes to orchestra and audience members, before performing the verse ‘Sigh No More Ladies’, which was elegantly put to music by Doyle for the film, while Tenor Scott Davies sang ‘Pardon Goddess of the Night’. Sir Derek Jacobi stole the show though later with a thunderous recital from Hamlet, backed by Patrick’s thrilling underscore.
French director Regis Wargnier was on hand to introduce two dramatic cues, from his films Indochine and East-West. The director offered his memories of working with Patrick for the first time and also, for the latter film, taking the screenplay into hospital for him to read. He recalled how they both tried to hide their shock, Regis’ at how sick Patrick was, and Patrick at how shocked Regis looked. Another director friend to take to the stage was Mike Newell, with whom the composer has worked on the likes of Into The West, Donnie Brasco and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The ‘Harry Potter Waltz’ opened the second half, with Newell introducing the beautiful theme ‘Harry In Winter’. The LSO worked their own magic with Doyle’s music, under the strong direction of conductor Dirk Brossé.
Great humour was abound during the concert and the likes of Imelda Staunton, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane and Greg Wise recounted hilarious anecdotes about their time with Patrick, as a friend and as a fellow actor (one of his many talents). Staunton remarked how Patrick’s laugh is so raucous it can be 'heard across several counties' and, being seated just in front of him, I can vouch for that. The big names continued to step up to the microphone and the highlights continued well into the night.
A poignant moment came when actress Celia Imrie took to the stage with Angela Baker. Angela is one of the original Calendar Girls, portrayed as Annie Clarke by Julie Walters in the film, who lost her husband to Leukaemia. In fact all of the original ‘girls’, members of the Rylestone Women’s Institute, were present and seated in the Royal Box. Leukaemia Research has had a fruitful association with them and, with Patrick coincidentally scoring the film in 2003, it has become a wonderful union. Imrie and Baker went onto introduce US singer/songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman, who put lyrics to Patrick’s theme from the film to create the heartrending song ‘I Find Your Love’. It was a moving moment in the show, made all the more poignant knowing Chapman’s own husband was also taken by the disease.
Further highlights came thick and fast, not least of all the world premiere of Patrick’s new Violin Concerto. Dedicated to his wife Lesley and introduced by his daughter Nuala, the work is based upon themes from his recent score for Branagh’s As You Like It and is in fact titled the ‘Rosalind Violin Concerto’. Soloist and Co-Leader of the LSO Carmine Lauri performed the piece beautifully on his 1780 Lupot instrument. Another Doyle took to the stage in the first half, this time Patrick’s other daughter Abigail. An accomplished vocalist, the young artist performed ‘The Way It’s Meant To Be’, the lyrics for which she co-wrote with director Robert Altman for his 2001 film Gosford Park. Richard E. Grant introduced this segment, which included the buoyant piece ‘String Folly’.
Bringing the evening to an end was Dame Judi Dench who introduced a selection from Patrick’s first film score, Henry V. Kenneth Branagh and Jimmy Yull performed as Henry and Westmoreland, with Branagh giving an exuberant recital of the ‘St. Crispin’s Day’ speech, backed by Patrick’s score. The big surprise of the evening came when Patrick himself performed the opening vocal solo of his piece ‘Non nobis, Domine’. It was a very strong performance, and a lovely touch to the programme. The London Symphony Chorus were of course magnificent in what was a resounding finale. Of course that wasn’t really the end and the ‘cast’ assembled onstage to sing, with a little help from us, a reprise of ‘Sigh No More Ladies’, before Patrick took some time to say a few words, surrounded by his friends. He remarked how having his music performed at the Albert Hall by the LSO was something he would never have imagined in his wildest dreams and to be able to gather together such immense world-wide talent was a ‘miracle’. One final encore came as people left their seats, the hugely exciting cue 'The Creation' from Frankenstein, a stunning final word from Dirk Brosse and the LSO.
It’s certainly true to say that to be able to see not only the world’s greatest orchestra, but also a who’s who of acting talent all under one roof (and what a roof), was just the biggest of treats. 'Patrick Doyle’s Music from the Movies - An All-Star Celebration' was without doubt an enourmous success and a remarkable achievement. This was a special night; not just a concert, but a celebration of life, courage, good humour and music, all things which form part of Patrick Doyle’s character and things that ultimately helped him win his battle with Leukaemia.
If you want to find out more about the wonderful work Leukaemia Research do, or if you want to lend your support, then visit www.lrf.org.uk."
By Michael Beek
Renie
- Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 12:39:30 PM (EDT)
pia s, AR is a dear friend to Patrick Doyle, so it's friendship and support freely given, and not "part of the business". Emma T. was dressed in a Much Ado About Nothing white dress, giving out grapes and singing "Sigh No More" as she does in the intro to the film MAAN, scored by Doyle and directed by Branagh. What a lovely and fitting way to begin the evening.
Although it was a charity event, it was very much a personal tribute--about celebrating the work and continuing life of Patrick Doyle. All accounts I've read/heard were that the participants, and audience were deeply moved. And why not--it's not just Patrick doyle but many people (and their families and friends) who face difficult struggles when a serious illness turns lives upside down. It's a time to cheer, give thanks, and remember why we're here. When Doyle spoke at the end of the evening, with his assembled friends on stage, several of them became tearful while he spoke, and some outright cried.
Other news: Patrick Doyle has a leading voiceover role in Sir Billi, Scotland’s first full-length animated feature. AR's friend Ruby Wax will also do a voiceover role.
Renie
Er, sorry friends, got a little umm emotional there, myself just now. , - Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 12:30:29 PM (EDT)
Mm, how intriguing to read all these reports, also at Claudia's, and see the pix. (Though I'm still not sure whether that charity tolerates animal experiments or not.) I particularly liked a lovely Getty photo showing AR and, I think, Doyle, with two others; it seems to have disappeared, perhaps for obvious reasons. AR looks radiant and happy in it. Does he actually like this black tie kind of thing -- what do you think? Or does he just turn up, because it's part of his job, in a way? Also (though this may be "Department of Trivial Pursuits" stuff), I read, in two or three places, how enthusiastically he was greeted when he entered, and that he seemed modestly surprised. This is charming, and I believe that we all admire his modesty. But surely he must be accustomed to noisily happy fans by now? Less trivially, I didn't know there would be snippets from Shakespeare; this made the evening seem more attractive, to me, with such actors. And a nice touch, to let AR introduce some music from S&S. Also, the image of ET bouncing about in a white dress, barefoot (?), and distributing grapes is pleasant.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 10:04:25 AM (EDT)
Phenomenal report Wendy! And Sue too! There are more super reports and photos in this Rickman IMDB thread including many large un-watermarked pics from the leaky cauldron.
I wish I could have been there too. So many of my favorite Brits! Sounds like everyone had a fun time for a worthy cause. I'm so relieved Patrick Doyle is now well so he can continue to make such wonderful music.
Terry
FL USA - Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at 07:39:39 PM (EDT)
I should have guessed that Kenneth Branagh would perform the St. Crispin's Day speech from Henry V at the Patrick Doyle concert at the Royal Albert Hall. I can't begin to imagine how thrilling that must have been *live*.
I understand that Derek Jacobi's delivery of Hamlet's "How All Occasions" with Patrick's music behind him was riveting . . . Would I had been there . . .
Here's a review of Rachel Corrie running at the Arcata Playhouse, in Ca.
Renie
*le gasp* et *le sigh*, - Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at 01:35:52 PM (EDT)
It is refreshing to see more of AR in the American cinema. I am a big horror buff I have been in the seventies. I readily admit I am not a musical fan, I will see todd. I am curious what they will do with it, cause it is such a classic stage production. It's not very thea-ta, but more big Broadway which doesn't mean its not on the caliber with small theater productions just that it is overplayed. Yet, I am intrigued to see what Johnny Depp and Tim Burton will do. The pre-screening was successful from what I hear so I will cross my fingers.
Kate
NYC, - Monday, October 29, 2007 at 10:42:55 PM (EDT)
Thanks for your report, Wendy!
I hope Sue doesn't mind--here is a link to part one of her wonderful account of the Patrick Doyle concert.
There were many Rickmaniacs there, and some are beginning to post details, accounts, and photos at Claudia's DH GB.
Renie
- Monday, October 29, 2007 at 03:23:50 PM (EDT)
It has been many years since I last posted on this website, and some little time since I last visited but having gone to the concert last night at the Royal Albert Hall I couldn't resist updating you all.
As you have already seen from the media it was a wonderful night with real celebrities, as opposed to those who seem to inhabit Hello and OK magazines (I was at the hairdressers on Saturday and caught up!)
Undoubtedly Alan was the draw for me to attend but with other luminaries from the British acting community such as Judi Dench, Kenneth Branagh (universally referred to as Ken), Emma Thompson, Derek Jacobi and Robbie Coltrane plus the music of Patrick Doyle who could resist. The icing on the cake was seeing some of the lesser known stars, Imelda Staunton, Celia Imrie and Greg Wise, the director MIke newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), original Calendar Girl Angela Baker) and the musical artists including one of Patrick Doyle's daughters.
Alan, who introduced the music from Sense and Sensibility, was of course his usual articulate, suave and elegant self. He referred to the famous instruction from teh film's director, Ang Lee, about being 'more subtle, do more'
What was absolutely delightful was as the end of the show all the celebs returned to the stage, Alan standing next to Kenneth Branagh, and after their dispersal they returned yet again followed by a final piece, and apparlantly impromptu piece, from the London Symphony Orchestra.
It was a night to remember, certainly to celebrate Patrick Doyle's successful fight against Leukaemia, to learn what an absolutely delightful and fun person he is, to raise money for such a worthwhile cause, and to simply sit back and enjoy what a fantastic wealth of talent we have in terms of music, acting and directorial ability in this country.
Wendy Moorhen <wendy.moorhen@btopenworld.comfoo>
Langley, UK - Monday, October 29, 2007 at 02:49:07 PM (EDT)
And click on the photo there to see AR on the far left. KB is on the far right with his arms crossed.
R
At least shackles are good for Halloween, - Monday, October 29, 2007 at 01:49:45 PM (EDT)
that Snippet:
"It could easily have been BAFTA night as the cream of British acting talent turned up in their finest. The stellar lineup, which included Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Richard E Grant and Harry Potter actors Alan Rickman and Robbie Coltrane, all took to the stage at London's Royal Albert Hall for Music From The Movies - An All Star Celebration."
Renie
Ooops. Pass the shackles, please., - Monday, October 29, 2007 at 01:44:57 PM (EDT)
Britain's Best--a night of movie music from *koff* Hello Magazine. Snippet:
"It could easily have been BAFTA night as the cream of British acting talent turned up in their finest. The stellar lineup, which included Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Richard E Grant and Harry Potter actors Alan Rickman and Robbie Coltrane, all took to the stage at London's Royal Albert Hall for Music From The Movies - An All Star Celebration."
Renie
I hope there are more reports coming--let's hear them. , - Monday, October 29, 2007 at 01:43:57 PM (EDT)
Sorry, the sexiest ACTORS-the argument still holds, nonetheless.
ACC
- Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 08:25:10 PM (EDT)
So does that mean that one person without anything to do thinks that Alan Rickman is the sexiest man alive and enters 60,000 votes? It would be more valid, wouldn't it, if one could only vote once? I personally haven't met all the men in the world, so my vote is still pending, but he is pretty cute.
ACC
- Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 08:23:09 PM (EDT)
Empire Magazine wants nominations for the 100 sexiest movie stars of all time. You can vote for AR five times each time you vote, and you can vote as many times as you want. http://www.empireonline.com/100sexiest/
--Susan
Susan
- Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 01:22:47 PM (EDT)
Renie: despite the sad context, I found the image of AR and ET wearing ginger wigs very funny. A friend of mine has a tartan cap with a ginger wig attached; nobody recognizes him when he's wearing this (which doesn't happen often, I should add). The cap-cum-wig is known as a "See Ya, Jimmy".
pia susanna
- Friday, October 26, 2007 at 10:06:59 AM (EDT)
Thanks, Ali-Pat, for drawing my attention to those posts at Claudia's!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, October 26, 2007 at 09:51:49 AM (EDT)
On Tuesday there was an early screening of "Sweeney Todd" to test audience reactions. Click here for the results (no spoilers).
Ali-Pat, thanks for the "Sweeney" merchandise list from Amazon. That is so cool! I know what's going in MY stocking this Christmas.
Lisa
US - Thursday, October 25, 2007 at 07:40:02 PM (EDT)
This article on Patrick Doyle's story in the daily Mail. Read it through. Here are the relevant AR excerpts:
"When music composer Patrick Doyle was diagnosed with an aggressive type of leukaemia, his famous friends rallied round in support. Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman had him in stitches when they wore funny wigs to visit him in hospital; he sobbed on the shoulders of Kenneth Branagh and John Sessions; and Timothy Spall relived his own leukaemia battle to help Patrick through.
Hospital staff became used to celebrity visitors. "Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman came in wearing ginger wigs, speaking with Scottish accents. The ward didn't know what had hit it."
Sleuth, scored by Patrick Doyle, is currently playing in the US.
Renie
Yes, please give us your reports., - Thursday, October 25, 2007 at 11:21:11 AM (EDT)
Several folks over at Claudia's are planning to attend the Patrick Doyle event and I am sure they will post their reports.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Thursday, October 25, 2007 at 09:46:25 AM (EDT)
Pia Susanna, I wish I could, but looks doubtful right now as it is expensive for the ticket plus transport and not sure I can manage about £100 in total. Which is a shame as I have been a fan of Patrick Doyle's music since the early 1990s and it is a good cause as well.
Hopefully people who are lucky enough to be able to go will share reports here.
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at 01:43:48 PM (EDT)
Hi, Will anybody visiting this Guestbook site hear/see "Music from the Movies" in London on 28 October? It would be nice to read some report or review. I don't know if AR is still planning to attend, though.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at 08:23:52 AM (EDT)
This comes from the Sweeneytoddfilm community on livejournal There are reports from the screening here Johnny Depp forum obviously as that is mainly about Johnny Depp not much is said about Alan Rickman, but he does get a couple of little mentions.
There are also reports on the IMDB board for Sweeney Todd be warned there are spoilers involved in two of the links (I will mark those two) and there is one which is meant to be spoiler free but you never know what people will type in things like that so be warned.
Little spoilers and plot details Mega Spoilers Meant to be spoiler free
Just thought you may like to know. :-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at 07:52:07 AM (EDT)
For all you early holiday shoppers, the Sweeney Todd move book, novelization, and Soundtrack CD are available for pre-order.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Monday, October 22, 2007 at 07:40:07 AM (EDT)
Thanks to plahara in a post on the IMDB, there is a second trailer for Sweeney Todd here on YouTube, be warned this trailer has some gore in it.
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 02:36:37 PM (EDT)
Jut a quick post to say taht I have just (finally!) gotten around to actually watching TSFJG, and it's bloody fantastic, worth every shipping penny and more - you get every single Rickman trademark move here, and the last scene during the credits is on my wish list for a new screensaver or something!!! So, if you haven't already, go buy it, because Mike Binder deserves to be thanked for letting this out of the vault!
Julia
Canada - Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 02:50:05 AM (EDT)
Ali-Pat, thank you for the welcome. I just wanted to add that I very recently finished the audio version of Return of the Native, narrated by you-know-who's wonderful velvety voice. It takes the first chapter to get used to the author's old fashioned language and descriptions, but very soon the story takes over and the magic of Rickman's narration is mesmerizing. ANYway, my point: Since it is a bit pricey, I would be very happy to share this audio with anyone who is also a Rickman fan. If interested, email me. I would donate it to the library but I'd rather share it amongst friends.
Dottee <dottee77777@msn.comfoo>
Key Largo, Fl USA - Friday, October 19, 2007 at 11:35:31 PM (EDT)
Ali-Pat - thanks for showing me what I knew long before - I have the wrong job. And yes, I would have bought the CD, too.
mortianna <still gigglingfoo>
- Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 05:36:46 AM (EDT)
From Filmlinc.com:
FRESH BLOOD: AN EVENING WITH TIM BURTON
A first look at footage from Sweeney Todd
Wednesday, November 14 at 8:00 pm
Rose Theater
Frederick P. Rose Hall
Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center
Broadway at 60th Street, New York City
Admission: Orchestra & Mezzanine: $50 FSLC Members & $60 General Public; Balcony: $40 FSLC Members & $50 General Public. Reserved seating with limited ticket availability in some sections of the theater.*
Witty, often elegant and always unpredictable, the films of Tim Burton have created a special niche for themselves within contemporary cinema. A born spinner of tall tales, whose subjects have ranged from Martians to Z-list Hollywood directors to, now, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Burton takes audiences places they’d never thought they’d go-and in ways they couldn’t have imagined. We’re delighted to welcome Tim Burton for an evening of conversation, clips featuring some of the greatest moments from his films, and a “first look” at his eagerly anticipated screen adaptation of Sweeney Todd, marking his sixth collaboration with Johnny Depp.
Lisa
US - Monday, October 15, 2007 at 05:40:17 PM (EDT)
Dottee, of course you are welcome! Please visit and post often.
Thanks for all the info on the Latymer speech, everyone. Quite an occasion!
BTW if anyone wonders what librarians do for fun, I was just at a library conference where the after-banquet party band was Draco and the Malfoys. They rocked and their lyrics were hysterical. Things like "My dad's rich and YOUR DAD'S DEAD". You get the picture. And yes, I bought the CD.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Sunday, October 14, 2007 at 09:51:11 AM (EDT)
Renie, if HE's giving the prizes, then cancel the whole game show! =8-O
On the other hand, if you're giving the prizes then I'll take the curtain---with Colonel Brandon wrapped in it, please.
MA---come here, Christopher, and let me unwrap my prize . . . ;-)
- Sunday, October 14, 2007 at 09:27:58 AM (EDT)
Just read his speech at Latymer (and thanks for posting that). Bowled me over. I know he is political, and that makes me admire him even more. I have had to become more political as my country seems to go further and further down the poop shoot each and every day. But I really sensed a quiet rage in his words. Perhaps desperation is a better word. His last words, MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I think he was disappointed that the student weren't in the room so he could see their faces. Never the less, I bet he inspired quite a few. Amazing man. BTW...I'm a first time poster, and I'd like to say that I enjoy the site very much. Hope I'll be welcome back.
Dottee <dottee77777@msn.comfoo>
Key Largo, Fl USA - Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 10:55:13 PM (EDT)
That's what I like about our community. Always a good librarian at h*nd! MA is correct (as well as prompt)--Dillane appears on our house copy of "The World of Shakespeare", so I had insider info for that one.
As for what you've won, dearest . . . Hmmmm. Perhaps HE might have an idea of what you'd like . . . best . . .
Or you could choose. The curtain or the box?
Renie
Who still prefers faux mink cuffs, - Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 08:06:29 PM (EDT)
And our FORUM
Marta
- Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 06:46:26 PM (EDT)
Hello!
I´m Marta from Spain and only want invited you to Rickman Club the New Alan Rickman´s Fan Club (Unoficial) in English and Spanish.
the link click HERE
Marta <Marta_Rick_05@hotmail.comfoo>
Madrid, Spain - Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 06:42:28 PM (EDT)
P.S. or Oops---forgot to add that the production was the Gielgud Theatre, London, 1994. What do I win? 8-)
MA
- Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 05:37:50 PM (EDT)
Alan Rickman gave a speech at his old school last week Latimer Speech
Claire
UK - Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 03:06:55 PM (EDT)
Renie, according to the copyright page, that's Stephen Dillane on that previous cover.
And if you don't stop talking about shackles, you're going to bring HIM out of hiding. Of course, The Empress would probably thank you, as it would save her the trouble of organizing a search . . . ;-)
MA *waving the librarian flag*
- Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 02:34:03 PM (EDT)
Maybe I meant Sean Bean in Macbeth. Still not sure about CE in Hamlet on the cover. He's bald in another picture from that production. I'd like him better as Hamlet than Dr. Who! Love David Tenant as the doctor. Seems like Harry Potter poelpe are everywhere. We watch a movie or a show and my hisband says "who's that actor?" and I answer "She/he was ....in Harry Potter. Quigley Down Under is on yet again on one of the Encore stations this afternoon. I'll flip it on for certain scenes, of course.
kit
pa usa - Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 01:45:18 PM (EDT)
hmmmmm, how many librarians read this page? It's wonderful! Thanks for all info. I may buy it, when my husband isn't looking.
kit
pa usa - Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 01:39:07 PM (EDT)
Kit, Alan and Helen only appear on the cover of that edition of the Oxford School Shakespeare, but there is no need to spend $40 for the whole set in order to get it. You can buy only the A&C volume here.
Even though you may have other copies, I suggest you ditch them and get this one. That way when you are weary of reading the play you will at least have something interesting to look at. :o)
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 07:41:16 AM (EDT)
Too many meads at the Quiet Woman. here is the previous cover.
R (in need of correction yet *again*)
Bring me my shackles, m'lord., - Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 01:26:25 AM (EDT)
To be sure! Five stars for Glowbox! Another photo of Chris Eccleston as Hamlet, produced by Ian Brown at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Who can identify the actor and production on the previous Hamlet cover of the Oxford School Shakespeare?
*cue jeopardy music*
Renie
Hamlets we have heard on high, singing sweetly o'er the plain . . . , - Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 01:21:07 AM (EDT)
Is that Hamlet Chris Ecclestone, Renie? It's rather a small pic so I can't be sure but the hair and costume certainly make me think it's him.
Glowbox
France - Friday, October 12, 2007 at 06:07:58 PM (EDT)
And motor skills blockage as well . . .
Renie *smacks forehead*
Yes please, DOC. , - Friday, October 12, 2007 at 03:35:07 PM (EDT)
kit, the Royal Shakespeare Company has produced Hamlet ten times since the company's formation in 1961. Sean Bean has done < ahref="http://www.rsc.org.uk/picturesandexhibitions/images/from_xml/romeo/I_86_T1043_99.jpg">Romeo, and in 2003 was Macbeth in Peter Hall's son Edward's production at the Albery in the West End. But Boromir hasn't done Hamlet yet that I'm aware of.
Why can't I place who that is on the Hamlet cover? MA?
Renie
(with brain blockage, apparently . . . *sigh*), - Friday, October 12, 2007 at 03:33:17 PM (EDT)
If you're talking about the Oxford School Shakespeare, AR and Helen Mirren are on the cover only.
Vera
- Friday, October 12, 2007 at 02:24:50 PM (EDT)
A new sale flyer from Oxford University Press shows 6 new editions of Shakespeare plays. The front cover of Antony and Cleopatra shows AR and Helen Mirren. There is no statement about the possiblilties of pictures inside...maybe some librarian could find out if there are rare pictures from this production included? I already three copies of all these plays, and don't want to spend $40 for a cover. Al Pacino is also on Merchant of Venice, Leonardo DeCario on Romero and Juliet and it looks like Sean Bean on Hamlet. Can't make out faces on the others. Is this a first for AR, pictured in the OUP?
kit
pa usa - Friday, October 12, 2007 at 01:57:52 PM (EDT)
My lord of Nottingham, it is almost worthwhile having you wroth with me, simply to be called a "young wench."
MA (or simply to be called a "young" anything! ;-D
- Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 07:57:17 AM (EDT)
that Gruber person to be taken more seriously? come here, young wench, and I show you WHO has to be taken seriously.
sorry, wrong forum.
George of Nottingham <mortianna02@yahoo.defoo>
- Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 05:37:34 AM (EDT)
Thanks Glowbox--that was great. Wonder if there is a chance AR will appear in the remake?
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at 08:02:19 AM (EDT)
Here's a good in-depth interview with Mike Binder which centres around SFJG: John GIssing
GLowbox
France - Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at 02:46:57 AM (EDT)
Renie--I wonder if the "full Hans Gruber mode" comment comes from the fact that Hans is kind of the default setting for Rickman's villainous characters in the eyes of most moviegoers---either Hans or Nottingham (not so many people have seen ClosetLand), and of the two, Hans is to be taken far more seriously. So I doubt very much whether it had anything to do with the actual nature of AR's performance as Turpin; it was probably just shorthand for "a character you can boo and hiss."
Only problem with that is, I think most of us were rooting for Hans in Die Hard! *g*
MA (hoping the Sheriff won't be offended and come looking for me!)
- Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at 07:57:11 AM (EDT)
Ali-Pat, I am avoiding the trailer--at least for as long as I can. (The only recent memorable exception to my usual trailer-avoidance preference was the HP series.) Photos are fair game, though, and he looks mighty fascinating as the young or old Turpin. I thought the following comment on AR's acting was strange, but we shall see, shan't we? (Makes me wonder if the comment was made by someone who actually *saw* the film.)
***Slight Story SPOILER*****
"The film captures the life of Todd, who once was a normal man, driven to vengeance by his imprisonment and death of wife and child at the hands of Alan Rickman’s (in full Hans Gruber mode) character (with musical interludes). "
***End Slight SPOILER****
Though it's been a while since I've seen the musical on stage, it's the sort of show that can chill you to the bone so you don't forget the experience--dark and tragic, for sure.
Here is a bit of the exchange between Todd and the lascivious Judge Turpin:
*******MAJOR SPOILERS*******
The song is called "Pretty Women", and has been referred to as the "prelude to a killing".
***SPOILERS*****
TODD
And what may I do for you, sir? A stylish trimming of the hair? A soothing skin massage?
JUDGE:
You see, sir, a man infatuate with love,
Her ardent and eager slave.
So fetch the pomade and pumice stone
And lend me a more seductive tone,
A sprinkling perhaps of French cologne
But first, sir, I think -- a shave.
TODD:
The closest I ever gave.
(He whips the sheet over the Judge, then tucks the bib in; the Judge hums, flicking imaginary dust off the sheet. Todd whistles gaily.)
JUDGE:
You're in a merry mood today, Mr. Todd.
TODD:
(mixing lather)
'Tis your delight, sir, catching fire
From one man to the next.
JUDGE
'Tis true, sir, love can still inspire
The blood to pound, the heart leap higher.
BOTH: What more, what more can man require--
JUDGE: Than love, sir?
TODD: More than love, sir.
JUDGE: What, sir?
TODD: Women.
JUDGE: Ah yes, women.
TODD: Pretty women.
(The Judge turns jauntily.Todd whistles and starts stropping his razor
rhythmically. He lathers the Judge's face. He whistles, then stands back
to survey the Judge, who is now totally relaxed, eyes closed. He picks up the razor. )
Now then, my friend,
Now to your purpose.
Patience, enjoy it.
Revenge can't be taken in haste.
JUDGE
(Opens his eyes.)
Make haste, and if we wed,
You'll be commended, sir.
TODD
(bows)
My lord...
(Goes to him.)
And who, may it be said
Is your intended, sir?
JUDGE:
My ward.
(Todd freezes. The Judge closes his eyes, settles comfortably.)
And pretty as a rosebud.
TODD: Pretty as her mother?
JUDGE: What? What was that?
(Todd is slowly bringing the razor toward the Judge's throat when suddenly the Judge opens his eyes and starts to twist around in curiosity. Todd quickly spreads the Judge's skin and begins to shave him.)
TODD: Oh, nothing, sir, nothing, nothing. May we proceed?
Pretty women
Fascinating
Sipping coffee
Dancing
Pretty women
Are a wonder
Pretty women
Sitting in the window or
Standing on the stair
Something in them cheers the air.
Pretty women
JUDGE
Silhouetted...
TODD
Stay within you...
JUDGE
Glancing...
TODD
Stay forever...
JUDGE
Breathing lightly...
TODD
Pretty women...
BOTH
Pretty women...
Blowing out their candles or
Combing out their hair...
JUDGE
Then they leave.
Even when they leave you
And vanish, they somehow
Can still remain
There with you,
There with you.
TODD
Even when they leave,
They still
Are
There...
They're there.
BOTH
Ah,
Pretty women...
TODD
At their mirrors...
JUDGE
In their gardens...
TODD
Letter writing...
JUDGE
Flower picking...
TODD
Weather-watching...
BOTH
How they make a man sing.
Proof of heaven
As you're living...
Pretty women, sir.
(Simultaneously)
JUDGE
Pretty women, yes.
TODD
Pretty women, here's to
JUDGE
Pretty women, sir.
TODD
Pretty women, all the
JUDGE
Pretty women
TODD
Pretty women...
JUDGE
Pretty women, sir.
****END SPOILERS*********
Renie
- Monday, October 08, 2007 at 01:20:51 PM (EDT)
How interesting, Ali-Pat! Could I read those other two articles on-line -- do you know?
pia susanna
- Friday, October 05, 2007 at 04:43:31 PM (EDT)
pia susanna, I'd say you are right about Robynn Stilwell being a fan. She did articles on two other AR films as well:
“Symbol, Narrative and the Musics of Truly, Madly, Deeply” by Robynn J. Stilwell: Screen, 38:1, Spring 1997 (60-75).
“Sense & Sensibility: Form, Genre, and Function in the Film Score” by Robynn J. Stilwell: Acta Musicologica, 72, 2/2000 (219-240).
So, any reactions from anybody on the Sweeney Todd trailer? Looks fantastic to me!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, October 05, 2007 at 04:03:36 PM (EDT)
Suzanne: now I've finished the DH article, and, yes, I found it quite intriguing, though I don't always follow the musical technicalities. It isn't only about the score, though. Got the impression that the author is more than half in love with AR! I don't know how many times he's mentioned in the notes, apart from everything else.
Sheena: thanks for the ST trailer; clearly gruesome, funny, rather robust stuff.
And everybody: this is O/T, but perhaps only a little. Emma Thompson appears in a new video against sex trafficking, a terrible and depressing business. Go to the website of Guardian Unlimited, then choose this offering from the "Latest videos" listed on the front page.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, October 04, 2007 at 04:39:21 PM (EDT)
Sweeney Todd trailer!
Thanks go to sarah_Kutschera on Alan Rickman's IMDB boardfor the heads-up here is the trailer for Sweeney Todd I have to say they look to have done an amazing job on the look of the film as well as making Alan Rickman span the decades needed as his character in the film. Enjoy.
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Thursday, October 04, 2007 at 03:18:01 PM (EDT)
Suzanne, thanks for the link regarding the score for Die Hard. I always associated Kamen with "The Winter Guest" and didn't realize until I watched DH again a few weeks ago that he did that score as well. And then I was surprised to read today that he also did RH:POT!
Angelina
CA - Wednesday, October 03, 2007 at 01:49:06 AM (EDT)
Some news about "Nobel Son"
Screenings Include 106 Industry World Premieres and 364 Market Premieres AFM Sold Out for Fourth Consecutive Year
LOS ANGELES, October 2, 2007 - A diverse selection of 522 feature films, including 106 industry world premieres and 364 market premieres, have been confirmed to screen at the 28th American Film Market (AFM) October 31 to November 7, 2007, in Santa Monica, it was announced today by Jonathan Wolf, Executive Vice President, Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) and AFM’s Managing Director.
A total of 34 different languages will be represented on the screening schedule of this year’s AFM.
In addition, Wolf announced that AFM has sold out all exhibition space at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and Le Merigot Beach Hotel, with the market reaching full capacity for the fourth consecutive year.
Among the films making their industry world premieres in Santa Monica are: “Carnera,” starring F. Murray Abraham and Paul Sorvino (Epic Pictures Group); “Flick,” with Faye Dunaway (AV Pictures Ltd.); “Mad Money” starring Katie Holmes, Diane Keaton and Queen Latifah (Nu Image, Inc.); “Sanjuro,” written by the late Akira Kurosawa (Toho Co., Ltd.); “Smart People,” with Thomas Hayden-Church, Sarah Jessica Parker and Dennis Quaid (QED International); “Tales of the Riverbank,” starring Jim Broadbent and Stephen Fry (Handmade Films International); and “The Neighbor,” with Matthew Modine (Curb Entertainment International Corp.).
Other films on the AFM 2007 screening schedule include, to name a few, “All God's Children Can Dance,” starring Joan Chen (Kimmel International); “Anamorph,” with Willem Dafoe (Mainline Releasing); “Battle in Seattle,” with Charlize Theron, Woody Harrelson and Ray Liotta; Julian Schnabel’s “Berlin,” with Lou Reed (Fortissimo Film Sales); “Bill,” starring Jessica Alba, Aaron Eckhart and Timothy Olyphant (GreeneStreet Films); “Blood Brothers” from producer John Woo (Fortissimo Film Sales); “Death Defying Acts,” starring Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones (Myriad Pictures); “Disengagement,” with Juliette Binoche (StudioCanal); “Eichmann,” with Stephen Fry (Media 8 Entertainment); “Fog City Mavericks,” featuring Francis Ford Coppola, Clint Eastwood and George Lucas (Starz Media); “George A. Romero’s Diary of the Dead” (Voltage Pictures); “Lars and the Real Girl,” starring Patricia Clarkson and Ryan Gosling (Kimmel International); “Married Life,” with Pierce Brosnan, Patricia Clarkson, Chris Cooper and Rachel McAdams (Kimmel International); “Nobel Son,” featuring Ted Danson, Danny De Vito, Bill Pullman, Alan Rickman and Mary Steenburgen (Voltage Pictures); “Purple Violets,” starring Edward Burns and Debra Messing (Showcase Entertainment, Inc.); “Resurrecting the Champ,” with Alan Alda, Josh Hartnett and Samuel L. Jackson (Yari Film Group); and “When a Man Falls in the Forest,” starring Timothy Hutton and Sharon Stone (Rigel Entertainment).
The screening schedule, a full list of films available during AFM and additional information is located in the AFM Catalogue of Films (http://www.afmfilms.org), the market’s online resource housing more than 3,500 motion pictures available at the AFM, including 800 trailers. Visitors to the site can search films by a number of categories, including genre, language, production status, budget, director, cast, company and title. Functioning as a year-round service, the Catalogue of Films will also list titles available at EFM, Filmart and Cannes.
AFM’s festival partner AFI FEST 2007 presented by Audi will take place from November 1 to 11. Together, the two events represent the largest gathering of film industry professionals and the only combined film market-festival event in North America.
About the AFM
During AFM, the business of independent motion picture production and distribution - a truly collaborative process - reaches its peak every year, when more than 8,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making, screenings, seminars, red carpet premieres, networking and parties. Participants come from over 70 countries and include acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world’s press all those who provide services to the motion picture industry.
Founded in 1981, the AFM has become the premiere global marketplace where Hollywood’s decision-makers and trendsetters all gather under one roof. Unlike a film festival, the AFM is a marketplace where production and distribution deals are closed. In just eight days, more than $800 million in deals will be sealed - on both completed films and those that haven’t started shooting yet - making AFM the must-attend industry event.
The AFM is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA), the trade association representing the world’s producers and distributors of independent motion pictures and television programs. More information can be found at http://www.ifta-online.org/afm.
About AFI FEST
Celebrating its 21st year as a program of the American Film Institute, AFI FEST 2007 presented by Audi will take place November 1-11, featuring international competitions of new films from emerging filmmakers, as well as global showcases of the latest work from great film masters and nightly red-carpet gala premieres. Kicking off the awards season each year, AFI FEST offers a crucial avenue of exposure to the entertainment community, while providing appreciative audiences with a festive atmosphere and the very best of world film, right in the center of the film capital of the world. AFI FEST is the only FIAPF-accredited film festival in the United States. Additional information about AFI FEST is available at http://www.AFI.com.
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Tuesday, October 02, 2007 at 08:30:45 PM (EDT)
So glad you're enjoying the DH article, pia susanna. Long, yes, but well worth the read. Now watch the movie! :-) It gave me a whole new perspective. As for correcting your typos, Ali-Pat, my new Deputy D.o.C. (Department of Corrections) :-) is to thank for that. We appreciate it, Ali-Pat!
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Tuesday, October 02, 2007 at 07:57:43 PM (EDT)
Renie: thanks for the interview; I read it with great interest last night. I hadn't quite realized how much the Corries -- Rachel's parents -- are and have been involved in the making of the play, and how many times they have seen it, in various cities. What a dreadful struggle against bureaucracy and perhaps fear (other people's) the Corries are involved in to discover the truth about Rachel's death.
Suzanne: first, thank you for correcting a couple of slips of mine in two recent posts. Secondly, many thanks for the Die Hard article. I've begun reading it, but it's much longer than I thought, so will return to it soon, maybe tonight. I never saw DH as a whole, but have watched many clips, snippets, videos from, or with material borrowed from, the film. How gratifying to read such a penetrating and scholarly study. Interesting too that HG is regarded as the real protagonist. I can't say I see him as sexually ambiguous, but so far I agree with the description in other respects. Yes, the 7 vaults seem like a mythological or folk tale element, and HG as a kind of Lucifer (fallen angel)figure seems quite convincing. This may be mentioned later in the article, but surely it could be seen as significant/symbolic that HG and the rest come up from below (some basement?) early in the story. Eventually HG returns, by falling, to the nether regions. Modern mythology, no?
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, October 02, 2007 at 08:54:42 AM (EDT)
Ali-Pat, aside from Renie, there have been no posts in the last few days (I set the GBs up to e-mail me whenever someone posts), and according to my backups, no posts are missing for the past month. If you meant before that, let me know. By the way, welcome to the wonderful world of GB editing. :-)
Hey everyone, Ali-Pat has generously agreed to help me out with the GBs, so I want to take this opportunity to thank her. So...
Thank you, Ali-Pat! You're doing great, really!
And while I'm here, I want to let everyone know I got most of the AR pages online again, including the archives and articles. Here's a link to that wonderful Die Hard article I promised to post awhile back:
Collage and Subversion in the Score of Die Hard
And thanks to everyone for all the fantastic info, articles, reviews, reports, videos, links and photos! For some reason, I couldn't find the video of AR on the Peace One Day web site, so I clicked on the link to YouTube and ended up spending three hours over there! Talk about getting sidetracked. LOL
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Tuesday, October 02, 2007 at 12:36:32 AM (EDT)
An excerpt from a long in-depth interview with the parents of Rachel Corrie.
" It's about oppression and she saw that in Rafah, but Cindy had a really interesting thing happen the second time the play was staged at the Royal Court Theatre. We flew into town. It was 8 o'clock at night or something, and we're met at the airport and brought directly to the theater because (writer) Alan Rickman was going to leave the next morning to go to L.A. for a film. So we wanted to see him and he wanted to see us, and as soon as we got to the theater, which was right after end of the play, he took Cindy over and introduced her to this couple that had just seen the play. Well, they're from Israel and they're in London on holiday, and they say that "My Name is Rachel Corrie" was the pick of the week in London, which is a pretty good honor in London theater. They described themselves as being from the Likud party, which is extreme right in Israel, and justifies the existence of the settlements that are being made the West Bank and at the time were in the Gaza Strip -- but they loved the play. Their statement was, "It's not anti-Israel, it's anti-violence."
Renie
And in other news, Bottle Shock will be at Sundance., - Monday, October 01, 2007 at 04:06:29 PM (EDT)
Oops!!! I was attempting to correct some typos and I think I erased several days worth of posts. Please forgive me!
Ali-Pat
Dog House, OH USA - Monday, October 01, 2007 at 09:02:35 AM (EDT)
Vera: Of course actors learn breathing techniques, but my point was that, even to an experienced performer, some positions are better than others to breathe properly in. Crouching is not really conducive to proper breathing. Sitting or standing straight is.
Renie: Yes, REALLY weird -- I had actually come across that photo before, quite by chance, in the same context; wondered whether I ought to get a new pair of contacts perhaps? Should one let somebody know about their mistake??
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 03:33:51 PM (EDT)
Okay, okay. Here's another example of why you should always question what you see/read on the Internet. Check out the photo here.
Then smack your forehead.
Renie
Maybe someone should notify them of the proper spelling of "glimpse"? Or is that just being, like, kool? , - Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 03:10:43 PM (EDT)
Ali-Pat, *no* idea . . . I do not think Hans woud be amused. Although *I* was . . .
R
- Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 02:23:38 PM (EDT)
A Man for All Seasons is an older article from Scotland on Sunday (with the Cambridge Jones/Getty hand/watch photo). Despite having clearly "incorporarated" many quotes and information from other articles, it has a lot about MNIRC which perhaps not everyone has read yet. (Georgiana you may have it on the archives of the News Page.) Some samples:
***Snippets***
"There are times when a piece of work attaches itself to you in a very deep way. For this important play to be turned into a personality thing would be inappropriate; that's why it's not about me."
"Two things stick in my mind: one was that the writing didn't feel as if it wanted to be trapped on a page for ever, it wanted to be spoken. The second is, I might not have read that paper, just as I haven't got round to reading one today - I might not have known," he says, trying to imagine the unimaginable.
"The crucial thing for me about the play is that it corrects the slanders on the internet about Rachel and the way she has been demonised - such as, 'Did you know she was a member of Hamas?' She was just this normal, all-American girl who cared. Do I know her? I go to their home - what Rachel called 'a doll's house, floral world' - and I realise I don't know the half of it. There are all those family photographs on the piano - another life."
"When I saw the production, (the journalist is speaking here) I veered between wanting to shake Rachel for her naivety and wanting to embrace this "scattered and deviant and loud" young woman for her intelligence, spirit, honesty and courage. "I'm so glad you felt that, because that's exactly how I hope audiences will feel," responds Rickman. "This isn't a play about Palestine or Israel, it's about being a citizen of the world."
***End Snippets***
House Concurrent Resolution 111 was introduced years ago, the text of which is here.
If you check on the resolution's current status, it is still "in referral" and "no major action" has been taken.
Renie
- Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 02:21:36 PM (EDT)
Renie, that's really funny. Wonder what planet the reviewer lives on?
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 07:55:19 AM (EDT)
Thanks, Vera.
On a very tangential note, did you know that Die Hard director John McTiernan was sentenced to prison (4 months) for lying to the CIA (of all things) about hiring uber-spy detectivista Anthony Pellicano to wiretap McTiernan's producer on the 2002 mistake remake of Rollerball. Not very nice, John.
The judge "scolded Mr. McTiernan for saying in an e-mail message to his previous lawyer that he was “offended” at the idea he could be prosecuted because he had “refused to make movies in which F.B.I. agents are the bad guys,” and for complaining that his legal woes could get in the way of his making a “patriotic movie.”'
Not as smooth as Hans, or even Ellis, is he? And in DH he doesn't exactly make the FBI the competent good guys, now does he? "You ask for miracles? . . . "
But if you think you've heard everything about Die Hard, you can always order this version, in which Alan Rickman doesn't even appear. It stars Bruce Willi. I kid you not--read the "Description" below:
"Description: Bruce Willi stars as New York City Detective John McClane, newly arrived in Los Angeles to spend the Christmas holiday with his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia). But as Mclane waits for his wife's office party to break up, terrorist take control of the building. While the terrorist leader, Hans gruber (Alexander Godunov) round up hostages, McClane slips away unnoticed. Armed with only a service revolver and his cunning, McClane launches his own one-man war. A crackling thriller from beginning to end, Die Hard explodes with heart-stopping suspense."
Renie
Oh Hans, let me ruin his suit, please., - Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 04:39:43 PM (EDT)
Personally, I like cats, although I'm allergic-I will talk to my dog about her sense of humor, though I'm not sure it will do any good-she's set in her ways, and has been at the receiving end of a few scratches in her time...
ACC
- Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 04:35:29 PM (EDT)
He's crouching in front of one of the pillars that carry the stage roof. He's actually on the stage, right at the front where the audience would stand.
As for the breathing, I suppose that's what actors learn at drama school, isn't it?
Vera
- Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 04:08:11 PM (EDT)
Snippet from The Canadian Jewish News at www.cjnews.com
Corrie Play to Premiere in Montreal
By JANICE ARNOLD, Staff Reporter
Wednesday, 26 September 2007
MONTREAL -" My Name is Rachel Corrie, a politically charged play based on the writings of a young American peace activist killed in March 2003 while protesting an Israeli military operation in Gaza, will be staged in Montreal later this year. Critics have charged that the play presents an unbalanced and inaccurate view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that ignores Israel’s side of the story.
Teesri Duniya Theatre will present the one-woman show at the Monument National from Dec. 6 to 22, in collaboration with Neworldtheatre of Vancouver, where it will be staged in January and February at the Havana Theatre.
The Montreal production will be the Canadian premiere of the play. It’s also scheduled to be put on by Theatre PANIK at the Tarragon Extra Space in Toronto from May 29 to June 22. It was to have been presented in Toronto this season by the larger CanStage company, but that production was cancelled soon after it was announced late last year, apparently out of concern it would offend some Jews.
CanStage board member Jack Rose was quoted last December in Variety as saying, “My view was it would provoke a negative reaction in the Jewish community.”
An earlier scheduled run at the New York Theatre Workshop in March 2006 was also put on hold after board members and subscribers objected. Prominent British actor Alan Rickman, the play’s director, denounced that decision as “censorship.”
The play, based on Corrie’s diaries and email, was created by Rickman and Guardian newspaper journalist Katherine Viner. It made its debut in April 2005 at the Royal Court Theatre in London, winning the Theatregoers’ Choice Awards for best director, best new play and best solo performance."
Renie
- Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 03:41:07 PM (EDT)
Last month I saw Snow Cake for the first time. Have promised, or threatened, to post a short "review" here, so here it comes, a bit late. SPOILERS
I liked this film very much, with its unusual story, its winter/snow imagery eventually turning into spring imagery, and the fact that the autistic woman isn't depicted as a victim, but a helper. The actors are all excellent, and the music is suitable. AR has said in an interview that SC is a little like a Western, with a man coming to a small town, staying briefly, moving on. Yes, and I'd like to add: here he comes in a car, not on horseback; and, as in a Western, he learns a great deal in a short time before leaving. Alex (AR's character) becomes himself again; sorry if this is a cliché. There are no good words for this kind of thing. I must admit I love stories like SC, with somebody moving from an alienated state to something else, more genuine. The winter images aptly convey this initial, wintry, spiritual state. I thought after the film about how childlike Linda, the autist, is, and how this is basically something positive. Alex learns to return to his own child-self by mixing with her, or so it seemed to me. This, too, is something that always intrigues me -- the child within the adult; how important it is not to lose touch with that child; how society may punish you for insisting on your childlikeness (not childishness), and conversely reward you if you conform. This is very sad, and, to me, a real problem. I'm always preoccupied with such existential questions.
I'm a little puzzled, though, by the question whether we should pity Linda. Autism is usually seen as a "disorder", but who decides what is "ordered", normal? And Linda's inventing words of her own, in a wonderful scene with Alex, is that meant to be a sign of "disorder"?? When James Joyce did the same thing, it was seen, by his admirers a least, as a sign of genius.
I have toyed with the idea of some allegorical or symbolic interpretation. I'm fond of this kind of thing, so maybe I'll push my approach too far. At first it occurred to me that Alex encounters three female characters -- Vivienne, Linda, Maggie - who all help him along to greater self-knowledge and joy (after what has clearly been a joyless period). In myths and folklore, things often happen in triads, and you may meet three helpers. If you're male, they're probably, if not necessarily, female. Later I thought about Greek myth -- is Vivienne a Persephone figure, descending so early into the dark, with Linda as her mother Demeter? Linda doesn't appear to mourn much, but this is perhaps a conventional comment. Her dance at the funeral expresses, possibly, both grief and love. Maggie would then be an Aphrodite figure. She even adopts Vivienne's dog -- the dog was a traditional emblem of Venus (Aphrodite). A friend I talked with about this suggested a more monotheistic approach. Linda is a kind of Virgin Mary; we're told that Vivienne's father is unknown, and Weaver with her dark hair combed back from her forehead looks perhaps a little like a madonna. Then Vivienne would be a female Christ, dying for others -- in this case, Alex. Because of her death, he gets in touch with Linda and Maggie, who help him become himself again. Maggie is a Mary Magdalene figure, according to this interpretation; Maggie isn't a prostitute, though Linda says or believes this, and the Bible nowhere states that MM is, either, though she later gained such a reputation, probably for patriarchal/sexist reasons.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 10:16:21 AM (EDT)
Sheena, Renie, & Ali-Pat: Have just looked up the Globe on the net. In pix I've just seen, the stage does indeed look quite similar to AR's setting in the anti-war video. Couldn't locate the exact spot, though. And, yes, Sheena, I'd love to see a play, preferably by Shakespeare, at that theatre. Of course I know it's a replica of his Globe.
As for the crouching business (trivial pursuits again, but such is love): I'd hate, myself, reading my own poetry aloud, or anybody else's for that matter, crouching down. How could one possibly breathe properly? And wouldn't there be a risk of one's losing one's balance? No accounting for tastes, of course, but I'd much rather sit on an apple crate.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 09:11:42 AM (EDT)
Just a quick note, I keep getting emails from fans asking me to start a new petition to get "Nobel Son" released. OK I am not saying I will not do it full-stop, but I do think people need to give the film a chance on it's own. I mean it only had it's first showing at Tribeca in April, small independant films don't get instant releases, remember it took a while to get "Snow Cake". So please can everyone just be a little more patient and give the film a chance on it's own? If it still looks doubtful on the release this time next year then I will be happy to start a new petition etc, I have a contact address etc for the makers of the film. That said I think it was almost 2 years before I created the first one for "The Search for John Gissing".
Also I think the next petition would need much more support from the fans than the one for TSfJG got, I am not sure that Randall Miller would do a self-sell like Mike Binder has done, so we would need many more signatures to convince a distributor it was worthwhile.:-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 08:46:54 AM (EDT)
Seeing as it's fall, once again I am looking for the Snape Halloween screen saver that has floating pumpkins on a midnight blue background and a beautiful Snape right in the center. I think it is Photoshop fan art by Carole? Does that ring a bell with anyone? Where can I find it? Thanks ladies!
fan-in-recovery
- Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 12:27:17 AM (EDT)
There is a direct link to the Laurie Lee poem as recited by AR for Peace Day on youtube here. ( Ali-Pat, you can embed it on your Peace Page that way, too.)
R
lots of news this month, - Monday, September 24, 2007 at 02:37:51 PM (EDT)
Don't recall if we saw this article on Bottle Shock.
Here's the opening paragraph:
SONOMA, California (Hollywood Reporter) - "Rows upon rows of grape vines crest the hills in this sunny countryside as a 1970s Gremlin rolls down the road with the gracefulness of a pear, then putters to a stop with a flat tire and a cloud of dust. Alan Rickman gets out, curses and begins flinging out the tire iron and jack."
Renie
- Monday, September 24, 2007 at 02:27:46 PM (EDT)
Hey, nice addition to your pages, Ali-Pat!
Definitely the Globe, and he's definitely crouching.
If you get to the Globe, breeze through the museum "exhibits" before your tour time, and then enjoy the Globe itself. Your guide will take you into rehearsal rooms as well, and guides are eager to answer your questions. Our guide informed us that when it was being built, and they ran low on money, so they decided against any more hand-carved wooden dowelings in the rail work. So you can see the difference if you look carefully--the detail work on some, and a machine cut less fancy design on the others. (Just the random sort of fact that interests some personality types, like mine.)
For any of you attending the benefit
Patrick Doyle concert for Leukemia Research
at the Royal Albert Hall, you'll be in good company. A lot of Kenneth Branagh fans will be there. Sounds like so much fun.
Renie
- Monday, September 24, 2007 at 01:41:49 PM (EDT)
Thanks, Sheena! I was just going by what they were saying on another GB.
Ali-Pat
- Monday, September 24, 2007 at 12:22:52 PM (EDT)
Ali-Pat, Some of the videos may have been done at the Royal Albert Hall. But I am almost 100% certain the video Alan did was done at The Globe, I have photos of that stage but from a different angle. My photos were taken from above and to his right, unfortunately without him being present. :-)
Pia if you get a chance go and see a performance, I haven't checked on prices recently but I know a groundling ticket was often as cheap as £5. It is a beautiful theatre, pick a day when the weather is good though or you will get rained on as it is open in the centre. The atmosphere is amzing there and as it is a replica of Shakespeare's theatre it is a great place to see his works (in my opinion anyway). I wish I could get there more often, there is something in every season that I would love to see but unfortunately I can't keep making the trip. :-) Oh and I am pretty sure Alan is leaning against the pillar behind him and crouching sort of sitting on his heels, but I could be wrong and they may have put somethign there for him to sit on, but there are no steps in that spot normally.
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Monday, September 24, 2007 at 11:11:57 AM (EDT)
Hey, I forgot! I actually published a page on Peace One Day here.
It appears the filming location is the Royal Albert Hall. Date--2000?
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Monday, September 24, 2007 at 09:33:14 AM (EDT)
Anne: yes, I think he knew. J K Rowling seems to have told him a thing or two about Snape before anybody else knew.
pia susanna
- Monday, September 24, 2007 at 09:29:37 AM (EDT)
Sheena, thanks for your response. I agree that the anecdote from ET's S&S diaries doesn't really show that AR dislikes cats. Anybody could lose their temper, even with somebody they like. Anyway,it was nice to note that the cat didn't obey AR's "F*ck off!". I think I've read about his saying "Nice dog!" in an encouraging way to a stranger's canine friend.
ACC, I don't know if I found your dog's sense of humour really funny. Sorry about that.
Sheena again: I have actually visited the Globe, in 1998, but don't remember it like that at all.I only visited some outer room, though; never saw the stage, as this was possible only if you were taken on a guided tour. I decided against this, as it was my last day in London on that occasion, and I felt a tour would take too long. It was rather expensive, too. I'm not sure AR is crouching in the anti-war video. Doesn't he rather sit on some step(s)? But I'd better check it up again.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Monday, September 24, 2007 at 09:24:25 AM (EDT)
I'm a middle aged lady who is a fan for Potter the story. I would like to thank Rickman for the Snape character - I just wonder if he knew from the very beginning that Snape was not a bad one but just a very lonely and sad person. Anyway, I knew - they are both great :-)
Anne <alicekyteler@hotmail.comfoo>
Helsinki, Finland - Monday, September 24, 2007 at 09:08:23 AM (EDT)
I like cats too, especially deep fried and eaten with toast points-I was forced to type this by my dog.
ACC
- Monday, September 24, 2007 at 12:26:31 AM (EDT)
Pia, not sure what his views are on vivisection. Not even sure if the rumour of him having cats is true. Personally I never understand why the piece in S&S Diaries is used to show he possibly dislikes cats. I have two dogs and I have been known to swear at them if they get under my feet in the kitchen or whatever. I have been reliably informed that he does like animals. I have also read a few fan encounters where he has made a fuss of dogs.
As to your question about the Peace One Day video, no idea when it was done, I haven't managed to find a date for the video on the site yet. It looks like it was filmed with him crouching on the stage at The Globe in London, a very beautiful theatre I recommend a visit to anyone going to London.
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Sunday, September 23, 2007 at 09:13:11 AM (EDT)
Ali-Pat & Susan: is this video new? I've just seen and heard it; liked very much the way AR reads the poem -- as if the words were his own, occurring to him little by little. What is the resplendent building he's sitting in? Does anybody know? Perhaps I ought to recognize it, but I don't, at least not at the moment.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Sunday, September 23, 2007 at 08:46:18 AM (EDT)
Thanks, Ali-Pat. I only knew Laurie Lee as a prose writer, so I found this poem interesting. AR may fairly be called a pacifist; it doesn't surprise me that he approves of such a poem.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Sunday, September 23, 2007 at 08:32:04 AM (EDT)
Here you are, Nathalie:
“The Long War” by Laurie Lee.
Available in Selected Poems: Deutsch, 1983.
Less passionate the long war throws
its burning thorn about all men,
caught in one grief, we share one wound
and cry one dialect of pain.
We have forgot who fired the house,
whose easy mischief spilt first blood,
under one raging roof we lie
the fault no longer understood.
But as twisted arms embrace
the desert where our cities stood,
death's family likeness in each face
must show, at last, our brotherhood.
Also available in these anthologies:
Peace and War, edited by Michael Harrison and Christopher Stuart-Clark: Oxford University Press, c1989.
Poets of Our Time, edited by F. E. S. Finn: J. Murray, 1965.
Ali-Pat
- Sunday, September 23, 2007 at 08:21:52 AM (EDT)
Hi, thank you Susan! Do anyone know where we may find the poem? i couldn't find it onthe web and like to read it...
Nathalie
- Sunday, September 23, 2007 at 06:14:13 AM (EDT)
http://www.peaceoneday.org/home.aspx?band=hi
page five of seven to see video of AR reciting Laurie Lee's poem "The Long War" for Peace One Day.
Susan
- Saturday, September 22, 2007 at 04:47:26 PM (EDT)
Thanks for the links, Sheena. Something I've been wondering (and I hope I won't be lynched by other GB visitors) is this: what is AR's attitude to pets and other animals? Does he accept animal experiments? I'm very much against such things myself, and should like to hope he is, too. But I don't know. I've read that he has or had two cats, Smoky and Satan (if I remember rightly), but in Emma Thompson's S&S diaries, we learn that AR was verbally rude to an innocent cat on one occasion. I haven't seen "Something the Lord Made", and don't intend to see it, because I've been warned that it's full of gory experiments on dogs. Okay, not real vivisection, I'm almost sure, and one can't conclude from this film that AR approves of such things, any more than one could tell from DH that he approves of terrorism, or theft. The concert next month in London might be something different, though -- in support of a charity accepting vivisection?? Well, possibly. Maybe these things, in an AR connection, shouldn't worry me, but they do, because I'd like him to be perfect, also morally. (I know very well that nobody is perfect.)I have approved of his commitment in other contexts; his support of worthwhile charities or projects like Amnesty, Make Poverty History, the one against AIDS, and so forth. So I'd like him to be for animal welfare, too. As he's quite a good rider, he may be fond of horses, at least. What do the rest of you think?? And please be gentle with me, because it really took some courage to write and post this. I don't want to be attacked because I always side with animals.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 09:14:15 AM (EDT)
Girls! I'm so amazed by all of the news!! Angelina, THANK YOU! Loved the pics. I mean, how could you have kept your head cool and not been excited when you actually had Alan only a mere few steps away? My dearest! Who would remember a zoom thing at such a time? Thank God you managed so well to take such in the spot great pics! I just love his shoulder line, his back, and the one he's leaning against the wall with his head turned to the right. I wonder what he might have been looking at... or thinking of... May be nothing, as it was so hot and he had to be in that suit in the sun. Being so hot, looking at him resting a moment from the sun, leant against that wall, wouldn't any of you have felt the temptation to go running and fetch him a nice large cool glass of whatever? Oh... allow me to daydream about it for a bit... And offer yourself as a make-up assistant to dry his forehead... getting close enough so as to be able to blow on the air gently... Girls, I'm in love... Love, to you all.
María Laura <arwenlight@fibertel.com.arfoo>
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 09:18:23 PM (EDT)
Mr. Rochester would be great (but I'm pretty sure Jane Austen didn't write that book, Charlotte Bronte did). I'd love to see him as Charles Paris in the Simon Brett mystery novels, too. AliPat has a great web site with suggestions for roles for him! Saw the poster for Sweeny Todd with his name in very tint letters. I don't care for this musical, but I'll probably go.
kit
pa usa - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 01:06:03 PM (EDT)
Pia, you are welcome. I am not sure I just assumed it meant that they were going through whatever process MySpace has in place to get the fakes removed. It seems to happen on all of the social networking sites, not just MySpace and Facebook.
The concert is taking place at The Royal Albert Hall you can find more details Here and Here
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 09:22:04 AM (EDT)
Sheena, many thanks for the news. How unpleasant for AR! Does this mean that MySpace will be sued? I've read that people pretend to be celebrities on FaceBook; didn't know that MySpace is (ab)used in the same way. Where will the concert take place -- do you know?
pia susanna
- Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 09:12:08 AM (EDT)
Rita Hall: It's been suggested before, if I remember rightly, that AR would be superb as Mr R. But surely Mr R isn't all he should be? (Except perhaps towards the end of the novel.)
Angelina: Thanks a lot for the very nice pics. But my heart goes out to AR, dressed like that, in such weather! Leaning against the wall because exhausted??
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 09:04:19 AM (EDT)
I had a letter last week from Melanie Parker so I am passing the info on. Sorry I forgot to pass it along here before, please pass the info on as it seems more and more people are being taken in by the fakes on MySpace and other social networking sites.
"I have had several letters from fans with regards to people pretending to be Mr Rickman on MySpace. Of course none of them are him but we are trying to go through due process on the site but it takes so long. I can categorically confirm he does not use MySpace or any of the other social networking sites.
Mr Rickman is hoping to take part in the Patrick Doyle concert 'An Evening at the Movies' on 28th October but as always this is subject to work commitments. He will be starting on 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' when he gets back from Europe later in the year."
Angelina, thank you so much for sharing your photos, they are great.
Rita I think he would make a great Mr Rochester, but if you look at his filmography I think he already beat the typecasting thing as much as he can, as he has said in interviews over the last 18 months, he hasn't played a villain for years.
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 08:42:44 AM (EDT)
Angelina, thank you so much for sharing your Bottle Shock photos! I am so envious of your luck I would swap one of my PL experiences for ten minutes of your time on the set. BTW, it cracks me up to see a Gremlin in the parking lot...
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 07:21:36 AM (EDT)
Kate, lucky you, seeing "Private Lives" (and all of the rest of you who got to see it). I wanted desperately to fly to NY to see it, but it didn't work out. I did enjoy reading everyones' posts about it (and was green with envy for months). Renie, yes it was very warm in Sonoma. I was in shorts and couldn't fathom having to be dressed in a suit!
Angelina
CA - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 03:55:42 AM (EDT)
Hi everyone, here are my pics from the movie set of "Bottle Shock." They were taken on August 27, 2007 in Sonoma, California. Sorry it has taken so long to get these uploaded. Hope the link works (cross your fingers). I was so excited that day that it took me awhile to realize that I had my camera zoom only half way out! You can also click on each pic to enlarge or run a slideshow, if you want. Bottle Shock Pics
Angelina
CA - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 03:41:41 AM (EDT)
What do you think of his being cast at Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre as in the Jane Austin novels? I think that would help his desire to stop the villian type casting he wants to avoid.
Rita Hall <rhhall@sc.rr.comfoo>
Gilbert, SC USA - Monday, September 17, 2007 at 05:43:49 PM (EDT)
You are so amazing. The first movie I saw you in was Quigley Down Under. Any time I see Tom Selleck I watch no matter what. Now, whenever I see the name Alan Rickman I am sure to watch. I am so glad that you chose to be an actor.
Linda Hoge
Wichita, Kansas
Linda A. Hoge <pauline 1 @ core.comfoo>
Wichita, Ks Sedgwick - Sunday, September 16, 2007 at 09:42:54 PM (EDT)
Thank you, pia Susana. I just realized, after I posted the message about my email address, that those three extra letters were also added to all of the email addresses.
I've just finished watching Something the Lord made.
It touched me so profoundly. Alan's performance of Dr Alfred Blalock is outstanding. Mos Def also does an excellent job. You know? After I finish watching one of Alan's movies or interviews, I just keep hearing Alan's voice in my head, how insane is that? It kind of gets into your system, your blood, possessing your brain... what was that line again, from HP1? "...to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses..." Well, Alan has that effect and he needs no potion to accomplish it whatsoever.
Love, to you all.
María Laura
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Sunday, September 16, 2007 at 05:00:39 PM (EDT)
Maria Laura: the letters foo are added automatically, an anti-spam device, I think.
pia susanna
- Sunday, September 16, 2007 at 09:11:23 AM (EDT)
Lucky girl angie~!
I saw him once or twice but only in the US. I saw him at Tribeca but relatively far away. Then outside the theater when I saw private lives. Granted living in NYC I see a lot of films being made. In the 80s I saw Woody Allen once. Still getting that close and intimate must have been a rush! Congrats you English girls are so lucky to have so many talented men!
Kate
NYC, - Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 10:57:00 PM (EDT)
My correct email address is "arwenlight@fibertel.com.ar" I don't know why it keeps adding other 3 letters after the "ar" part.
María Laura
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 12:58:47 PM (EDT)
I just loved the chair picture to show the "being alone in London" Isn't he clever and to the point or what? I just love so much that about him! Thanks for sharing the link.
María Laura <arwenlight@fibertel.com.arfoo>
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 12:57:00 PM (EDT)
Needless to say, I'm an admirer of Mr. Rickman's work. Though saying "Mr Rickman" sounds odd. I always refer to him as "Alan" coz there is no other Alan, to me, but him.
I enjoyed enormously Angelina's story about meeting him and asking for his autograph. Oh, I wish I could drive there too, just to watch him, in the flesh. But as I live in Buenos Aires, the shooting location is not within "driving" reach. Now, Angelina, please, post the pictures you've taken, will you?
Thank you
María Laura <arwenlight@fibertel.com.arfoo>
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 12:52:25 PM (EDT)
Ali-Pat, how interesting! Many thanks for the link. Do you know -- or does anybody know -- what kind of stuff AR designed when he worked as a graphic designer in London? I think I've read or heard that it was a prize-winning firm, so it must have been quite good.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 08:09:40 AM (EDT)
Seven, please pardon the late reply to your question, but there is a fan page devoted to AR's original art here. There was also a page he designed from an Oz magazine in the 70s (issue 19), but the link I have has expired. If I find it again I will post...
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, September 14, 2007 at 08:46:20 AM (EDT)
"Seven," I think a number of us would be interested in seeing Mr. Rickman's original artwork. I've been hanging out here for close to 8 years and not much of it has been seen. The best known is the program cover for "Antonio," which he did at Nottingham. It can be seen at the Rickman in the Round website. A year or 2 ago, he did a couple of cartoons which appeared in a book. I can't recall the title at the moment. And there was an original piece of art auctioned for charity last year, which I never saw.
Georgiana (I must be slipping--I was in Redding last week, and it never occurred to me to rent a car and drive 200 miles down I-5 to Sonoma...)
Seattle - Monday, September 10, 2007 at 10:30:39 PM (EDT)
Slope, I lied. The DVD was $17, and shipping was $22, so $39 in total, but that was USD, so whatever the Canadian equivalent would be, including the foreign currency charges on your credit card. But roughly, the price would be somewhere in the region of $45 CAD.
Julia
Canada - Saturday, September 08, 2007 at 01:23:19 AM (EDT)
Well then. Alot, really. I was trying not to gush too much.
Micah
Tx - Friday, September 07, 2007 at 11:03:33 PM (EDT)
A LITTLE bit??
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, September 07, 2007 at 02:39:09 PM (EDT)
I am completely in awe of Mr. Rickman's acting capabilities! The fact that his voice is pure heaven doesn't hurt. I firmly believe there is no other actor quite as versatile and believable as Mr. Rickman. He is a little bit of eye candy too. I'm through gushing, just wanted to share my thoughts. Thanks.
Micah <micah_deaton@sbcglobal.netfoo>
Tx - Friday, September 07, 2007 at 09:41:05 AM (EDT)
You're welcome, Angelina. Thanks for sharing your trip--I'm glad you got to meet him. The wrap of the Bottle Shock shoot in Sonoma. The photo of the Toscano Hotel is the First Street East locale that Angelina described. The actors were surely sweltering in that heat!
Renie
Adio to Luciano Pavarotti, - Thursday, September 06, 2007 at 11:24:44 AM (EDT)
Where can I get hold of Mr Rickman's art/design stuff? I heard he used to own a graphic design company before he became famous? I love art and would love going through his art work as much as his acting work! Does anyone have any links? I'm guessing the actual company has long since disappeared, but does any of the work still exist? I found a (apparently) self-portrait he did for a charity auction a while back, but that was all. Any suggestions?
Seven <none@nowhere.comfoo>
London, UK - Wednesday, September 05, 2007 at 03:10:25 AM (EDT)
Julia, thanks for the shipping info on the Gissing DVD! Woo that's steep--I hope that's 45 Canadian dollars?? I might have to think a little longer about this one. Too bad you can't buy it in a store! Oh well.
Slope
Canada - Monday, September 03, 2007 at 06:26:16 PM (EDT)
Angelina, Thanks for the detailed post. Enjoyed it very much!
fir
- Monday, September 03, 2007 at 12:39:23 PM (EDT)
Slope, I don't know if it's too late, but the Gissing CD cost me somewhere in the region of $45 in total. But it was shipped promptly, and there were no problems. (Except that purolator made me go pick it up, but that's just their stupid policies...)
Julia
Canada - Friday, August 31, 2007 at 03:35:22 PM (EDT)
Thank you very much for the account Angelina, it is very kind of you to share.
Slope, you are very welcome.
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 08:36:00 AM (EDT)
Jennifer, I did not think he looked thin. In fact, when he was standing in profile I thought he looked like maybe he had gained a little weight around the mid-section. However he was wearing a vest under the suit so I'm sure it added bulk. I thought he looked great. He certainly catches the eye. Everyone else, thanks for your kind comments. Still working on getting pics loaded.
Angelina
CA - Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 11:34:50 PM (EDT)
Okay, Susan, but I DID write "I think", to show I wasn't sure whether everybody agreed!
pia susanna
- Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 05:32:01 PM (EDT)
Yes, there are parts of what Lady U. said that I don't want to be said to share. And I would always rather be allowed to speak for myself.
Susan
- Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 02:31:23 PM (EDT)
Hey...!!! Ich find diese Siete voll hammer... endlich mal eine hp für einen echt *supi* Schauspieler...!!! Ich danke euch das ihr so ne hp gemacht habt ...!!! Hab euch Lieb ....!!! :) =) :) =)
In liebe Nina
!!!...Bussy...!!!*
Nina <www.........foo>
Hersfeld, Wildeck - Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 01:25:03 PM (EDT)
Jennifer: Yes, you're probably right -- doesn't he look very thin indeed in SC?
Susan: I wrote "I think", to show I wasn't sure! Anyway, don't tell me you can't agree with Lady U??
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 07:58:38 AM (EDT)
Pia Susanna, please don't speak for all of us--thanks.
Susan
- Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 08:38:28 PM (EDT)
What a wonderful story Angelina! Thank you for sharing it with us. I'm sure if I had an opportunity to talk with Alan I would turn beet red and end up not saying a word. You're soooo lucky! In the few pictures I have seen of Bottle Shock, Alan looks thin, or rather not as robust as he did in Sense & Sensibility. I know that was a few years ago but did you get a sense he had lost alot of weight?
Jennifer
Calgary, Canada - Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 05:35:59 PM (EDT)
Thank you very much Angelina for your detailed account of your day at Sonoma. So glad you had a memorable time.
Barbara
Wellington, NZ - Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 04:32:00 PM (EDT)
Lady Uruviel: We all agree with your description, I think! Very apt. And, Angelina, what a nice story -- must have been a lovely experience, in spite of your being nervous.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 08:28:58 AM (EDT)
No need to apologize, Angelina! Thank you for that WONDERFUL post! You were so lucky. Good for you!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 07:55:43 AM (EDT)
Hi everyone, I’m a long time lurker here (and even a longer-time AR fan). I’m “de-lurking” for a moment to share my Bottle Shock experience. This is long post, so sorry about the length but I’m so excited!
First, thank you, thank you to everyone who posted about “Bottle Shock” being shot in Sonoma. I live about 80 miles from there and read they were filming scenes at the Sonoma Plaza today, so I drove there with very slim hopes of finding the movie set, let alone seeing anything/one worthwhile. But the Sonoma vineyards are beautiful and the day is very warm and sunny, so it’s a trip to be enjoyed. I get to the plaza and lo and behold, there’s a film crew set up in the park directly across from a hotel on First Street East. I figured I was in the right place, because the street in front of hotel had cars from the 70’s parked in front (the film is set in the mid-70s). There were a bunch of extras in 70’s style clothing standing around. Surprisingly, the set was very open and not blocked off between takes. There were a couple of signs that read “Bottle S” along the street and a bunch of buses parked on the side streets. I walked through the film crew and heard a bystander say “it’s just a bunch of extras.” I stood around for about 15 minutes and didn’t see anyone I recognized, so I left to do a bit of shopping around the square.
After getting a very strong cup of iced coffee, I wandered back to the park and got the shock (no pun intended, he he) of my life. The gods have smiled down on me. Right on the street in front of hotel was *gasp* Alan! He stood out because he was the only actor in a suit. Not to mention gorgeous, snort. His hair was dyed brown with his temples left gray (hello Sinclair), and a little longish in the back befitting that decade. His suit was dark, with a subtle plaid pattern and it looked like he was wearing a maroon or brown tie with a black vest. Thank god they did not put him in big bell bottoms. He was wearing sunglasses for his scenes.
I found that most of the people in the small crowd of observers didn’t know who Alan was. Those who did, knew him mostly from Harry Potter. I was standing next to what appeared to be a local news crew. The reporter was rehearsing his segment and said (paraphrasing): “We’re here on the set of the movie ‘Bottle Shock’ on the 23rd day of 30 days of filming. The filming has just moved from Napa to beautiful Sonoma. Freddy Rodriquez has just come back to the set after taking the weekend off. Actors Rachael Taylor, Alan Rickman, and Chris Pine are filming in front of the Toscano Hotel behind me.”
Anyway, the scene they were filming is one where it looks like Alan has hitched a ride from some locals to get to the hotel. He crammed in the front seat of an old battered Ford pickup truck, in between Rachael and Chris. The contrast between them is hilarious. Rachael is wearing *very* short “daisy duke” jean cutoffs and boots and is very blonde. Chris is wearing a shoulder length blonde wig. Alan is very much the business man in his suit and shades. Rachael hops out of the truck to let Alan out, and Alan shakes her hand and then lightly jogs across the street to the hotel, carrying his briefcase. As he approaches the hotel door, there is a crowd of people waiting for him, waving wine bottles and shouting at him. He holds up his left hand to the crowd, says something (couldn’t hear) and then walks into the hotel.
They shot this scene in two segments. The first was of him walking toward the crowd and hotel door from the middle of the street. This took three takes. Then they shot him sitting in the truck, getting out, and trotting toward the hotel. This took several takes also. It is true that making movies is a lot of standing around and waiting. The actual filming of each segment was about a minute, but the set-up time between takes was about 15 minutes with multiple takes. When they actually filmed, they told us to stop the cell phones and cameras and to be quiet after they yelled “rolling” and stopped everyone from walking through the set. When they yelled “cut,” people were allowed to walk on through and/or snap pics.
It was a warm day and Alan was probably in the heaviest clothing of everyone, but he looked as calm and cool as you could imagine, despite being out in the full sun. The make-up person came over a few times to mop his brow and touch up hair and makeup. He chatted quietly, without arm gestures or a lot of movement. He’s got good posture and usually stands with his legs apart and hands clasped in front when not filming.
We were standing across the street from the hotel. Between takes of the first segment, he stood by himself and leaned against the hotel front. After they were done with that, he crossed over to our side of the street to the truck and was standing about 30 feet in front of us. Although I came prepared to get an autograph, I was hesitant to approach him while he was on set, not knowing protocol. Before the first take of the truck scene, he stood talking for a long time with some production people. Then he stood and talked with Rachael and Chris. After the first take of the truck scene, they cut and he walked back to the truck and opened the truck door to let Rachael back out. I thought that was a gentlemanly gesture. In between the next few takes he stood and chatted with crew members. The public was walking through the set between takes. I saw someone hand him a business card and walk away (which he read and showed to the people he was standing with) but no one was asking for autographs, so I didn’t approach him.
Finally, after the third take a man walked over and got his autograph. That was my cue! I walked up to him and he was just turning away to finally sit down so I said “Mr. Rickman.” The oxygen to my brain cut off as soon as I realized I had made contact and my mind went into stunned autopilot. He turned toward me and I asked “Can I get an autograph?” then mentally kicked myself for not saying “may” or “please.” He responded positively, but I don’t know what his exact words were. Honestly, I was so flabbergasted to be standing in front of him that it was a miracle I could say or hear anything. :-) I handed him the CD sleeve to the soundtrack of “The Winter Guest” and a pen. He took it and looked down at it and I said “I loved this movie” to which he replied “oh thank you.” He signed it “Best Wishes, Alan Rickman” and then looked at me and quietly asked “to whom?” in that low, mesmerizing voice. I was so caught off guard that he was signing more than just his name that I blankly responded “pardon?” Not my finest moment. He repeated it and I said my name, which he wrote down. Then I said “I just saw ‘Pefume’ this weekend and thought it was a very interesting movie” (true, I just watched it on DVD on Saturday for the first time) and he said “oh good, thank you.” Then I kicked myself again for using the word “interesting.” As I felt I had intruded long enough (although the whole thing took about 45 seconds), I thanked him and moved away.
I'm left with an impression of the top of his head as he bent over the CD sleeve writing in front of me, and that amazingly elegant voice. I couldn’t believe I was hearing it in person (that voice is just about the sexiest thing on this planet). I’m pretty tall (5’11”) so I was mentally comparing heights to see if he really was 6’1”. It appeared we were fairly close in height as we were about evenly face-to-face. The rest of it was a blur.
Needless to say, I drove home and called all my friends who have patiently listened to me go on about Alan over the years. I took quite a few pictures of him from a distance but didn’t want to snap in his face. I’ll do a follow up posting with link to pics when I get them on the computer. Thanks for letting me share and sorry for going on for so long! Looking forward to seeing this movie!
Angelina
CA - Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 01:21:35 AM (EDT)
Thanks for the links, Renie!
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, August 27, 2007 at 08:48:28 PM (EDT)
I really do love this man. Alan is so amazing with the transistion from character to character, and his voice sends shivers down my spine. He's handsome, sexy, suave and hilarious all at once. What woman wouldn't love to be with this sophisticated and irresistible man? *cocks eyebrow, imitating Alan* If I had a chance at him, all of you other Alan fans wouldn't see him for a VERY long time. *smirk*
Lady Uruviel <lee_dancing@hotmail.comfoo>
- Monday, August 27, 2007 at 02:22:22 PM (EDT)
PS "authorially punish them" in my recent post doesn't refer to Voldemort and his followers, but to those people on the good side who are killed in HPDH. Sorry.
pia susanna
- Sunday, August 26, 2007 at 04:49:00 PM (EDT)
And an older Bottle Shock article from the SF Chronicle which reveals some of the storyline, so beware. Includes an incredibly nasty comment from the screenwriter of the "other" film. ( I've never had a bottle of his wine, not likely to now.)
R again
- Sunday, August 26, 2007 at 01:24:58 PM (EDT)
Sorry, not sure if this has been posted already (just returned home.) More "life of an extra" from the set of Bottle Shock in Sonoma, and good set of photos and slide show here.
Renie
- Sunday, August 26, 2007 at 12:53:12 PM (EDT)
SPOILERS
K: Agree with most of the things you say about HPDH. Yes, SS is the most interesting character in HP; he's complicated and ambiguous, not a nice person, but on the good side -- Dumbledore's side. SS's death in the new book seems pointless and sordid. A redeemer should indeed die gloriously, as you say, or else (I'd like to add) survive. As in my own SUPERIOR version! All the other deaths in the novel seem rather pointless, too; we already know how ghastly Voldemort and his followers are, and there would be no point for JKR to authorially punish them (as happens in some novels with some characters -- the novelist playing God in his/her imagined universe). I knew already when Hedwig was killed -- an innocent creature -- that I wouldn't like the book. And to name a son after SS, as Harry and Ginny eventually do, surely is a case of "too little, too late". I can't help suspecting that JKR had lost interest in her characters when she wrote HPDH, and wished to get rid of at least a certain number of them. If I see the remaining two films when they appear, it will be for AR's sake.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Sunday, August 26, 2007 at 09:57:18 AM (EDT)
SPOILERS
No--I understand "Kings Cross" in relation to the area but of all places she could have picked for his "death" sequence...I just felt that the discription in the book was very pseudo-Christian. Its just a personal observation, I mean she made such fabulous use of Celtic lore, and Latin storytelling and then it just felt like a cop out. Cause so many authors these days seem to fall back on the Jesus and [or] bible paradigm.
I guess I was already mad, cause of the death of SS. Which was the worst cop out of all. It did him no justice as a character, he was the most deeply flawed and perhaps the most interesting character in the HP world. I mean, he was the ultimate redeemer, and they are no supposed to die such crappy deaths. They are supposed to go out with a raring speech and a glorious battle or duel. IN the end though, I was not very happy over all with the "meat" of the book. About 5 chapters was them fighting in a tent in the woods, and having pms hissy fits. The epilogue, equally had much to be desired. However, there were a great number of positives stuck in there. I liked the DD back story, and the threads about the hollows.
I hope that in the movie they give poor AR a better death scene.
K
NYC, - Saturday, August 25, 2007 at 09:42:59 PM (EDT)
Geez, haven't checked the site in a long while but happy to see the Gissing dvd finally available--thanks to Sheena and supporters of her petition!
Can any Canadian Rickmaniac advise how much the postage is to Canada for the dvd and how long it took to get it? Thanks in advance! :)
Slope
Canada - Saturday, August 25, 2007 at 06:25:41 PM (EDT)
K: You may be right about a different ending. HPDH has made me totally go off Rowling. As mentioned, I've invented another ending for SS.
But surely people could write branch-off novels anyway? Even resurrect characters?
Barbara: Yes, you're right about King's Cross, and I always thought that Hogwarts is in Scotland. Still, a double (and silly) entendre is of course at least possible.
Saw Snow Cake at long last the other night. Time permitting, will post a short "review" here soon. Will just say now that I found it a lovely film.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, August 24, 2007 at 08:19:28 AM (EDT)
I don't like the moustache in Bottle Shock at all. It makes him look so old. And for another poster - King's Cross is not necessarily a religious indication, it is the mainline station for Scotland where Hogwarts seems to be.
Barbara
NZ - Friday, August 24, 2007 at 04:06:14 AM (EDT)
http://sonomanews.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=311745
page two, row two--a photo of AR in costume and makeup (and mustache) for Bottle Shock.
Susan
- Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 10:24:37 PM (EDT)
****SPOILERS****
My suspicion regarding the end of HPDH was that JK wrote a different ending. It seemed like there was a literal break in the style and story when we got to the supposed climax. As for SS I was surprised and saddened that he got such a crappy death. I mean he could have at least died in glorious battle. Still the chapter that explains his past was very touching and a number of things I suspected turned out to be true.
I wasn't too keen on all the Christan mythical References. My friend denies it, but I distinctly recognized it. Him dying and rising to smite down evil...? Then hes in "kings cross" station? Come on JK you can do better.
Overall I felt the book was overlong in some areas and short in others. It would have been nice if she hadn't killed off most of the main characters but I understand cause you don't want people writing branch off novels. Still, if i had to give it a 1-10 I would say the last HP was a solid 7.
K
NYC, - Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 07:36:24 PM (EDT)
Alan obviously has great range but I continue to be enchanted by his role as the Sheriff of Nottingham Priceless.
Joe Howard <Turbojoe_95@yahoo.comfoo>
Longmont, CO USA - Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 05:45:28 PM (EDT)
Hi Samantha,
Don't worry, it's perfectly normal to find AR attractive. This doesn't mean that you don't also admire and respect him as an actor and as a human being, in so far as you/we know anything about what he's like in his private life. He does seem to be helpful and respectful to others, and he donates money to worthy causes (I think Amnesty is one). The age difference shouldn't bother you. AR is very youthful, slim and fit, for one thing; for another, he is interested in "the child within", and sometimes seems rather like a small boy. I think this is one reason why he's so good at acting, a kind of fantasy game, like those of childhood.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 09:13:52 AM (EDT)
There was a report by a woman who was an extra on the movie "Bottle Shock" on the imdb. She said that she was in the airport scene, and that it was over 100 degrees farenheit. Poor Alan was stuck shooting that sequence for over 12 hours. Anyway, this is the quote "I was in the airport scene... when Bo (Chris)is trying to convince Alan Rickman's character to take his wine to the tasting in France. They have to try to work around the airline rules of only one bottle per carry-on.. it was a fun scene!
I stood in front of Alan Rickman throughout the whole scene (in line at the "ticket counter") and after a few hours, got up the nerve to turn around and say hi and shake his hand. I felt embarassed invading his privacy, but I was sure as heck not going to be on a set for over 12 hours in over 100% heat and NOT at least say hi! He was also very polite and very professional and a bit intimidating.
They need extras again in a few days... if I get a call, I'll write more :)"
Gretl <lotsalolly@hotmail.comfoo>
- Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 05:46:10 PM (EDT)
Hi,
I loved Alan in Snow Cake and came to this site because I understand someone has the music "Notteru Ondo" by the Drifters available for dowloading. However, I cannot find the name or email of that person after searching through this site. Can someone help me please.
Thanks.
J. in Canada
Jacquie H. <lexy1946@hotmail.comfoo>
Vancouver, BC Canada - Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 02:24:56 PM (EDT)
Hi Sheffe, Agree with you about DU -- all the teachers hate her, and all the students, except for the handful she has persuaded to be her spies.
SPOILER WARNING:
I had expected some opposition to my own MUCH BETTER HPDH ending! But I suppose JKR's version has frustrated or saddened or angered many. I still don't see the point of SS's death, from a purely literary point of view. According to JKR, Voldemort's killing SS is based on a misunderstanding about the Elder Wand (if that's the right term). It seems pointless, haphazard, letting SS face such an end. Gruesome too, not even Aveda Kadavra, which I think kills you on the spot.
I let SS first disarm V, as he does with Lockhart in the duel scene in HPCS ("Expelliarmus!"), then Petrify V, and deliver a little speech, then kill him, using the Aveda Kadavra curse. (A so-called epic triad -- three different spells or curses.)SS is a very skilful wizard and could do these things on his head. "Lily, you are avenged," he solemnly whispers. Then he sets the place (building?) on fire, using some incantation such as "Incendio!", and Apparates at Hogsmeade, walking, a bit disguised, directly to the Hog's Head, to have a double or maybe triple Firewhisky, which no one could grudge him.
But surely there has been SOME love in SS's life? What about Lily?
The "veil" scene in the new film is odd; as I mentioned, it doesn't work for me. And you're right, it doesn't work very well in the novel either. JKR doesn't explain anything much, as you say. The difficulty here, in the book, is, I think, that she tries to have both literal/physical death (Bellatrix really kills Sirius) AND a kind of allegory or metaphor for death, in the same scene, almost at the same time, and it doesn't quite come off. The whispering from the other side of the veil is all very well, but Harry doesn't hear Sirius's voice, so it's rather cold comfort.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Sunday, August 19, 2007 at 08:29:32 AM (EDT)
Thanks, Pia Susanna.
You could well be right! (I hope you are, for I've liked him.:)
One of the hazards of fame, I guess.
Lee Eft
- Friday, August 17, 2007 at 10:35:18 PM (EDT)
This is for News & Information. Mortiana, Georgiana: the linked text is the same as in "The Age" (an interview posted by Sue on 29 July).
pia susanna
edinburg, - Friday, August 17, 2007 at 08:51:28 AM (EDT)
Thanks pia Susanna,
its just hard havign these feleings for alan because well my friends said yuo only lust after him, but i think its love when you'de want him to be happy even if its not with you. Well you seem to be expericened, i know some people may think i'm too young and ect but when i saw him for the first time, i just felt this....longing to be with him. it may be stupid but i can always dream. lol
ps. thanks for welcoming me
Samantha
- Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 10:19:17 PM (EDT)
Thanks pia susanna, everyone here seems so friendly. I really didn't know that alan had teen fans from his character Severeres Snape [sorry for the spelling mistake]. But i can't blame myself for thinking that i'm crazy because all my friends like younger actors that are actually in their teens and are like 'eww why do you like Alan so much". My answer i hope is good enough, hes distunguished and sexy, he voice is amazing and he seems really smart and his vocabulary is vast. in all his roles he always had the same ora and well i just love him.
ps. I reallyyyyyyyyyyy envey his 'partner' shes so lucky.
Samantha
- Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 10:07:50 PM (EDT)
Hi, I am a fanatic of Alan Rickman and his work.
Laura <tatmarie_1593@hotmail.comfoo>
Rio Grande, PR Rio Grande - Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 05:53:55 PM (EDT)
Dear pia susanna,
I think the most valuable thing the centaurs did was give all of them time to act, at that point, without fear of DU's interference. They weren't helpful in the long term was what I should have said. Clearly they helped short-term; I don't think any of the teachers and few of the kids were working with her willingly.
I have plenty of problems with what JKR does too, ultimately, and believe all of us have tried to change that ending. What a life--never able to show love, never to be loved. (Oy, I think I'm channeling an original Star Trek episode!) It was a cruel life he got, what with punishments for the bad stuff and no rewards for the good. He was nasty, but I don't think he deserved anything like that. *sniff*
P.S. I never thought they were going to bother explaining the significance of Sirius falling "beyond the veil" in the movie when JKR never bothered explaining in the book.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga's leafy canopy, - Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 03:36:11 PM (EDT)
Lee Eft: No, I agree, that seems to have been a disgusting piece of fattism/lookism. But, to give AR the benefit of the doubt, I think I've read about facebook that people pretending to be celebrities post stuff there; that it can be a kind of game, simply. So how reliable is facebook as for facts? Some or all of those examples of "wit and wisdom" might well be invented.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 08:43:49 AM (EDT)
(while watching Chris seat a heavy patron) “THAT was not made for these seats.”
"wit, wisdom and humour"?
Absolutely not. If the man is like that in his private life, then as far as I'm concerned he can stay private all the time. And I certainly won't pay out good money to go and see him!!!!!!!!!!! What an a$$h@le. :(
Lee Eft
- Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at 10:46:20 PM (EDT)
Sheffe, the centaurs don't change Umbridge's nature, though she has some kind of breakdown after her encounter with them. But they help expelling her from Hogwarts. Hermione is, I think, the one who takes the first step, suggesting that Harry might teach DADA in secret, in opposition to DU. There are many other steps, like Fred and George's huge magical fireworks (in the book it lasts for 24 hours, if I remember rightly) which she can't stop. Snape does his bit by giving DU fake Veritaserum when she tries to bully him about this, and by alerting the Order (but not DU) to Harry's suspicion that Sirius is being tortured at the Ministry. We know that Harry is wrong, and that SS dislikes SB strongly, but it's nevertheless SS's duty as a member of the Order to keep it informed.
I was disappointed in HPDH. Don't blame you for weeping. I think now that the HP stories are a too serious matter to be left to JKR. Have invented an alternative ending, with SS killing Voldemort in self-defence. That way, SS also lays Lily's spirit to rest. After this episode, SS is regarded as a hero, goes on teaching at Hogwarts, may even find some nice intelligent pretty witch to marry. Roll over, JKR!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at 05:54:46 PM (EDT)
I never liked Swedish Fish, or thought they were any sort of treat. However, where I live, they sell like happy little fishy hotcakes. All theatres have them.
pia susanna and Elliot the Slow...perhaps I should re-read the book rather than weigh in any more on the decidedly nasty Umbridge. I may have missed a thing or three. Whatever the centaurs did, it freaked her out without doing anything to change her nature. They weren't much help there.
Renie, way to go! It took me nine solid hours (and many tears!)
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
the green jungles of Conestoga, - Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at 01:08:17 PM (EDT)
Thanks, Ali-Pat! I don't trust Wikipedia by half, but this text would explain everything, including AR's reaction. Swedish Fish seem absolutely disgusting. It's funny, I know Sweden fairly well, but never came across them, myself. Sheer luck, I suppose.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at 07:44:24 AM (EDT)
Hi, Samantha, and welcome to the real fanatics! AR's admirers come in all age groups, more or less; I've heard, between 11 and 101. I suppose 11 should be adjusted to 10. And I've read or heard that AR in the Harry Potter films has more fans in their teens than Dan Radcliffe. Don't know if this is true, or how it could possibly be known. I think the source was Youtube, not necessarily reliable. I was born in 1968, so I'm a bit older than you.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at 07:33:55 AM (EDT)
pia susanna, here is an explanation of Swedish Fish. I have never seen them in any color but red, and the ones you buy in boxes at the typical concession stand are particularly nasty.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at 07:21:46 AM (EDT)
Hey everyone,
I just want to say thanks so much ofr this website, it means alot to know that I'm not crazy! Well I am 15 years of age and I have basically loved Alan since I was ten.....and the rest of you are probably at least above 30 or something along tose lines
Well thanks for reading this and bye and be safe and always love Alan he's sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sexy.
Samantha <9krieges@mackillop.catholic.edu.aufoo>
Canberra, ACT Australia - Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at 12:55:01 AM (EDT)
Thanks, Susan.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 05:19:03 PM (EDT)
That Facebook group has been removed from public view after objections that it violated AR's privacy, made him look insensitive, and so on. ("A/c" is air conditioning.)
Susan
- Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 01:21:20 PM (EDT)
Christine, I have no wish to argue over this, and I don't want to be a wet blanket. And much of what you say is really funny. BUT: The email address doesn't work for me. And I don't know what a/c means. And I have no idea what Swedish Fish is. Sorry about that.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 08:24:15 AM (EDT)
Thanks for that, Christine! How funny! Don't much care for Swedish fish myself...
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Monday, August 13, 2007 at 03:02:38 PM (EDT)
The instructions to post on the guestbook say use capital letters, but it only works when "Rickman" is typed.
Finally, after 8 years of coming to this guestbook I have something of worth to contribute (I hope). There is a group on facebook created by the staff at the Minetta Lane house in New York where Rachel Corrie played. Their quotes may give some more light to Alan's personality, particularly his humour. (I hope you all don't spend the next few days arguing over it- just enjoy it for what it is- a rare glimpse of him away from the cameras)
Name:
I Spend 90% of My Day Quoting Alan Rickman
Type:
Entertainment & Arts - Celebrities
Description:
Who can forget the night when Alan Rickman threatened to rip the a/c out of the wall? The first (and only) time he bought Swedish Fish? Or how about his experience at Evil Dead: The Musical?
For two months in fall 2006, the Minetta Lane house staff had the pleasure of sharing evenings and weekends with a true stage and screen legend. We miss him with all our hearts and souls, and find ourselves quoting his wit, wisdom, and humour in each day that passes since he moved on to other projects. Thank you, Alan, for the memories.
********************************
Some favorites:
(the first time a/c was on during the show)
“If I am ever that freezing again, I will personally go into the theatre and RIP THE CORDS OUT OF THE WALL!”
(while watching Chris seat a heavy patron)
“THAT was not made for these seats.”
(after buying Swedish Fish from concessions)
"These are HORRIBLE! They're not even like candy!"
"Every time I see a musical, I think, there's 90 minutes of my life I will never get back."
Alan: What's the running time for the Coast of Utopia?
Jerry: Three hours.
Alan: I'll be returning my tickets to that one.
(on Evil Dead: The Musical)
John: It's fun crap.
Alan: They should put that on the marquee: fun... crap.
Mandy: We saw a preview for Perfume.
Alan: Ah, Alan in a wig.
And, though he didn't say this at our theatre (though we watched the clip on youtube enough times there), we shall never forget this shining moment from a little clip called "Painting with Light":
"My name is Alan Rickman. I drew Jimmy Stewart, I drew a giraffe, and I drew some words."
Contact InfoEmail:
ihateswedishfish@locket.net
Office:
Minetta Lane Theatre
Street:
Minetta Lane
City:
New York, NY
Christine
goldeneyes, - Monday, August 13, 2007 at 12:22:39 PM (EDT)
I loved Alans performance in snow cake!
An
Bruges, Belgium - Monday, August 13, 2007 at 10:58:36 AM (EDT)
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/film/cinema-one-more-for-the-rogue/2007/07/26/1186252542792.html
sorry, no time to do a link, but I just found that...
mortianna
- Wednesday, August 08, 2007 at 08:16:58 AM (EDT)
We saw the Order of Phoenix movie at an IMAX near Rochester NY. Only the last 20 minutes or so were in 3D, but it was great! The characters were really standing there in front of us. Of course it helped to have a 5 story screne for the entire movie - WOW! I was in heaven during Alan's Snape scenes - just too few of them, there were. Oh well, will have to go see it again in 2D!!!
Tri
PA USA - Monday, August 06, 2007 at 11:40:43 AM (EDT)
I am a real fan
Tina Martinez <tinazrealtor@msn.comfoo>
Temecula, Ca USA - Thursday, August 02, 2007 at 07:20:40 PM (EDT)
Jennifer: AR probably finds many blockbusters less than satisfactory from an artistic point of view. We know he is particular about the script, who the director is, his own costume, and so forth when he's involved in -- or embarking on -- any film work.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, August 02, 2007 at 04:15:14 PM (EDT)
Christine, Rasputin has never been released in Region 1, so any R1 copies you find are somewhat less than legal. I have only ever found it on VHS tape and on Region 2 DVD. Maybe HBO will release a slew of "classic" tv movies one day and include Rasputin. I am surprised they haven't done it already--it did win some major awards after all!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Thursday, August 02, 2007 at 08:28:48 AM (EDT)
I've been trying for a while to find Rasputin (region 1 format) on Amazon, ebay, barnes and nobles, and borders. Unfortunately, all the copies are Used and around $40. Does anyone know another way to find it for a more reasonable price.
Thanks,
Christine
Christine
- Thursday, August 02, 2007 at 03:24:53 AM (EDT)
I spent the best day in Sonoma Square once a lifetime ago.
I wonder what ever became of that wonderful old Victorian.
j <info@mail.orgfoo>
Not Near Enough, CA USA - Wednesday, August 01, 2007 at 05:12:41 PM (EDT)
Steven Spurrier, wine snob--ooops, I mean wine expert, should get *over* himself. Okay, so he was 34 at the time of the 1976 wine tasting, but it's not like he was a young-looking 34--at any rate, what does age matter? The only reason he's after the film is beause he's sold his "life rights" to the other film company. I really hope this frivolous and ego-centric lawsuit doesn't shut the Rickman/DeVito movie down. Why do I imagine that Spurrier was rather chilly during AR's gracious phone call about portraying him.
I'm thinking of sending Imelda S. to teach Spurrier a lesson. *grin*
Sonoma is about an hour away, but vacation plans mean almost no chance to go and offer to be an extra. *sigh* Wrong coast. Figures. Chateau Montelena (backer of the film) makes wonderful wine, BTW, and Grgich Hills (Mike Grgich made the chardonnay which beat the French whites) makes chardonays which are truly awesome. Here is what Spurrier looked like. (The red which won--a Stag's Leap cabernet--continues to be a benchmark for fabulous California cabernets.)
Here is a link which has panoramic views of the Sonoma Square, and info on a few places where the film will shoot.
Renie (finished the Deathly Hallows in 2 days and very pleased with it.)
~Wine fan~, Did anyone else notice Snape's fingers on that table. And a H*ND close-up. Try and tell me he doesn't know we're watching.... - Wednesday, August 01, 2007 at 01:00:12 PM (EDT)
Hi Everyone. I haven't posted here for ages but I have been checking in from time to time. Perhaps I'm a bit behind, but I have just seen Perfume and Snow Cake. Alan was outstanding in both. Of the two movies, I liked Snow Cake better. I have a question. It seems to me that Alan only makes "little" films (other than Harry Potter of course). Do you think this is something he does intentionally? I'm just wondering why we never see him in big "blockbuster" type films.
Jennifer
Calgary, Canada - Wednesday, August 01, 2007 at 12:27:04 PM (EDT)
Guessing it will still get made, but who knows ... legal action against the makers of "Bottle Shock"
Anyway just thought some here may be interested. There is also a piece in The Guardian
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Wednesday, August 01, 2007 at 09:54:39 AM (EDT)
Oops, "Cinematical", that should have been, I suppose.
pia susanna
- Monday, July 30, 2007 at 05:26:00 PM (EDT)
Thank you for that terrific interview, Sheena! You're famous!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Monday, July 30, 2007 at 09:25:22 AM (EDT)
You are welcome Pia, it is a nice interview.
Mike is a huge fan of Alan's, I knew that from emails we have exchanged where he has told me what Alan was like to work with etc...
As I say Mike and Jack are both really nice guys :-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Monday, July 30, 2007 at 08:38:24 AM (EDT)
Sheena, what a lovely interview -- many thanks! Such lavish praise for AR, and for us: we're "absolute Rickman fans; he's got the most loyal, rabid fans and it's just amazing." And Cinematic chimes in with "And well deserved."
Apart from everything else, attacking corporate culture isn't perhaps such a bad idea. The family parallel is rather funny.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Monday, July 30, 2007 at 08:28:54 AM (EDT)
Just had to say that my copy of "The Search for John Gissing" arrived today. Along with a really nice surprise from Mike Binder, I have to say he is one of the sweetest guys I have ever spoken too. He included 3 of his other works on DVD with it as a thank you for me creating the petition as well as some of the other stuff I have done to help and support them over the years.
Sorry I just had to say publicly what really nice guys Mike and Jack Binder are.
Oh and here is an interview Mike gave, he is a fan of Alan Rickman's as well Cinematical Interview.
Thanks again to everyone who signed and publicised the petition. :-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Monday, July 30, 2007 at 06:53:28 AM (EDT)
More on Bottle Shock on the news page - it is due to start shooting next week
Claire
UK - Sunday, July 29, 2007 at 01:28:34 PM (EDT)
Sheffe: Your comments on Umbridge are quite convincing, and rather close to my own slant.
Sheffe & Slow Elliot: JKR must know that many adults read her books. (By the way, I remember how this enraged A.S. Byatt some years ago. She wrote a long acid article about this; it was published in some prestigious magazine (The New York Review of Books?). Somebody pointed out that this happened when JKR had begun to pass Byatt on the lists of best-selling books . . . :).)I don't quite see why the centaurs carry off Umbridge if they don't intend to rape or kill her. She is certainly distressed enough afterwards -- almost insane -- to have been raped. Don't see the similarity to Molly Weasley either. Umbridge as her opposite, perhaps -- the bad mother figure vs the good one? This may be what you meant, Slow Elliot. Molly, for all her fierce temper, is good and loving. The Umbridge thread is too prominent in the film, to my taste.
What you say about Snape is close to my own idea earlier outlined here, that he might be seen as a kind of Jungian Animus figure, which would mean he represents the suppressed masculine part (in conventional terms) of a woman. Which would help explain his enormous appeal to women.
While I'm at it, let me briefly comment on the new HP film. I enjoyed much of it; the actors are as usual excellent, and I like the haunting musical theme. AR as Snape is pitch perfect, which you have already pointed out, Slow Elliot. But I also felt frustrated. Cuts are inevitable when a movie is based on such a long novel, but there was simply too much missing from this film. Two magnificent quarrel scenes, for instance (Sirius Black against Severus Snape; Minerva McGonagall against Dolores Umbridge). No Quidditch at all. Umbridge bans Harry for life from playing it, so this is part of his grudge against her, in the book. Harry's attack on Mr Weasley is so vague that one doesn't get the impression that Harry "is" a snake at all, and when that animal is mentioned later, it must seem simply puzzling to those who haven't read the book. At the Department of Mysteries, it isn't clear in the film that there is one room for each special Mystery: that of Time, that of Intelligence, that of Death, that of Prophecy. (JKR may imply there are others.) The arch through which Sirius falls represents dying, but one only gets a brief glimpse of it, and, I think, no explanation, in the film. Luna isn't permitted her lines about how death isn't the end. I also miss Dumbledore's calm comment to Voldemort that to die isn't the worst possible fate. And much, much more besides. Basically I felt there were too many special effects, and too little magic, in the film. Magic in the Muggle sense of course -- not the technical/wizarding sense. Three good things, though: far less about the giants than in the novel! And more with SS/AR than I had feared! He should have been shown to oppose DU more deliberately, though, as when he gives her fake Veritaserum (plain water?) in the book. Also, there is a charming scene with Harry and Luna feeding the Thestrals. Apples? Nicer than in the book, where those creatures gorge themselves on half a dead cow!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, July 27, 2007 at 08:08:40 AM (EDT)
Correction...
As one of the best children's villains I have ever known once put it "I want to hURT them, while they're still young." And the male character's delighted response, of course. "Oh delightful, you're even worse than ME."
Interesting pun otherwise, but not as intended...
Slow Elliot
NYC, - Sunday, July 22, 2007 at 07:46:50 AM (EDT)
pia: I can understand your point in reference to the traditional myth of the centaurs, and your theory is left ample space to be as possible as you want it to be within the framework of the story. I just think it would be hard to say the author explicitly infers that interest for her particular brand of centaurs. If anything they're actually quite biggoted and haughty toward outsiders, representing perhaps the very dangers of male-dominated groups that characters like Umbridge hide from using the pretense of approved passive mannerisms.
When I said there were adult themes in the movie I was meaning more in their sophistication centered around the study of death and loss rather than around femininity vs. masculinity. I do think in the context of the author as a woman, and an intelligent one, that there are bound to be some themes that will resonate through the book as matched with the author's own experience. Even if she doesn't sit down to write them explicitly, *someone* has written with a pretty consistent and solid set of beliefs throughout the entire series.
sheffe: The question of whether a character like Umbridge becomes outwardly camouflaged as helpless because she is reaching for power all along, or whether she has taken on traditionally assigned masculine traits to bolster the status she tries for first with superficial feminine trappings is something that is not answered until the last book. Even then it leaves the question open to the reader's imagination, so I think there are still no absolutes of who is right and who can claim ownership of that character. --Except maybe JK Rowling's therapist. There's someone who probably has an absolute BALL reading the woman's books.
The reason I'm careful to say "traditionally" masculine as opposed to just calling her masculine is because I think gender roles should get a lot more thought than a single blurb could credit them. I don't believe Umbridge is male if I'm actually tasked to assign her an identity. She has outwardly assigned herself to a feminine pretext, and apparently inwardly as well. What's going on with her as she takes on personality characteristics that are more traditionally encouraged in males is something of an interesting anomaly, but is also her choice, and a tempting one if she has somehow gained the inner strength to use them.
In a book series beloved by young adults, it would make sense and be a very sophisticated cautionary tale to expose danger that women often face who were raised in environments too oppressive for them to become adept at practicing a more complete range of human desires. Her latent desires absolutely prey upon her because they are not allowed to be recognized by people in her traditionally assigned role. Punishment of the young has been one of the few outlets women have had to assert dominating aspects of their personalities in the past. The fact that she seeks out a position at a school specifically where this expression of aggression is socially allowable under the terms of her strict conservative social taboos is a testament to many a would-be female leader.
As one of the best children's villains I have ever known once put it "I want to her them, while they're still young." And the male character's delighted response, of course. "Oh delightful, you're even worse than ME."
I think Umbridge is an alternate interpretation perhaps of characters like Molly Weasley, and is put there in the story as the writing equivalent of the intricate sketch of lines produced in a chiaroschuro shadow of a dramatically lit portrait.
And as for being raped, I'd almost suggest, outside of what I think the author intended, that if she was, it was beforehand, and perhaps a contributing factor to her need and attraction to strength. She's perhaps aware of what life can be like without it. And this also becomes the root of her temptation and delight at becoming the villain who takes that same innocence away from children that she had taken away from her.
After reading the last book (hint, that is a spoiler warning) I think it could even be said that Snape suffers from this same lack of integration with more traditionally feminine aspects of his own character. He does not have experience in acknowledging the full range of his emotions either.
But then again, as I'm not JK Rowling's therapist, how could I substantiate any of that? Let me just flinch now and wait for the handcuffs.
Because you know, somewhat like directly speaking the name of Voldemort in the books (just to be right on the nose about these things), no one's found alternate and creative use for handcuffs, either, have they?
It's all in how the ink blots fall that day. Personal interpretation is a wonderful thing :)
Slow Elliot
NYC, - Sunday, July 22, 2007 at 07:41:17 AM (EDT)
I have also been enjoying the "extras" on the Gissing DVD (when Pottermania allows!). There are some choice cut scenes, and the outtakes are very funny! In the director's commentary, Mike Binder tells us that the whole film was basically shot in the same vacant building (in Mayfair, I believe). Does anyone know the name of this building or approximately where it is? BTW, I agree with Georgiana about the dancing during the end credits--you will see more of that in the outtakes.
Off to Potterland to do some reading now...
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, July 21, 2007 at 07:33:38 AM (EDT)
Thanks for the vote of confidence Gretl/Lotsalolly - I don't expect anything not even a note, he is a very busy man.
It is nice to know that people can finally see the film :-) I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, as Georgiana says it is a very funny film, Alan does a brilliant job. I am still watching the copy Jack Binder sent me two years ago, but I am looking forward to seeing the deleted scenes and outtakes once my copy of the released DVD arrives. :-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Friday, July 20, 2007 at 05:56:21 PM (EDT)
I have to say, having seen it many times over the years, I love "John Gissing." It is an exquisitely funny little film that truly displays Mr. Rickman's excellent fine comedic talents. The dance scene under the closing credits alone is well worth the price of the DVD. I think this film was victimized by 9/11 (weren't we all?)--its basic premise is that business is the new warfare, not the optimal statement to have been making as the world truly defined what form the new warfare was going to take.
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, July 20, 2007 at 03:25:20 PM (EDT)
So, Sheena/Dragon - I hope Alan Rickman will perhaps send you a nice appreciation letter for all of your efforts for him. I will be watching the film this week. Excellent!
Gretl Huffstadt <lotsalolly@hotmail.comfoo>
New York, - Friday, July 20, 2007 at 11:01:44 AM (EDT)
Thank you Georgiana! It worked and I ordered a tee shirt. Can't wait to get it.
Brinda <brinwal@comcast.netfoo>
VA USA - Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 10:56:34 PM (EDT)
According to decanter.com, Mr. Rickman is to star in one of 2 films being made about the Judgment of Paris, the 1976 wine competition in which California wines beat out their French counterparts. See the News page.
Georgiana (I'm sure he'll enjoy enacting that one!)
Seattle - Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 10:05:29 PM (EDT)
Here (I hope) is a proper link to the Snape t-shirt.
Georgiana (unless it doesn't work...)
Seattle - Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 07:14:27 PM (EDT)
Dear ACC,
I know, right?! You'd be afraid of catching Umbridge cooties.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 05:04:09 PM (EDT)
http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/store/product.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302029791&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442161252&bmUID=1183846674294
Google Hottopic Snape if the link breaks.
Susan
- Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 08:03:35 PM (EDT)
Hi! Haven't posted here in ages, but wanted to thank you guys for telling me how to order The Search for John Gissing. Went and ordered it! Saw the new Harry Potter movie again today. They left out so much that I would have loved to see on screen, but knew they couldn't put everything in. MORE RICKMAN!!! For those who haven't read the book, could have been more confusing. Where did you find the Snape t-shirt? Would love to have one.
Brinda <brinwal@comcast.netfoo>
W, VA USA - Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 04:44:47 PM (EDT)
Barbara you and everyone is welcome, I just did my best. I am glad everyone can now see the film. It is well worth every penny, seriously it is.
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 05:09:51 PM (EDT)
I think those Centaurs have too much taste to consider getting that close to Dolores Umbridge-the outfits would drive most people away/.
ACC
- Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 02:19:37 AM (EDT)
Dear Pia Susanna,
I saw Umbridge as more about power and control too (although that could be why she registers as "masculine" to S.E.) I saw the pink and fluffy as a disguise of helplessness which she wears and surrounds herself with in order to hide the degree of her actual ruthlessness; she's a wolf in sheepskin. Her biggest failings, aside from viciousness, are a lack of humor and imagination. That's probably part of the reason she's so far overboard with sweetness symbology.
Traditional centaurs would have raped her. However,as S.E. said, I can't begin to imagine J.K. even hinting such a thing in a book written for kids.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA - Monday, July 16, 2007 at 08:42:12 PM (EDT)
I return from a week's vacation to find a TSFJG DVD and a Snape t-shirt in my mailbox and a long-awaited word from Suzanne on the Guestbook. Think I'll go away more often!
I saw HP5 last night and all I can say is that I will probably be saying the word "obviously a lot this week (LOL!!!).
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Monday, July 16, 2007 at 08:11:29 AM (EDT)
Thanks Sheena, you have worked very hard for the release of John Gissing. I am still mulling over cost of postage being more than the DVD but I think I will succumb and just cut back on the wine for a while!
Barbara
NZ - Monday, July 16, 2007 at 04:41:45 AM (EDT)
IDMT/Slow Elliot: Interesting points! Umbridge is certainly non-feminine, traditionally speaking. I can accept and respect your "take" -- DU playing a masculine part, also in traditional terms. Perhaps her tasteless large bows, and those ugly plates with would-be cute kittens, are there to soften the impression?? Her own attempts, so to speak.
But my own slant is, I think, more a matter of control vs wildness: DU as the ultimate control freak is partly being punished by what is wholly wild and uncontrollable, especially the Forbidden Forest and the centaurs. There is some poetic justice in this. Fred and George, too, the practical jokers, or tricksters, are, in a sense, wild, so it's suitable that they help throwing DU out of Hogwarts. The same thing goes for Peeves, who puts the final touches to her getting exiled. (And for the sake of this argument I have omitted other moves to defy or get rid of her -- Hermione's idea that HP might teach DADA in secret, her forcing RS to write the interview in The Quibbler, and so forth.) There is a significant moment in the Forest where one of the centaurs happens to step on DU's wand so it breaks, meaning, of course, that her power now is ultimately broken. And, sorry, but I'm still not convinced that DU isn't raped.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 08:13:52 AM (EDT)
Just to keep you all updated Mike Binder has made another post on his MySpace about the International Shipping cost For the DVD of "The Search for John Gissing". As I tired to tell people who emailed me over it, USPS are an expensive way to ship abroad and they do charge a lot, it isn't the fault of the Binders or Sunlight Productions. Only recently I had to pay $30 to have a t-shirt shipped form the USA because the company used USPS.
All I can suggest if you are a fan outside of the USA (like me) and you want to buy "The Search for John Gissing", but find the postage a bit expensive, is get togetehr with some friends and buy a couple of copies of the DVD then share the shipping cost between you. I know a couple of fan groups on Yahoo are doing that.
But please don't blame the Binders or Sunlight Productions or accuse them of ripping fans off because they aren't.
Thank you Suzanne for adding the link to the DVD on your page. Please can I ask others to help spread the word that this film is now available, lets show those distributors what a little goldmine they missed out on, and show the Binders it was worth them releasing the film to us. ;-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 07:51:50 AM (EDT)
The woman who plays Umbridge is Imelda Staunton, who also played Mrs. Palmer in Sense and Sensibility and Vera Drake in Vera Drake, plus loads of other things-it must be like old home week for them all to get together on Harry Potter-so many of them have worked together in film and theatre over the years-I read that Michael Gambon has a new baby-Dumbledore probably isn't getting a lot of sleep just now LOL
ACC
- Saturday, July 14, 2007 at 01:29:20 AM (EDT)
pia: Yes, definitely enjoy it. I think you will like this one.
As for Umbrige, in the book she was more of a non-feminine entity. Perhaps more of a Trunchbull for anyone who ever read Matilda as a grasshopper. There are some tricky themes there because of the way it hedges a bit towards inspection of the traditionally masculine behaviors of women masquerading as equally traditionally feminine beings. Ancient stereotypes of centaurs aside, the HP variety are more like Dumbledore's wrath. Powerful and mysterious, but more zeroed in on pride and protection. A reflection of an earlier Dumbledore is my guess.
I think Rowling has done a fairly meticulous job of rounding the sharp edges of her myths while preserving their intended symbolic meanings, and good for her for being so careful. It's made it very hard for people to unwind out of context what she has presented. This is also why New York was aflood with wealthy young stock brokers who think that distinctive purple spine won't give them away on the subway after they've taken off that embarrassing kid's novel dust jacket. It's childhood wonder in pretty concentrated form for a generation of adults still happily keeping one foot planted in a little nonchalant regression to more interesting times.
So no, I don't think we're supposed to assume they did. It was more of a case where she was so powerfully "masculine" in her aggression that maybe it took beings that were equally masculine and openly hostile to dispatch of her.
I think having teachers like her ultimately creates a danger of making us into adults versions if we're not careful. Of course, when presented with people who are openly hostile, it's good to have had the practice. You learn early not to become the thing that attacks you because you learn full well what it feels like.
I think we had a conversation a while back on the social difficulties women can have in settings where they are discouraged from openly showing hostility or "negative" emotions. Those agressive and dominating emotions ultimately amount to social strategies that are more traditionally allowed in males and therefore often discouraged and considered off limits in women. In some cases, like with Umbrige, it makes them repress it down so much it just consumes them. At that point, they're not really women at all, are they? Maybe that's why they become so fascinating. They embody a social illness like female repression in almost pure form...
IDMT is now "Slow Elliot"
nyc, - Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 08:06:20 PM (EDT)
Thanks, Mary and IDMT, for your reviews of HPOP. I'll see that film on Tuesday; will bear your comments in mind. There are of course inevitable cuts when a long novel is turned into a film. But it's also a matter of priorities, after all. I realize that Harry's turmoil has many different roots -- Umbridge is certainly one, Cho Chang another, quite apart from Dumbledore's being so aloof and (as Harry thinks) frosty. And there are others. Glad to learn that Rickers is pitch perfect as Snape. Also, that the actress presents Umbridge so convincingly.
She is, I think, the most frightening and sadistic person in all the HP books so far, worse even than Voldemort, partly because she, belonging to the Ministry as she does, supposes herself to be on the right/good side. There is something odd about her as well, though -- is she really aware of Harry's scar hurting him? Would it mean that she, too, has a kind of hotline to Voldemort? Her vulgar taste just seems to make matters worse. :) And why does she turn up at Dumbledore's funeral? Has she simply been sent there by the Ministry, so that somebody will represent them there? An odd choice in that case, considering that Hogwarts by degrees got rid of her, and rather brutally too. (Do the centaurs rape her?)
pia susanna
- Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 08:46:28 AM (EDT)
I'm a Potter fan as well, and I encourage people to enjoy this one. It's very thoughtful and well-directed and in a lot of ways much more enjoyable on an adult philosophical level. But then if you wander into a Potter film looking for war and peace you're sort of missing the point.
The woman who plays Umbrige gives one of the best villain performances I have ever seen.
Alan Rickman is also pitch perfect, but the burden there is everyone would be shocked at this point if he were any less. Every scene is dense with subtests and interesting plot twists that weren't quite in the book as such.
Without giving too much away, there's also a Snow Cake easter egg quote from one of the other cast members.
On hosting: When an ISP begins falling down on their service, it means they've oversold their bandwith. Not that I have any affiliation with them, but 1and1.com seem fairly stable with high-traffic sites and a no-bull series of hosting packages to reliably service different levels of bandwidth usage. Hypermart is one of the old venerable ISPs from the early days, but like many others they've been lapped a few times by new solutions that don't have to keep up with legacy infrastructures or sites that have grown to be too bandwidth intensive.
If you want a technical insight, a lot of web hosting companies now store copies of popular sites on multiple regional servers.
If your ISP says they "lost" your site in the age of sarbanes oxley and a long industry standard of keeping reasonably redundant backups, they may well be jerking your chain because your site tends to get a lot of bandwidth spikes depending on the content, and that can be a pain to host because it isn't a predictable usage. ISPs make more money farming out to a hundred sleepy little sites than they do supporting just a few large ones. If they're not backing up your data, they're not providing you with reasonable expected service.
Conversely, if you think about the murkier side of fandom, they may be losing the data because they don't want to have to be responsible for handing it over to anyone. That gets into some tricky legal implications and many ISPs are still struggling with those decisions as fundamental aspects of the ISP business model. These are just things to be aware of going into a new hosting solution if that's where you're headed.
IDMT
nyc, - Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 12:56:35 AM (EDT)
Suzanne! Nice to see you. Thanks for the tiny Painting with Light! I had it on a tape somewhere, but I *sob* don't know where.
Thanks, Fir.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA - Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 11:28:42 PM (EDT)
Hi again, here's the requisite *spoiler* warning
*
*
here there be spoilers..
*
First, let me say that despite limited on screen time, Mr. Rickman's performance as Snape was brilliant. I was disappointed by the minimalisation of the oculomancy (sp?) portion of the story. The scenes w/teenaged Snape and the Marauders were far too brief. That said, the same could be said for the entire film. Barely a mention, if at all of the OotP, the director, Yates didn't provide a clear direction for the story, the pacing was ridiculously fast and too many enormous, gaping plotholes. He reduced the story of Harry's emotional turmoil, to just being about Dumbledore ignoring him. Not enough Tonks (no, "wotcher, Harry!") We needed a good half hour more to be added, and it might have pulled it off, but my friends and I felt sad that it didn't live up to the other films. More than a bit disappointed that Yates is directing the next. I wish they'd bring Mike Newell back.
That said, I did enjoy getting to see what scenes were included, and many of them were well done. Not to be a wet blanket, by all means go see the film, but if you love the novels, and the prior films, while you will enjoy what you do see, you will feel the loss of what should have been in it.
Mary
MI US - Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 10:20:44 AM (EDT)
I just ordered TSFJG also! Thank you, Sheena, for keeping us up-to-date (and Susan for helping) and for your tireless efforts all these years. Success! I will change the Petition link above to the page where you can order the DVD. Yippee-ki-yay!
WOW, those are fantastic interviews, Susan, thank you! He seemed quite playful to me. Did you catch what he said about his next film being filmed in California (are you ready, Renie?)? :-) "Napa," is it? Can't wait for that one!
And thanks, Renie, for the Masterclass and Manchester links and for all the DH4 reviews. It's nice to know they all agree that Hans cannot be toped. :-)
Oh, my! Ali-Pat, I'm speechless. You are one of the most sweetest, warmest and kindest people I know! *big hug* And thank you so much for the " Shelly" info (and Claudia for the video!)! A blast-from-the-past, indeed. How on earth did this gem stay hidden from us for so long? And thanks, also, for all the other info, news and links!
And definitely yes, many thanks to Georgiana, for all the wonderful articles on the News Page!
As for the "Painting with Light" video, which appeared on the Turner Classic Movies Channel, if I remember right, he was actually painting on a clear wall of glass and filmed from the front (other side of the glass) which would have made all the words backwards. But as Sheffe said, the image was then flipped so that we could read the words properly, but which also made him to appear lefthanded. Here's a link to a Videogram I made (just download and double-click), in case anyone hasn't seen it yet:
Painting with Light (tcm.exe, 2 MB, 1 min, 15 secs)
The 30 second Bunny DH is hilarious, thanks MA!
Chris, it's so great to see you! It's been too long, where have you been? Thanks for the Entertainment Weekly article. And here's a splendid new full-length photo of Snape that goes with that article.
Great to see you again, too, Pat!
And thank you, Glowbox, Lynn, Sue, Slope, CatsPlay and everyone else for all the fantastic links, articles, reviews, photos, info and news! We appreciate it SO much!
Anyway,I know I haven't posted in a longtime, which I apologize for. But as Ali-Pat mentioned, I had some major computer problems (not to mention some "real life" problems), which I'm still struggling to get under control. And on top of all that, as some of you have noticed, my www.alan-rickman.com site went down allmost two months ago. I imagine that is one reason why the GB was kind of quiet. I think a lot of people go to the main page first and click on the GB button to get here. So unless you already have the GB bookmarked, click on a link on another site or go to one of my mirror AR sites (www.alanrickmanonline.net, www.alanrickmanonline.com, alanrickman.hypermart.net, cloud.prohosting.com/arickman/), you probably can't get to the GB. The server I used, worldzonepro.com (which I've had for many years) crashed in the middle of May. Thay said they would restore everyone's web site from backups, so I waited... and waited... still nothing. So I called again and this time they "regretted" to tell me that they discovered part of their backup was corrupted and, unfortunately, that included www.alan-rickman.com and that they hoped *I* had a backup. (!!!)
After I paniced for about 30 seconds, I remembered I made backups on CDs, and the recent stuff on my hard drive. So now it's just a matter of finding all the files and uploading them again. But despite all these great setbacks, I have not given up ("Never give up, never surrender!")! Since I have to upload just about everything again, I've decided to move the domain to a different server, which I've had for two years and am very happy with. But this is taking some time obviously, for that not only includes moving the domain (now in the process) and uploading the main page, search engine, etc., etc., but also all the GB archives, the News archives, part of the FOF archives and the Article Gallery. But I'll get there!
Oh, and speaking of the Article Gallery, that article Ali-Pat mentioned on May 23rd about the "Ode to Joy" in Die Hard actually IS online... well, it was. But as soon as I get the Article Gallery uploaded again, I'll post a link. It truly is a wonderful article (courtesy of Rebecca in Washington) and well worth reading!
Now, I'm also aware that some people are finding it difficult or impossible to post on the Guestbook, which I again I am SO sorry about! But let me assure everyone, Ali-Pat is right, it is not for lack of money. I, she and every AR site owner (that I know of!) do it for the pure love of it and for the pleasure of other AR fans. Actually I know what's causing the problem, I just don't know how to fix it. You see, the problem started when I implemented the "Question & Answer" script which, after trying everything else I could think of, was the only thing that worked to stop the 50 to 100 spams a day (yeah, it got that bad). The good news is, we have been 98% spam free for a little over a year (can you believe it's already been a year?)! The down side is, the way the script works is, if you answer this question correctly, the "Add to Guestbook" window will (or should) pop-up, and if you have any kind of pop-up blocker on your computer, nothing will happen. And unfortunately, some people do not know how to disable it. So I'm going to give a few tips that I hope will help. But first I want to send out a plea: if you know anything about Java Script, especially pop-up versus forwarding, please e-mail me (if I could change the script to forward the GB to the "Add" page instead of popping up a new window, I think that would solve the problem)! In the meantime...
TIPS:
Internet Explorer: when a pop-up window is blocked, sometimes a yellow bar will appear across the top of your browser. If this is what happens after you answer the question, click on the yellow bar. In the short-cut menu that pops up, click on "Always allow pop-ups on this site." Otherwise, click on the address bar of your browser while you're on this page (the Guestbook) to select the URL. On the menu bar, click "Edit" and "Copy." Then, on the menu bar, click "Tools" and "Internet Options." On the top of the window that opens, click on the "Privacy" tab. On the bottom of the window where it says "Pop-up Blocker," you will see a box that says "Block pop-ups." If it has a check mark in it, leave it checked, that's fine. But click on the "Settings" button next to it. In the next window where it says "Address of Web site to allow:," RIGHT-CLICK the white bar and click "Paste" from the shortcut menu. You should now see the Guestbook URL. Click the "Add" button and the guestbook URL should move down to the "Allowed sites" window. Click "Close" and "OK" to exit out of those windows. Done! Now try posting to the GB.
I have also discovered that some Anti-virus/Firewall programs have pop-up blockers. So, if the above doesn't work, open your Anti-virus and/or Firewall program, find the pop-up blocker section, and turn the pop-up blocker off OR add the Guestbook URL to the "Allowed sites." Every program will be a little different, so at the moment, I can only give you instructions for the program I use:
eTrust Personal Firewall: open program, click on "privacy" on the left side. In the "Ad blocking" window, drag the slide to "Off" and close the window.
If the "Add the Guestbook" window still doesn't pop-up after you try all of the above, please e-mail me and I will give you an alternate method of posting.
The "Page not found" error is less common, I think, but one I'm still working on finding a solution for. But if this is what happens when you try to post, again, please e-mail me.
I'm going to put the above tips on a separate page with a link on the top of the GB for easy access and hopefully this will help some people. If you use a different browser and/or different Anti-virus/Firewall program and know how to disable the pop-up blocker or add the Guestbook URL to the allowed sites, please send me the instructions and I will add it to the Tips Page. If we all work together, we can beat this! :-)
Mary, hope you enjoy Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! Please let us know what you thought about it. Is anyone else going to see it? Okay, dumb question. :-) Please feel free to post your reviews on the GB. We would love to read them! But please remember to write "SPOILERS" before you post any plots, twists, surprises, ending, etc. for the benefit of those who haven't seen it yet. Since the movie and the book are coming out this month, I'm going to rename the HP-HBP Discussion Board to "Harry Potter Forum." There you can discuss the fifth movie, the seventh book (or any of the other books and movies) to your heart's content without worrying about spoiling it for anyone who haven't seen/read it yet. So have fun!
Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 03:24:55 AM (EDT)
Looking forward to seeing the teenaged Snape in the latest Potter film, going to a midnight showing here tonight.
Mary
MI US - Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at 07:32:23 PM (EDT)
Sheena asked that this be posted here: "The Search for John Gissing" is now available to all! Yes the international sales option is now working! The Search for John Gissing and buy it! Please spread the word get the fans buying it! Thank you again to everyone who signed the petition!
Very kind regards
Sheena
Susan
- Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at 01:34:09 PM (EDT)
Oh fir, you want witty points? Oh fine, I hereby bestow fir with all the witty points for the week. She wants them the most... There, that never happens on the REAL playground, now does it? ;)
IDMT
- Monday, July 09, 2007 at 08:36:18 PM (EDT)
"you should write books yourself. You indulge in so much fiction writing on here."
Haha, Good one Sheffe. So true!
fir
- Monday, July 09, 2007 at 10:14:35 AM (EDT)
Sheffe: yes, I thought something similar myself, that this kind of "review" can't have been written by a pro. A journalist, yes, but hardly a critic. Perhaps somebody who normally does indeed write for the business section, rather than the film and drama pages.
IDMT: Sorry, I might have misunderstood you. I do believe that we basically see eye to eye. The Internet situation may get a little weird at times -- such intimacy with strangers involves some irony, as you say. And of course the medium as such is a hall of mirrors, in a way.
And for everybody: I have haunted Youtube recently, seen and listened to quite a few AR and/or SS videos. Many are rather bad, though there are exceptions. There is also a dreary sameness, quite often. Occasionally something really good turns up. I believe "Dark Diamond" by catsplay is one example. Also, the very number of HP trailers and teasers (mostly amateurish) is almost overwhelming. Any comments?
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 08:16:04 AM (EDT)
Pia: Not at all, I was saying no, as in, tongue in cheek of course we all have those moments where people misunderstand each other. I just meant I do understand what a pain it is to be misquoted, especially for daring to discuss people's sacred cows. I said ahem as a reference to the forum we're having this discussion on at all, because it's such a fitting example of how tenuous communication can be across cultural boundaries. Internet forums have a history of being places of miscommunication simply because the medium is so new, and without face to face interaction or voice cues a lot of people make inferences. It's a very reflexive situation, very mirror mirror. And so the irony is carried a post farther ;)
Sheffe: See... shortage of good writers. You would probably write a much better HP article. In fact I'm sure of it.
Sheena: We're buying! Thanks for the link!
IDMT
NYC, - Friday, July 06, 2007 at 12:17:45 AM (EDT)
Dear Pia Susanna, the article sounds like it causes indigestion. It probably should have been in the business section. Maybe whoever normally wrote on that page was sick, so they grabbed this other human and said, "Here, you write. Do a Harry Potter article," and that was the best s/he could do. Too bad, however it happened.
Jerry, that is way weird.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Thursday, July 05, 2007 at 06:37:36 PM (EDT)
Elizabeth: I know! I know! We all think so.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, July 05, 2007 at 08:33:15 AM (EDT)
Thanks, Ali-Pat! But that shows he was annoyed, no?
Sheffe: yes, you're right, but my point was something else: that the Times as a matter of course will support/admire any kind of business (as long as it pays). The review was awfully boring because of its emphasis on distribution, money, the number of fans at airports . . . not much on the more artistic aspects. Fred's and George's studies don't count, it seems from this review (and I don't think it's relevant that the twins never did better than average at Hogwarts); only making money counts. That attitude is so sordid, and it's bad as criticism. Possibly I would have found the article less out of place as an item on the business page.
IDMT: I don't understand your attack, sorry; can't see it applies to me at all. I just thought you didn't seem to bother about AR's point of view re Paton's book; how vulnerable and humiliated he must or might have felt when reading it, and how embarrassed he appears to be whenever it surfaces again, if obliquely. But I think of course about my own reactions, what they would probably have been like in a similar situation. You may be tougher than I, and find it easier to shrug things off.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, July 05, 2007 at 08:27:08 AM (EDT)
i like alan rickman in notorious movies somewhat of a shocking showoff and cheating wives i think means okay we will do it the hard way.
jerry williams <jerryw111@yahoo.comfoo>
nevada, mo. usa - Thursday, July 05, 2007 at 05:35:50 AM (EDT)
Glad I can post again today. Thanks guys, I just did my best and thank you to everyone who signed the petition.
Anyway just as Susan has already said Mike Binder and a nice guy called Jeremy (who works for him) have posted at Catsplay's Livejournal She has linked directly to their posts there.
So all we need to do if we are outside of the USA is be patient for a little while longer. Those in the USA, what are you waiting for go buy the DVD NOW! :-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Thursday, July 05, 2007 at 02:14:14 AM (EDT)
Mike Binder has written to another AR site to say that they are still working to get the bugs out of the distribution system but hope to make the DVD available outside of the USA by next week. (It is region-free.)
Susan
- Wednesday, July 04, 2007 at 10:41:50 PM (EDT)
Sheena, I'm with Susan. I'm sure you had a lot to do with Binder's getting the movie into DVD-for-sale form. Thank you!
Pia Susanna, isn't that the secret? You have to find the sort of business that suits you. They are entrepeneurs and inventers, not merely shopkeepers.
Stream of smoke out of the keyboard, IDMT? That would be so way cool! Witchy. I don't get the down arrow thing, though, or the Soylent Green reference earlier, in, like, its total context.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Wednesday, July 04, 2007 at 08:37:54 PM (EDT)
Sheena is unable to post here today, but she wrote to Jack Binder yesterday about this shipping problem and he says he'll look into it. (You can write to Mike Binder at My Space. Gee, Mike--Amazon ships all over the world.)
Susan
- Wednesday, July 04, 2007 at 02:25:46 PM (EDT)
OMG!!! It has finally been released! And it includes outtakes, deleted scenes, a photo gallery, and director's commentary. OMG!
And now for the bad news--according to the website, it cannot be shipped to the UK. WTF? Time for another petition!
pia susanna, Beth was correct--I was referring to the photo of AR on the BBC Manchester website. Also, there was something in a blog somewhere (which I cannot relocate now) about AR siezing the mike.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Wednesday, July 04, 2007 at 09:14:37 AM (EDT)
I just ordered The Search for John Gissing after waiting for it since 2002. Thank you, Sheena, for all your effort, patience and perseverance, working for years to get this film released for us all. http://thefreebird.com/gissing/home
Susan
- Wednesday, July 04, 2007 at 03:34:57 AM (EDT)
ACC: yes, totally boring in some spots... but I gave it the chance like all books that try really hard to be something they're not.
Sheffe: Smoochies, dear. I was worried. I thought after the first five lines you would surely appear out of the keyboard in a little stream of smoke. I mean, right now, the NERVE of that little down arrow key. Sitting there staring up at you. Look down. No don't. It'll just make you angry! Just rip it off the keypad. Right now. Go on. Ripitoff! ;) ...No, you're right though. We ALL should spend more time focusing on important issues. The world needs strong women who can string a complete sentence together. That includes you. *attempts most convincing uncle sam adult face* You're plucky enough. Why not run for office or something... class prez? Senator? I bet they wouldn't know what hit 'em. I'd vote.
Pia: I have never, ever had anyone take something I say, paraphrase it under completely different context, and then have a temper tantrum or something claiming they know my intent. Nope. Never... Ahem. I just have the patience to say to someone that, no, that's not who I am. If they're fair minded enough they'll realize gossip in print or otherwise is just someone's entertainment. That "Rickman" the size 18 Times at the header of this page is a symbol, like Prince and his little dingbat. And as a symbol, and like all language, it gets good exercise when stretched and experimented. That's what we as human beings are good at and do best.
But you know it's actually a great litmus test to see how someone reacts if presented with rumor. If they don't instantly believe it, and just take it for what it is, they'll probably not get to riled up about it and life is happier for most of the folks around them. If they latch on to it and show a vicious nature in wanting to attack with it or feel superior above it, we probably won't get much out of them besides drama, and if they believe every word that's ever said by a reporter or researcher, it just means you have to wait on them until they've seen the world a bit more. Everybody's got an angle. There is no truth or fiction with regards to fame and history.
There are only marketing people who are paid to make you think this person is one way, and tabloid people who are paid to make you think whatever's the opposite. All of that body of lit amounts to absolutely nothing about the real person. It's just a cardboard construct, and it tells more about the people joined around the same campfire to discuss it than it ever will about the common shared resonance of the symbol they're all inspecting.
That's my 5k on the subject, anyhow... what's your take?
Glowbox: Agreed, that's a great article, and it sounds like a really fun concept performance. Rickman has a great voice for that sort of thing, so it was probably wonderful even if it wasn't "Doorsy" enough.
IDMT
NYC, - Tuesday, July 03, 2007 at 05:43:10 PM (EDT)
Sheffe: Of course business suits Fred and George -- but please remember that this is a VERY special kind of business: a wizarding joke shop! The reviewer in The Times online din't mention this; it would probably have spoilt the sapient attitude. But Fred and George are a kind of tricksters, or pranksters, like Coyote in Native American myth, or Loki in Norse mythology. I doubt that Fred and George would be equally happy working elsewhere in Diagon Alley. Their grand finale in HPOP is certainly wonderful: first the long fireworks and the indoor swamp, to help get rid of Umbridge, then defying her right in front of her when they "Accio!" their brooms and leave, and at last our seeing them outlined against "the glorious sunset" as they ride off. No ordinary shopkeepers, surely.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, July 03, 2007 at 05:18:49 PM (EDT)
Rats! It's July third, and Binder still hasn't quite got it together, Sheena. Ali-Pat's right--he's a tease. Oh, well, still close.
Pia Susanna, I thought Fred's and George's exits were brilliant; business really does suit them. They do loads more research for marketing purposes than it seems they ever did for class.
IDMT, about the horrible book: you should write books yourself. You indulge in so much fiction writing on here.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Tuesday, July 03, 2007 at 02:36:29 PM (EDT)
Hi ACC, Yes, you're right about the book; I've said before, in this GB, that I found it sloppily written and edited. It's full of journalistic clichés. The Riverside (is that the right name?) project is treated at quite excessive length, and the "I want women" thing is vulgar. I don't know enough about AR always to tell which statements are true, which false, but to me it was terribly dull to read the whole text through, as I did because I had decided to do so, and for no better reason. And if he says the book is full of lies, then I see no reason not to believe him.
IDMT, it's possible that, in other circumstances, one might find it mildly entertaining. Still, I feel sorry for AR. How would you cope if somebody had written an unreliable biography about you, and some people referred to it as gospel truth, more or less, years later? I'm sure I'd feel upset and humiliated; also, haunted by my past.
Glowbox, thanks for the link! Really nice pic, and a lovely comment ("Rickman was splendidly sardonic as the narrator"). Did you, or anyone else, notice that the new HP film is reviewed in the same issue of The Times online? Sadly, AR isn't mentioned there; few of the actors are. There is too much about business stuff, distribution, for instance. How like The Times that the decision of Fred and George Weasley to leave Hogwarts for "the world of retail" is applauded!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, July 03, 2007 at 09:42:15 AM (EDT)
Yummy picture and good critique: The Ground Beneath Her Feet
Glowbox
France - Tuesday, July 03, 2007 at 05:23:36 AM (EDT)
I read that book and thought it was very poorly written, with someone filling in the blanks indiscriminantly, using psychobabble disguised as information, and basicially describing every single movie,and play that Rickman had been in and confusing his characters with himself. Very tedious reading. The irritiation of finding oneself psychoanalyzed by a stranger and having one's life interpretted by someone who is getting it all wrong must be aggravating. The biggest crime was making it so bloody boring.
ACC
- Tuesday, July 03, 2007 at 03:25:08 AM (EDT)
Hi Sheena,
Thanks for the info on the release, from the trailers it looks like a funny pic. And You should get Nobel Son soon. It got snapped up for distribution very quickly at Tribeca, and the buzz around it was so tiny at first, but then very well-liked by the end of the showings.
Hiya pia,
Always good to hear your perspectives. Thanks for keeping folks active! Sorry I forgot to say tag!
And sorry to hear about Salman Rushdie. I really enjoyed his monolog at the NY Lit festival this year, it was really exceptional and from what I've skimmed in waiting lines his writings are always very rich and thoughtful.
In an odd note, I saw someone once before at a public literary event claiming to be Rushdie, just before giving an almost purposefully aggravative speech. I get the impression now it was a lampoon against him by someone who felt offended in the Islamic community. Still, it just goes to show you'll never really know if you've really received your information from the source, or who exactly that source really is. I suppose that's just modern living.
Horrible book? Ah, you must mean the biography. If no one else will touch this topic, I will. I got it for a buck online a while back and chopped through it, expecting nothing, and so probably not as let down. If you're hungry for juicy, deep dark private, and utterly crucifying and humiliating secrets, agreed, there are none. But if you're reading in a doctor's office with it as your emergency entertainment, the description of that particular era of theater in London is interesting. Actually, I felt the lack of embarrassing fan-gurlish skittle twaddling to be such a relief (by contrast apparently), though it would have been nice to read more discussion on his experience on theater and story/character psychology. I don't want to read about his life, I want to read about how to write a good story, and on how his experiences make for good learning material. It would be great to hear it from one of life's master pompous villains.
I don't know about disrespectful as it was written, per se. The content was completely benign on face value. If it had been the key to every lock it would have been damned for being invasive and disrespectful. So in a way this book had no chance anyway. But the content provided could barely be considered related to Rickman at all, so there really is no argument to be had either way.
What I see is someone who started a book, was turned down for an authorized conversation with her target subject, and then after being refused a dialog from his juggernaut fame machine, kept working at the project anyway, piecing together tangential work about the London theater scene in order to create inferences on a particular common personality in that era as a means to infer what she thought about Rickman. It's a very tricky legal-ese that says something without actually saying it. To go to all that trouble even after the ship had sailed on the project also says the author is probably a very passionate Rickman acolyte, and really wanted a piece of his persona, even at his disapproval, while still somehow preserving her reverence for the specimen in her mind. It's rather sordid, actually. But I kind of feel sorry for her.
I wish she had been braver, or that her editor had let her be, because it was unrevealing and entirely too venerable for the class of research it had become once it was unauthorized, and she was apparently shunted from interviewing anyone really able to share a good story that had meaning beyond the banal and (to me uninteresting) details about his life.
As for feeling sorry, well, if he's calling it a horrible book, then he's dropped more of his cards on the table than she has, as that points to a personal attack from him. In daring to control some part of his persona, if you think about it, this woman has apparently tripped on a very sensitive need for control from his people. So it's still a telling little speculative dance between the handlers and the feeders so to speak. As with most things like this, she was probably an uber-sensitive fan, was given the brush off from third in command or something and was told he'd be told about her little project, got the brush off again from some follow up calls, and then finally maybe he was told about it and said "hey, yah, sure!" and then his agent at the time went "sure thing Alan, we'll tell her just that... suuuurre thing..." and of course her treatment was pitched in the trash bin immediately the minute he left for shooting, and some public appearance look alike gets his jacket tugged at a bar after too many pints the next month, and she thanks him profusely for being godlike and perfect, and he tells her she's a cow and staggers off to pee and become even more un-rick-manly because they don't pay him enough to be good to little children AND the women... she calls the agent again, who tells her he wants nekkid pics and panties... at master Rickman's request, of course... so she shows up weeping at a stage door or something, pelting him with the granny specials, and he's all "madfan! madfan! squeee!" So of course by the time someone accidentally puts her actual letter down somewhere he can get to it, and he finally reads it, he remembers the not so fresh feeling he got the last time her panties met his face and he's already decided d*mn sure he's not working with THAT sort of woman on HIS biography. ... And so that was my summer vacation. The end. Actor is safely clueless, fans are safely protected from truth, box office royalties are defended from pesky egalitarian socialist writer scarypeople, and no one knows where anything comes from! The green, man, it's people! Arrg!
... No no, seriously though, all said it's the mildest little bio. Nothing even to get in arms about. But perhaps the point in writing it was to prove if the guy wasn't participating with her, then she wasn't going to put the flowery rose petals at his feet that he could have gotten had he granted an interview and an authorization.
At which point, why bother. God, get a room. Both of them. If they're both so frothed up at each other...
And besides, I'd bet he's probably never even called it a horrible book. He was probably being polite as some retired librarian shook her head at all the typos in front of him, as it's the most typo filled thing I've ever read in print, and whether that's due to sabotage-grade lazy editing or a writer tragically under-equipped with no spell check we'll never know. That would be my guess. He's sitting there thinking... Y KANT MAUREEN READ?!? Dammm eeet.
And then he goes and makes a Reading poster, cause goshdarnit, thasso sad.
Of course, I'm kinda not feelin in the spellcheck mood either. Apologies, peeps. Night!
IDMT
NYC, - Tuesday, July 03, 2007 at 12:40:55 AM (EDT)
I got the impression Alan was, while answering truthfully, also fooing around with the guy. You know, having fun playing the straight man. You can hear how much the interviewer is laughing. We can't see Alan's body language or if he's smiling but the interviewer could and most likely picked up on that. Anyway, loved 'em both (the interviews). Thank you, Susan!
pia susanna, Ali-Pat is probably referring to the photo of Alan with the mike on teh same page as the interviews. Nope, no videos.
Beth
- Monday, July 02, 2007 at 06:28:18 PM (EDT)
hello all, hope all you Canadians are having a great CANADA DAY weekend
Just want to let you all know , that Perfume is going to be out on dvd July 24th. I was in a local video store and saw it advertised. Can't wait.
well thats it for now, take care all. Lynn
Lynn <pyewacket003@aol.comfoo>
Ottawa, Canada - Monday, July 02, 2007 at 05:38:29 PM (EDT)
Ali-Pat: Yes, I understand what you mean, but I don't quite agree (I normally agree with you!). I do feel sorry for AR; he must feel pursued by "that horrible book". Yes, possibly a bit mellow during that second interview? But what do you mean about his grabbing the mike? These were radio interviews, surely -- or was it only me who heard, but didn't see them??
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Monday, July 02, 2007 at 05:24:22 PM (EDT)
I just LOVE Alan Rickman. He is a fabulous actor. Lovely to look at and when he speaks, it gives me chills.
Elizabeth <razzberries@verizon.netfoo>
Santa Fe, Tx USA - Monday, July 02, 2007 at 01:14:52 PM (EDT)
From the Manchester Evening News
"Rickman, as the other lover, is also the narrator and shoulders the whole script with supreme aplomb, striking a tone that is both authorial and amusing."
It must have taken a lot of effort to pull off this performance. (I'd still rather have seen Tango or LLD though, to be honest.) Bravo to AR for getting involved. There are photos and first hand reports at Claudia's GB, BTW. Thanks again Sue.
Renie
I'm only through Chapter 3 of the book, - Sunday, July 01, 2007 at 10:33:29 AM (EDT)
I dunno pia susanna, I thought the Phil Wood interview was kind of fun! AR is usually so cautious with the press it was delightful to hear him loosen up a little. I suppose the Green Room wine selection played a part in it, or at least that's what it sounded like (LOL)! Looked that way, too--he grabbed the mike away from the interviewer. Wish I had a video of that.
I wonder if it is possible that the performance of The Ground Beneath Her Feet was recorded or if there are plans to issue a recording, either audio or video? Certainly hope so! This is one event I am really sorry I missed. Not sorry on the scale of missing Les Liaisons Dangereuses but at least sorry on the scale of missing Tango at the End of Winter.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Sunday, July 01, 2007 at 08:16:51 AM (EDT)
Susan, R, Pat: I'd have loved to see and hear the opera, but had no opportunity to go to Manchester at present. I suppose tickets were difficult to obtain in any case, for that one performance. I heard both interviews; yes, the first one is nice, in fact unusually good and well-informed, or so I thought. But it's a pity that AR always has to explain patiently that he has starred in many, many other films than DH & RHPT. The second interview is rather silly. I never heard AR so angry and arrogant when interviewed in other contexts. Did anybody else get the impression that the speech impediment thing had been simply invented by Paton? A ghastly book; I suppose we're all aware of the fact that, according to AR, who ought to know, it's full of lies. I thought is was an outstanding example of sloppy writing and sloppy editing. But it's sad that AR still feels hurt by references to it. He's a great actor; she is only a journalist of the most vulgar kind.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Saturday, June 30, 2007 at 05:19:36 PM (EDT)
Those were great interviews, especially the first one. Too bad we all can't hear him as the narrator--I bet it's wonderful, just for his part of it. I really liked AR's response when she asked about his villain roles being the ones that most people know. I suppose that's true for some, but most Rickman fans can list a whole bunch that aren't in that genre at all--and he named two of my favorites.
And thanks for the updates about John Gissing. I was ready to buy it yesterday morning and noticed that the message was still the same. So I'll keep watching for it.
Pat
Pat <eeyore6771@comcast.netfoo>
Federal Way, WA USA - Saturday, June 30, 2007 at 11:53:35 AM (EDT)
That Mike Binder guy is a real tease, isn't he? Still, I live in hope. Can't help thinking your petition helped bring this about, Sheena, and I thank you much!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, June 30, 2007 at 07:40:58 AM (EDT)
Mike Binder has updated his MySpace with the latest info on The Search for John Gissing There is a slight delay but he hopes to have it up for sale next week. Read the blog entry for the details :-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Friday, June 29, 2007 at 07:50:25 PM (EDT)
Don't miss those interviews!--in the first AR is relaxed and very engaged, animated, laughing even. In the second he recoils, appalled, at the interviewer and references to "that book" LOL-I love it when he disses that piece of JUNK, MP's "book".
Some more accolades for our consumate villain:
From the SF Chronicle Culture blog:
"And Hans Gruber (memorably played by Alan Rickman, with immmmmmposssssibly arrrrrrch and rounddd vocal tonesssss) is another reason to praise Die Hard. There's a basic principle of storytelling Hollywood often forgets in action films -- namely, your hero is only as tough as the villain he takes on... Rickman's Gruber -- smooth, swift, smart and deadly -- is both the opposite of Willis' earthy, plain-guy McClane and entirely similar. McClane is good at improvising; so, in one of the movie's best scenes, is Gruber. . . . we'll always have Nakatomi Plaza."
From Daily Yomiuri Online:
"Above all, the new movie is lacking Alan Rickman's perfect villain. ("No, I'm an exceptional thief," is still among cinema's most memorable rejoinders.) This time around, Olyphant does his best as a super-smooth mastermind in the Rickman mold, but there's no beating the original, and perhaps the filmmakers should never have tried. Ultimately, it's pointless to compare the new movie with the original. Since the first Die Hard was arguably the best action movie ever made...."
R ithese reviewers don't even *mention* the hand-iwork in DH, which slays me . . . every time.
"Just *wound* them.", - Friday, June 29, 2007 at 04:03:02 PM (EDT)
Manchester radio interview link for Susan.
R, again.
Thanks, Susan for this., - Friday, June 29, 2007 at 02:30:43 PM (EDT)
Back on the DH4 front, many reviewers are revisiting AR's turn in their critiques of the new movie.
Here's a snippet:
"The original 1988 "Die Hard" gave us a terrific villain, Hans Gruber, played by Alan Rickman. His crew was a gang of no-nonsense Swedes. I always watch "Die Hard" for Rickman's performance. There is the scene where Gruber introduces himself to the assembled hostages and he makes a slight shrug. That shrug is a brilliant, non-verbal display of efficiency, disassociation, and command. And how about when Gruber runs into McClane? This has become an essential piece of the "Die Hard" template.
What about the duet between Gruber and Harry Ellis (Hart Bochner)?
Unfortunately, this time, McClane is up against a rather shallow villain, Thomas Gabriel (Timothy Olyphant). He's an angry stockbroker with a very hot, super-intelligent girlfriend, Mai (Maggie Q)." [End snippet]
I agree with the Gruber shrug. Another example of how AR uses his whole body in acting so well. But a few mistakes by that reviewer. In the new DH film, ****WARNING MAJOR SPOILERS***
...the villain is NOT a stockbroker in the least. The "fire sale" attack upon the US is engineered by Thomas Gabriel, who was fired by DOD when he told them the US was vulnerable to such an attack. (The classic "I told them and they didn't believe me--those fools--now, now I shall unleash the fury of my knowledge upon those ungrateful ****'s.) The "villain" is not wall street, but actually a cyber-thief with a large bone to pick. He's in black emo clothes, with a black watchband for God's sake. (Kind of reminded me of Toby M in Spiderman 3 in the club, not a good thing for a villain to do.)
***END SPOILERS BUT DISCUSSION CONTINUES****
BW does a fine job, actually in the movie, there are homages and running gags from the first film (e.g., another FBI agent named Johnson) and visual send-ups. The movie scene stealer this time is Justin Long, Brandon from GQ, with sprigs of facial hair but that same "Ah, Commander?" voice. ("I knew it was real!" LOL) The banter is funny enough, lots of cable TV type stand-in expletives for the F-word, and you'll notice a few scenes where the redubbing on Justin is awful---he's cursing longer and worse that the audio overdub. That was to get rid of the R rating (just as happened in GQ). Women don't really figure in this film, Maggie Q could be a guy the way she gets beat up by BW, even if she is in high boots. Be prepared for lots of action and shoot 'em ups. Overall, the editing is the real star, keep it moving, don't ask questions, and those bad guys take a licking and keep on kicking to the point of absurdity.
I watched DH with family the night before we saw DH4--that was the *very* thing to do, I recommend it highly.
Renie
Ah, Hans. You're still the best., - Friday, June 29, 2007 at 02:28:09 PM (EDT)
AR is performing in Manchester tonight. Yesterday he gave two interviews to BBC Manchester radio, which you can hear at http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2007/06/29/290607_alan_rickman_interview__feature.shtml and a blessing on anyone who makes this a link.
Susan
- Friday, June 29, 2007 at 02:11:10 PM (EDT)
A wonderful article on Hamlet, AR and Director Robert Sturua> Oh, to have been there.
Interchange Between Georgian Director and British Actor "rare opportunity"
By Alan Blyth
A short, dramatic extract from Robert Sturua's Hamlet was the captivating opening to Masterclass, a fifty-minute event featuring the world-renowned Georgian theatrical director, Robert Sturua, and his long-time friend, the award-winning British actor, Alan Rickman, which was performed at the Rustaveli Theatre Sunday, June 17. Throughout this event, Hamlet's sword, planted in a block, stood upright centre-stage as a potent reminder of the key connection between the two men: Rickman played Hamlet at the Riverside Studio in England in 1992, under Sturua's direction.
Sturua and Rickman, with the aid of an interpreter, talked about their association, which goes back about 25 years, and their experience of working together on Hamlet provided an anchor for many witty anecdotes. In the course of this dialogue, Rickman mentioned that he had had to learn how to work with Sturua, as his style of direction was so different from the style that Rickman was used to. Rickman vividly recalled how they had had only five weeks to rehearse Hamlet, and that after the first week had elapsed, they had only rehearsed Act 1, Scene 1, and Rickman, the main protagonist in the play, had neither said nor done anything in that time. This had caused him some dismay, however things worked out well in the end. Rickman emphasized that it had been an absolute pleasure to work with Sturua on that play.
Questions from the audience were wide-ranging. Sturua was asked about censorship during the Soviet era, and how things had changed since then. He gave a brief reply, in which he said that despite the difficulties they got their message through using the "language of the theatre". He chose not to elaborate on this, and said that he did not want to talk about politics.
Rickman, whose short visit to Tbiilisi was partly funded by the British Council, revealed that he had wanted to be an actor since the age of seven, when he had had a role in a school play. He added that he is probably best known in Georgia for his portrayal of Professor Severus Snipe in the Harry Potter movies. Asked whether it was difficult to be an actor, he replied: "It's difficult to be unemployed, it's difficult to be a coal miner, it's difficult to be a single mother... life as an actor is blessed."
When Rickman was questioned about what it's like to act in sex scenes in movies, he candidly revealed that such scenes are unromantic: with a hundred people watching, you take your clothes off, say "Hello" to someone you don't know, worry about your body because you are old and fat, and you just wonder what the poor girl is thinking about.
Rickman ended the Masterclass with a rendition of the monologue, "All the World's a Stage..." and following that the audience rose to their feet and their applause lasted for a full four minutes, while bows were taken. It's worth mentioning that at this point Sturua stayed mainly in the background and allowed Rickman to take the limelight.
Renie
- Friday, June 29, 2007 at 01:46:59 PM (EDT)
A review of Die Hard 4 in The Guardian on-line today mentions AR: BW starred "in 1988 in the action classic Die Hard, taking on 'terrorists', which in those innocent days meant our very own Alan Rickman with a comedy German accent". In both senses quite a good review, though marred by a certain ageism. The critic is glad that BW doesn't show his arms in DH4, and hopes he won't appear at all in DH5, supposing there will be one.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, June 29, 2007 at 09:38:28 AM (EDT)
Changhwa, I suppose that should be. Sorry!
pia susanna
- Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 04:57:49 PM (EDT)
Thanks to Ali-Pat and Sheena for their info; Sheffe for her response -- yes, I'm sure AR gets 100% involved, body and mind, in any part he's playing at the moment! Also, to Changhua for the translation. Olyphant's humility "becomes him well". :)
I suppose all of you have heard/read about the latest Salman Rushdie affair, and the new death threat. Let's hope and pray that nobody performing or watching "The Ground Beneath Her Feet" tomorrow will be in any danger.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 04:55:00 PM (EDT)
From the Pending Projects front, I learned from another GB that Acts of Charity, in which AR is set to play an ex-pat journalist named Fenchurch, is now being called We're Here to Help according to IMDB
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 09:11:57 AM (EDT)
Today is the Harry Potter premiere in Tokyo and I won't be there, even though I'm so close :(. But AR won't attend anyway, will he?
Pia Susanna: R's snippet just says that bad guy Timothy Olyphant in Die Hard 4 can't compete at all with the performances of Jeremy Irons and Alan Rickman.
Changhwa
Seoul, Korea - Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 09:44:55 PM (EDT)
Sheena, it's so nice to see this finally happen!
Pia Susanna, I only meant that he engages as much of his body as possible in a role. Some people simply can't use their non-dominant sides effectively, and that shows up in performance. With AR I'm always aware that all of him is present in the role, including his left-side bits!
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 06:56:16 PM (EDT)
A lady in the group I run just checked and the announcement has now gone up at Mike Binder's official website. The Search for John Gissing goes on sale on Friday 29th June!
Sheena <dragon@amberdragonfoo>
Berkshire UK - Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 03:10:56 PM (EDT)
Hi Sheffe, and thanks for your response. Your explanation is probably correct; I didn't stop to consider what a computer might have done to that sequence where AR is painting with light. You say he uses both hands (though not for writing); do you mean, more than other people do? (Still Trivial Pursuits!)
Glowbox: Sue mentioned this opera on 1 June (I believe)on the News page. I was hoping somebody from the UK, or elsewhere, would put in an appearance at Manchester and give us a report or review here.
R: Help! I don't know any German! Could somebody please translate?
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 08:14:03 AM (EDT)
"Wahrend Oberbosewicht Timothy Olyphant in seiner Rolle austauschbar bleibt und sich in keiner Sekunde mit einem Jeremy Irons oder Alan Rickman messen kann, gefallt dessen Untergebene Maggie Q umso mehr und darf sich in einer der starksten Szenen des Filmes in einem Fight mit McClane unter Beweis stellen."
Yup.
R
- Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 03:28:29 AM (EDT)
Thanks for that, Georgiana - I hadn't realised the link either. And here's another really exciting project that AR is involved in:Manchester Festival.
Here's the relevant bit from right near the end of the article:Ground Beneath Her Feet: Adapted from the book, the composer Victoria Borisova-Ollas has turned Salman Rushdie's epic novel of love, celebrity and tragic desire into a full-length concert piece featuring the Hallé orchestra and Alan Rickman as the narrator.
Glowbox
France - Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 02:35:02 AM (EDT)
"Thanks for your response, Sheffe. If you're right about AR painting with light, wouldn't that mean that he wrote the words the "wrong" way around first, as if in a mirror? I'm left-handed myself, which I think has made me morbidly aware of such things . ". . :)"
Dear Pia Susanna,
If he wrote the words backwards (mirror writing) I think he'd probably have used his right hand, and they could have filmed him from the front with the words looking correct. I think they mirror-imaged the film picture, which makes him appear to be left-handed and turns the letters around the "right" way for viewing from the front. (This is pretty easy for a computer to do.) Otherwise they'd have had to shoot over his shoulder for us to see it properly, and we couldn't have watched his face without a second camera shot.
I'm not really left-handed, but my dad was, my husband is,
and I'm aware of the differences. I do some things left-handed, and can train myself to do things that way. I used to use two pairs of tweezers to tweak flatpack legs back to where they belonged when I was doing microscopic soldering. It was quicker and easier to use both hands. But I sort of doubt Alan has had a reason to learn to write with both hands! *grin*
Sheffe
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA - Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at 03:29:41 PM (EDT)
Hi Georgiana,
Thanks for pointing this out. I read about AR at the Georgian Book Festival recently; wasn't aware of the link with his Hamlet. Did anybody here see that production?
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at 07:55:59 AM (EDT)
Thanks for your response, Sheffe. If you're right about AR painting with light, wouldn't that mean that he wrote the words the "wrong" way around first, as if in a mirror? I'm left-handed myself, which I think has made me morbidly aware of such things . . . :)
Oh, and I believe he writes with his right hand as de Valera too, in prison. This just supports what you say, of course.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at 07:48:36 AM (EDT)
Very interesting, Glowbox. He was at the Georgian Book Festival (not the deep South, mind you!) at the invitation of Robert Sturua, who directed him in "Hamlet" a few years ago.
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, June 25, 2007 at 10:56:07 PM (EDT)
Dear Pia Susanna,
Hello! I'm not sure, but I think that they turned the "Painting with Light" sequence around so that we could see the words spelled out correctly. AR uses both hands, but seems to be right-handed for writing (and the majority of wand-waving.) Every shot I've ever seen of him writing shows him using his right hand.
Nice to see you all again.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA - Monday, June 25, 2007 at 05:33:40 PM (EDT)
This belongs to the Department of Trivial Pursuits, I'm afraid. Have you seen AR painting and writing with light? He uses his left hand here; I can't help wondering why. Surely he's right-handed? Does he paint with light in a mirror somehow, writing the words the "wrong" way? As Snape, he holds his wand in his right hand in the duel scene (HPCS), and writes with a quill held with the same hand (HPPS/HPSS, I think). Elsewhere, though, Snape brandishes his wand in his left hand, closing window shutters (if that's what they are) magically. But this may be simply because the windows happen to be on his left as he enters the room.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Monday, June 25, 2007 at 09:57:16 AM (EDT)
Julia, the DVD of "The Search for John Gissing" is not available yet. As stated in the link I provided Mike Binder will be making it available in a couple of weeks. It will be sold via his website. He has four so not sure if he means his MySpace or one of the others at the moment. So you didn't miss a memo or anything, don't worry I will try to keep everyone posted. Thanks for signing the petition :-)
IDMT I will be sure to post a link here when I know anything further. That is if I can as I can't always post here. i know what the problem is in my case I am just not sure why it is intermittent and neither is Suzanne. *Shrugs* such is life. I have seen "The Search for John Gissing" and it is a very good film very funny in places. I hope we get to see "Nobel Son" this side of the pond, actually i hope it gets released fullstop as I really don't want to have to fight for the release of another film... ;-)
Thanks again to everyone who signed the petition and helped to publicise it. Hopefully it has all paid off and soon everyone should be able to buy the DVD :-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Saturday, June 23, 2007 at 09:32:57 AM (EDT)
Relax, IDMT! We LIKE you! I had been missing you. There is always something unexpected and intriguing about your posts.
Have only seen the Nobel Son trailer so far, but the film does seem funny, what with this totally narcissistic, totally selfish professor that AR plays and, it seems, enjoys playing. I suppose he has met some actors with a similar attitude . . . :)
Will anybody go to Manchester next week for that rock opera with AR as narrator?
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Saturday, June 23, 2007 at 08:34:30 AM (EDT)
Alipat, you are loved. You have a wonderful booklist and are fabu all by your lonesome. I'm just saying, if there is a totem of who's the most loyal fan, defined by who is singled out as unloyal, I'm just not participating. You've seen Sheffe try and take a bite out of me, I'm sure. It's just not cool. We're all fans, it's all good. No sheriff required. Or else we're gonna fight for the star, and I'm dogged enough to do it ;)
That being said, somebody please post the "The Search for John Gissing" link when it becomes live. Or the link to get the DVD or whatever. It looks almost as funny as Nobel Son. This guy is fabulous when it's comedy - like trying to figure out which kid is after him or what have you. Hopefully you'll all get to see that one soon. It's terribly funny. No, really. Well worth a viewing.
But yes, there is a big error message nine times out of ten when people post, so I think this can officially be considered an insiders club and not a reflection that everybody took their ball and went home. And agreed, it IS really expensive to host a site like this, so it's nothing bad admitting that. Just educational.
But whichever. There's enough good reviews of Nobel Son to tide everybody. It's a lark. The kids will all LOVE eeet.
And Rickman shows he's still got a wickedly funny sense of humor and is not afraid to rock the boat. Hopefully this bottle shock thing will be equally fun for all... except maybe the poor folks it was about. The director admitted it was a bold bash at his dad - also a chem professor when he was living. So how many siblings does HE have I wonder?
IDMT
- Friday, June 22, 2007 at 11:50:44 PM (EDT)
From Timothy Olyphant, the guy who plays the villain in DH 4:
"I promise you that you will enjoy." The "Die Hard" franchise is known for its great bad guys, starting with Alan Rickman in the original film and continuing with William Sadler and Jeremy Irons.
Will Olyphant's Thomas Gabriel top them? Not necessarily, he says. "I went into it without thinking that I had to outdo the villain played so deliciously by Alan Rickman in the first film," the actor says. "It's a slippery slope, as an actor, to go down that line of thinking. You just can't go on the set thinking, 'I'll never do as good as that guy."' He did watch the first "Die Hard" film several times, however, to prepare for his role. "It's still a great movie that holds up," Olyphant says. "The characters are memorable. If anything, I wanted to find something that Alan Rickman did and stick it in somewhere as a little homage." [End snippet]
Most of the articles/reviews which mention AR cite him as a seminal and original prototype of the cool, intelligent and suave "bad guy". The UK Guardian described Alan Rickman as "co-starring" with Bruce Willlis in DH.
Shoot the glass, I say.
Renie
- Friday, June 22, 2007 at 01:53:33 PM (EDT)
From today's Entertainment Weekly (The EW 100 - The Stars We Love right Now Issue): Number 4 - Alan Rickman Most Valuable Player. Age 61. Why Him? As the icy, humorless magic instructor Severus Snape in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Opening July 11), Rickman may not be on screen long-but he owns every minute. He's magnificently intimidating, whether jousting with Daniel Radcliffe's Harry or turning a simple retort ("No idea") into a mini-symphony of contempt. A stage veteran, Rickman can go from villainous (Die Hard) to heartbreaking (Truly Madly Deeply). NEXT Hes the lecherous Judge Turpin opposit Johnny Depp in Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd.
Chris
NJ - Friday, June 22, 2007 at 01:43:28 PM (EDT)
AR obviously can't resist an invitation to travel; he's been at the Georgia Book Festival: Georgian Times article
Glowbox
France - Friday, June 22, 2007 at 12:53:42 AM (EDT)
I signed the petition to release TSFJG, but I must have missed the memo about signing up to get a copy of the DVD! How do I get my hot little hands on it? I would plead for piracy, but that wouldn't be fair to Mike Binder, who is being so lovely and generous in putting out the movie at all!
Julia
Canada - Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 08:20:24 PM (EDT)
You are welcome, Ali-Pat. But, alas, I've been a bit remiss the past few weeks--too much travel, too little time. Thanks for the information about "Snow Cake" at the Varsity--I will probably miss that, since I've been able to watch the British DVD at home.
Georgiana Ellis
Seattle - Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 06:55:58 PM (EDT)
Sigh. Mother always warned me there would be days like this.
Ali-Pat
- Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 02:50:06 PM (EDT)
Sheena, that is fabulous news!!! Finally, guess those votes did count for something!! I am so excited and will be there for my copy of Gissing too.
19 more days guys to wait for the movie and 29 more for book, but heck, who's counting? (HA HA)
Have a great afternoon all. Off to do some gardening. I bought some pretty yellow daises to plant and they should look pretty in my garden.
Pam
MA USA - Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 01:49:38 PM (EDT)
News on "The Search for John Gissing" I just checked Mike Binder's MySpace and he has finally updated with news... he hasn't posted since May and finally he posted again :-) Anyway here is the post Mike Binder's MySpace He says we should have the DVD in a couple of weeks! Before anyone says anything about if it is Mike's MySpace, it is definitely his MySpace as he links to it from his official website ;-)
Thanks to everyone who has signed and helped with publicise the petition. :-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 08:30:35 AM (EDT)
Oh good lord. Enough with the drama. Instead of so frequently assuming the worst possible intention of anyone ever to set foot on this message board, how about taking a few minutes to ponder the POSITIVE inference for once. All the brow beating for no reason really just isn't needed and casts a lot of pall over everyone in the readership for no reason.
The inference I was making is that before anyone freak out about why the site can be difficult to post to, that you also consider the time and effort it takes to run a highly trafficed website. Ergo, if you're not paying this woman anything, be courtious and understanding before you start grouching and moaning that this or that doesn't work. But oh no, never to be denied a chance at drama... it's really just sad.
Anyway, I hope every one of you has a marvelous evening. It's certainly an amazing night here in the city. Cheers!
IDMT
NYC, - Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 01:21:25 AM (EDT)
Hello all you great AR Fans out there. Just checking things out, I havn't posted here in a while. I've been traveling a lot as of late, so I'm a bit out of the loop as to AR Happenings. I did see Snow Cake (Two nights in a row) and loved it!! Ali-Pat, I'll be in your area on business in August. I wish/hope AR has some projects in NY sometime in the future.
CHRISTINE
PORTSMOUTH, nh - Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 10:26:09 PM (EDT)
Good news for anybody in the Seattle area! I have just learned that SNOW CAKE will be at Seattle's Varsity Theater for a week's run July 6-12.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 04:36:33 PM (EDT)
Well, now this is bazaar. I've tried posting here for the last year and couldn't but now that I can't access the main page I can post.
I've missed being able to read the comments to see what AR is up to these days.
Is there a reason for the error page--the one that shows the parent directory? That's all I've been getting for a while now. I managed to link here from another AR site.
Pat
Pat <eeyore6771@comcast.netfoo>
Federal Way, WA USA - Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 03:19:21 AM (EDT)
While we are thanking people, let's not forget Georgiana, who tirelessly keeps the News page up to date. Thanks, Georgiana!!!!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 07:19:42 AM (EDT)
You're welcome, Pam.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Monday, June 18, 2007 at 05:12:03 PM (EDT)
I just wanted to say hi to everyone and let you guys know that I still visit too. I rarely post as it seems like a lot of people are more on the ball with AR stuff than me lately. ( I still enjoy his movies and reading anything I can get my hands on about him though)
Suzanne is a very kind and wonderful person and I have enjoyed her GB for approximately 4 years or so now. Thanks Suzanne! Thanks Ali-Pat and Pia and others that continue to bring us all the latest news etc.
If Mary from Warwick RI posts, Mary have you heard whether or not Jason Issacs is going to be in RI for the HP book party this year? It sounded so good the way you described it the last time, a few of us were wondering if he were toi be there again as we would love to meet him.
Anyway, I came out of lurkdom to let you know that I still visit and enjoy everyones posts. Keep up the good work one and all. Maybe others should come out of lurkdom and just say now and then? Take care and have a nice day/evening.
Pam
MA USA - Monday, June 18, 2007 at 02:41:55 PM (EDT)
Has anyone else here seen Die Hard as presented by the 30-Second Bunnies Theatre? Yes, you read that right. Go here:
http://www.starz.com/features/bunnyclub/die_hard/index.html
The "bunny" version of Hans has to be seen (and heard) to be believed.
MA
- Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 10:49:57 PM (EDT)
Good evening all, i'm just sitting here in my very hot flat, playing on my computer , and thought i'd come by and check out the guestbook tonight.
Nothing on tonight. I have a very nice morning today. I watch again Snow Cake. I'm so loving my dvd, and i'm almost tempted to watch it again tonight.
Is everyone how bought it also enjoying it? i'm sure you are. Does anyone know if Parfume is coming to dvd anytime soon?
well i'll let you go , have a very good evening.
cheers.
Lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 08:28:58 PM (EDT)
IDMT, I don't know why there are so few posters here, but I am certain it has nothing to do with throwing money at the feet of our webmistress. I don't know of a single Rickman fan site that depends on monetary contributions from posters--all are run by dedicated fans who give of their time and treasure purely in support of other fans. I am also certain that if Suzanne were able to post here and set you straight she would in a heartbeat. She has had some devastating computer problems which I hope she is close to overcoming because I miss her terribly. In the meantime, please have a little more patience and respect for one of the kindest, most generous creatures ever to grace this planet.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 08:18:11 AM (EDT)
Hi Pia. Agreed, it's been quiet from the looks of it. I noticed if you hit the post-a-comment page from certain locations, you get a file not found error message.
I use the Tor client when it looks like the ISP in my location hasn't refreshed their cache in a while, or has cached a site in a downed state. Coincidentally this is also the method people in China use to get around oppressive government restrictions on freedom of speech.
Anyhow a lot of people are probably seeing the downed page, which may account for a small number of active responders. That means it's either a private club now (looks around and blinks) or interests have waned. But I think it's a matter of getting what you pay for. We haven't thrown much money at the feet of this website owner, I don't suppose.
I did find it surprising that no one commented on Nobel Son. It seems to have found a distributor within a day of opening. Rickman doesn't seem to have much love for the character he's playing, or his fantasy offspring, but he's so naturally effective at being mean and oblivious that it pulls him through.
It's a funny parody of the Snape character, and a pop shot at intimidating people in general. Really shows the cards. Or a lack of ethical boundaries, I suppose. What kind of creature makes even the slit-eyed old Severus Snape shiver and blink?
Luuuuke... I am yooouuuurrr faaaaahhhhh thaaaah...
Bah. Take that, old man. Get in line.
And your little dentures, too.
Work twenty hours with no sleep and you'll scarf noodles too!
(In other words, a film worth paying the ten bucks for.)
IDMT
- Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 10:22:13 PM (EDT)
Thanks, Ali-Pat! I enjoyed the clip. Those back-to-earthers were probably rather common -- green-wavers, they were sometimes called, I think.("Wave" as a noun.) I thought AR's character looked a little like John Lennon. Didn't the scene strike you as very British, what with the reference to licensing hours, and perhaps other details, too?
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 04:02:32 PM (EDT)
Cool! A clip of the Shelley episode is now available on Claudia's site.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 09:59:53 AM (EDT)
I had never heard of the series either, nor had I heard a peep about AR's appearance in it--this is a real blast from the past. Someone on another Rickman board brought it to my attention. He plays a friend whom the title character invites over for a dinner party. AR's character is a kind of back-to-earther with pretensions (which are soundly mocked by Shelley before the party begins). This was filmed sometime in 1979 or 1980, and Alan looks so young and thin! He still has the soup bowl haircut from his Romeo and Juliet days plus a nice little beard. The moon-sized wire rim glasses he is wearing must be seen to be believed, however (LOL!). I am sure a clip from the show will end up on somebody's site--I'll keep an eye out.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, June 15, 2007 at 03:54:19 PM (EDT)
Thanks, Ali-Pat! I can't say I ever heard of this series before -- why is this? Have known people just like James Shelley! What kind of character does AR play?
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, June 15, 2007 at 08:25:42 AM (EDT)
Hello, Lynn-it is quiet, isn’t it? I guess we are all just sitting around waiting for the new Harry Potter film then the new Harry Potter book and finally the U.S. release of Snow Cake in September. In the meantime, anybody who can play Region 2 DVDs can check out the first season of the Britcom Shelley which has just been released on DVD. AR appears on an episode called “Nowt So Queer” and he looks soooo young! He appears about 15 minutes into the episode and is only on screen for about six minutes, but I found those six minutes are highly entertaining! More about the Shelley DVD here.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, June 15, 2007 at 07:29:08 AM (EDT)
Helloooooooooooooooooooo , is anyone out there? wow not much happening in the guestbook. guess everyone is out enjoying the fabulous weather, or you are all watching your dvd's of Snow Cake.
i'm going to watch mine on the weekend. i got it when it came out but haven't had time to see it. so i figured Sunday morning with a nice cup of tea i'll see it then.
I have seen it in the theatre but i can't wait to see it agian. Have a wonderful day?night. LYNN :-)
Lynn <Pyewacket003@aol.comfoo>
ottawa, canada - Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 09:15:49 PM (EDT)
How lovely, Barbara! Did you go to Edinburgh as well? Yes, you have seen much of "Rickman London", it seems, though AR's present street address appears to be a well-kept secret. Nice bit about SC in the air! I don't know about his agents -- perhaps they do watch this space??
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, June 11, 2007 at 05:19:05 PM (EDT)
I have just come back from a long trip around UK, Scotland, and Ireland and it was wonderful to see Snow cake on the Emirates flight list!!I went through westbourne grove and holland park on my way to my hotel. I was amazed at how cold London was in their Spring/Summer.I guess I come from a warmer climate. It seems that AR is everywhere even in the Air!! He was so good! I hope that his AGENTS read this! Bye.
Barbara the Australian <bpac350@hotmail.comfoo>
Warwick, Qld Australia - Monday, June 11, 2007 at 11:47:48 AM (EDT)
According to Amazon, the Region 1 DVD of Snow Cake will be relased in the U.S. on September 11, 2007 (ouch).
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, June 09, 2007 at 07:24:41 AM (EDT)
Snow Cake ALERT!
In the theatre magazine Famous thats out in ottawa, i was a release date for Snow Cake on dvd.
It's coming out June 12, 2007 YIPPY i can't wait. i'm sure all of you will also be in the stores getting their copies.
have a great weekend . and GO! SENS! GO! :-)
lynn
lynn
ottawa, canada - Saturday, June 02, 2007 at 05:41:50 PM (EDT)
Snowcake is now on cable tv if you have Movies-on-Demand with the Independent Film Channel listing. I have Time-Warner service and just viewed the film at home. It is wonderful and I highly recommend it.
Marie
El Paso, TX - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 02:11:33 PM (EDT)
Thank you, Glowbox, for both links! I like the "scenery-chewing, over-the-top, gooey-chocolate performance" bit. The reviewer is clearly a fan.
AR "is very much like god" . . . many of us may tend to agree, but what does it mean, really? That he is, in DH, omnipresent, omnipotent, in charge? Radiates supreme authority? Or what? Another fan wrote that, I suspect.
Today I saw an interview with BW in a mag; a long article published because of the new DH. A shock to find AR NOT mentioned. Perhaps BW, too, feels overshadowed by AR, just like KC in RHPoT.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 03:58:35 PM (EDT)
Glowbox, thanks for the links. Nobel Son sounds promising. Ali-Pat, no, I don't expect we'll see any flashbacks to DH. *sigh* But just knowing that Hans is considered the father of all action film bad guys, with a theme like the Ode to joy, is some comfort, don't you think? Jah.
Snippetfrom CHUD.com :
"I've seen (and enjoyed) other John McTiernan films, but after a single viewing I don't think he's even come close to topping the adventures of John McClane. I'm going to list off the things that I loved, just so you readers can have the chance to nod sagely and prepare to welcome me into the fold. The kinesis in the action sequences was perfect, with a believable momentum thanks largely, I suspect, to the editing of John F. Link and Frank J. Urioste. The quips and one-liners scored each and every times. The occasionally outrageous dialogue gets sold entirely by the cast. Alan Rickman is very much like god."
Italics added because it's so true . . .
Renie
At some point I will assemble my thoughts on Snow Cake and MNiRC, which I enjoyed tremendously with our very own Georgiana, - Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 02:51:25 PM (EDT)
Oh, I can't wait to see this film!! Take a look at the interview with AR. Nobel Son
Glowbox
France - Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 04:01:06 AM (EDT)
AR still in London and still socialising: Southbank party
Glowbox
France - Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 03:51:07 AM (EDT)
Ode to Joy? That is most definitely the "Hans theme"! Wonder if there will be a lot of flashbacks to the first film in this new one? My interest is suddenly piqued.
BTW, if you are interested in reading about how and why Hans has "Ode to Joy" as his theme, here is a citation to the article about how the music for Die Hard was written:
'I Just Put a Drone under Him...': Collage and Subversion in the Score of 'Die Hard' Robynn J. Stilwell
Music & Letters, Vol. 78, No. 4 (Nov., 1997), pp. 551-580.
It is not available online unless you have a subsription to JSTOR (sorry!).
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 08:33:07 AM (EDT)
The Ode to Joy is featured in at least one TV spot for "Live Free or Die Hard", the fourth in the Die Hard series. You can watch the spots here. Some finishing on the film is being done in SF.
Snippet from cinematical.com follows:
"The original Die Hard, released in 1988, is one of those movies that grabs you from the first moment. When we first meet Bruce Willis as reluctant hero John McClane, we find out he's a bit skittish about flying. It turns out, as he battles a gang of ruthless euro-thieves led by Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber and proceeds to kill them all with a mixture of automatic weapons fire, explosives and his trusty Beretta pistol, flying is pretty much the only thing he's skittish about. Die Hard was a milestone in action filmmaking and marked a new definition of heroic action star after several years of larger-than-life heroes personified by the likes of Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Die Hard spawned two sequels, each, although good movies in their own right, still somewhat of a pale imitation of the original. "
R
Marin , CA - Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 01:36:59 AM (EDT)
Saw last night on the net that My Name is Rachel Corrie will open in Sweden at the City Theatre of Gothenburg on 16 November. I suppose the play has been translated into Swedish, though this isn't mentioned. Rickman and Viner are, though.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 10:11:32 AM (EDT)
Yes, Glowbox, you're probably quite right. AR is certainly famous enough not to have to borrow any glitter from anyone else.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 09:12:06 AM (EDT)
Hi, pia susanna. I suppose AR was invited to the opening of the exhibition. I imagine he goes to such things because he has a genuine interest in art in general (he started out as a graphic artist after all). Then again, he might be a personal friend of the artist or something - who can say?!
Glowbox
France - Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 05:34:03 PM (EDT)
Thanks, Glowbox! I read today in The Observer (London) about this event, though AR and the others were not mentioned. It doesn't seem to have been much fun, groping about in mist like that, and all natural "floaters" in your eyes grotesquely much larger and darker than normal, according to the critic. Gormley is well known for his small sculpted "Gorms", as well as the magnificent "Angel of the North", an outsize sculpture. The critic thought "Blind Light" was more funfair than a work of art. Do you think AR chooses to go to such exhibitions if the artist is famous? Or for some other reason(s)?
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 04:37:31 PM (EDT)
AR is certainly in London at the moment. Here's a bit from an article in today's Independent Online: * Alan Rickman, Tessa Jowell, Juliet Stevenson, Jon Snow and Grayson Perry were among the guests bumping into one another inside Antony Gormley's new steam-filled glass box, Blind Light, at the Hayward Gallery on Wednesday. Visitors to the sculpture become the unnerved/liberated subjects, unable to see their hands groping for the exit.
Glowbox
France - Friday, May 18, 2007 at 05:14:42 AM (EDT)
Thanks, Ali-Pat -- I couldn't get past the first page of the site; was possibly too ready to assume it was my own fault. I couldn't stand listening to that little tune for long. Also, thank you for the link!
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Thursday, May 17, 2007 at 05:02:18 PM (EDT)
Finally, some confirmation that AR is associated with (or about to be associated with) Bottle Shock here.
I agree that you can learn a lot by watching Alan Rickman, but I can't get anything out of the DocFilm website! Is he in one of the documentaries? A clue, please, for those of us who are monoglots (unless you count Latin).
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Thursday, May 17, 2007 at 01:15:42 PM (EDT)
Alan Rickman is proof that it's possible to watch TV and to actually learn something. > http://www.docfilm.be/
DOCFILM PRODUCTIONS <maurice_michielsen@hotmail.comfoo>
Louvain, VB Belgium - Thursday, May 17, 2007 at 01:28:02 AM (EDT)
Hi, Does anybody know what AR will do this summer, where he will be? I may spend a fortnight or so in London -- don't ask me exactly when, it hasn't been decided yet. Of course I don't expect to see him, but it would be nice to know he's around. Pathetic, yes, I agree!
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, May 14, 2007 at 08:22:42 AM (EDT)
Hi, On youtube there is a nice shot of AR's backside in a short Noble Son preview.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JYm42Xq33w&mode=related&search=
fir
- Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 04:05:35 PM (EDT)
Wow, that was subtle. My scanning skills are just not what they used to be (blush). Seems like Bottle Shock might be the likely candidate then. Hope it measures up to Sideways.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, May 05, 2007 at 08:36:30 AM (EDT)
OT: The Scottish Nationalists won!! I'm so glad! A narrow victory, but still.
Rather more on topic: the original Die Hard has been voted the greatest action film ever. Alas, AR isn't mentioned. My source is today's Guardian Unlimited (net edition). You go to "Arts & entertainment", then to "More film news and reviews". The article is called "In brief: Die Hard still hardest."
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Saturday, May 05, 2007 at 08:34:22 AM (EDT)
Tonya: I didn't say or mean or imply that there might be a political statement in any narrow sense, just a preference for equality. And such a preference needn't exclude what you said about Amanda, or a simple aesthetic "thing" about school uniforms. AR's childhood IS clearly highly important to him -- as is often the case with artistic or creative people, I believe. So far, I agree.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Saturday, May 05, 2007 at 07:41:07 AM (EDT)
FYI...
A&E's Emmy Nominated Series
BREAKFAST WITH THE ARTS
May 6th, 2007 8:00 -10:00 AM EST
Host: Karina Huber
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2007 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This year the Tribeca Film Festival celebrates its Sixth Anniversary and we are there to talk to the people who make this star studded event one of the fastest growing film festivals in the world.
Featuring exclusive interviews with Robert De Niro, Jaime Kennedy, John Leguizamo, Eva Mendes, Adam Carolla, Matthew Perry, Alan Rickman, Mary Steenbergen and many more, this two - hour special goes deep inside the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival with the most talked about films and our celebrity spottings!
Join us as we check out the red carpets of some of the season's biggest premieres such as Spiderman 3 and Lucky You with the likes of Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Topher Grace, Drew Barrymore, Eric Bana and more!
See also: Breakfast with the Arts
Slope
Canada - Friday, May 04, 2007 at 07:55:23 PM (EDT)
Check out the last line of the interview you gave the link to, Ali-Pat, it says:
What’s next? RICKMAN: Nobel Son is still to come out and I hope to be doing a new film from its director Randall Miller this summer.
Could this be Bottle Shock?
Glowbox
France - Friday, May 04, 2007 at 07:45:28 PM (EDT)
Tonya, I can't find any evidence that AR is attached to Bottle Shock. I know it is to be directed by Randall Miller, the same guy who directed Nobel Son, but that's the only connection I see. If you learn anything else, please let us know!
Speaking of films on the horizon, apparently AR is still planning to make The Villa Golitsyn, which makes me very happy. See more here.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, May 04, 2007 at 03:13:23 PM (EDT)
Seems like his next movie is going to be something called "Bottle Shock." Does anyone know anything? You guys are usually pretty informed. (I lurk here a lot)
Also, about the school uniform thing, he did say they were "lovely" so I doubt it was any kind of a political statement. If he was a little tiddly, perhaps he was picturing that girl Amanda that he was madly in love with when they both were ten...
Tonya <tonya@yahoo.comfoo>
- Friday, May 04, 2007 at 12:46:11 PM (EDT)
PS Perhaps he approves of school uniforms as being egalitarian somehow? I believe left-wingers often have this attitude. I tend to agree.
pia susanna
- Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 09:40:41 AM (EDT)
Martha, I've found the article you mentioned, but, as I said, for some reason I couldn't use the address. Instead I Googled for "gawker" and "tribeca-film-festival" together, and hey presto, that article duly appeared, topping the list. The text is fairly silly, but, yes, AR IS said to have been drunk on that occasion (on Saturday), and, yes, he's also quoted as saying that he finds school uniforms lovely. There is nothing in the text as such on gamine-sex, but there is a reference to the Nobel Son trailer, so I suppose that bit is in the film.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 09:35:25 AM (EDT)
Here is the youtube link- worth watching!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GedoR4FsrEE
I hope Snowcake comes to Chicago!
martissima
Chicago, IL US - Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 03:48:52 PM (EDT)
Martha - Hello, I'm martha, too. Been around for years, though I don't post much any more. I sign with my state, maine, and was wondering if you would add a location to your signature so we won't be confused. Thanks, and welcome!
martha
maine, - Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 02:18:11 PM (EDT)
MA: yes, I've seen the Today interview with AR and Weaver. Pleasant mood here, and she seems so genuinely grateful for his compliments (touching his shoulder for a moment). The interview is at the Download Haven site, and also shown on Youtube.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 10:34:08 AM (EDT)
Hi Martha, Please could you link this interview or whatever it is? The address doesn't work for me. The gamine-sex stuff, the Alan-as-drunk rumour, the school uniform preference, all seems intriguing, and more than a little startling. A bit out of character, surely? There are allusions to this on the Download Haven site, but I can't find any link.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 10:28:13 AM (EDT)
Having had a long standing pedicure appointment, we missed the two o'clock premiere, but the trailer told some story of intrigue and Alan Rickman-on-gamine sex, so we'll blindly commend the movie. Also to be recommended is talking to a drunk Alan Rickman. Apropos of nothing but purely genius; Life is just a series of uniforms, isn't it?
Me: What's your favorite uniform?
Alan Rickman: "When it's appropriate, I do love school uniforms. Lovely."
from:
http://www.gawker.com/news/tribeca-film-festival/the-nobel-son-afterparty-at-tenjune-256292.php
Martha
- Monday, April 30, 2007 at 04:48:18 PM (EDT)
Snow Cake was released in the US in two places only on the April date listed. As the NY Times article says, it may have been released to coincide with National Autism Awareness Month in April.
******Snow Cake SPOILER******
Excerpt from April 29, 2007 NY Times article:
Hollywood Finds Its Disorder Du Jour
"Autism as a metaphor for the difficulty of human connections is especially prevalent in films about people who are considered highly functioning, like Ms. Weaver’s character, Linda, in “Snow Cake” (which opened Friday). When her grown daughter hitches a ride with Alex (Mr. Rickman) and dies in a car crash that is not his fault, he stays with Linda through the funeral. The script, which gives Alex a parallel tragedy in his past, is too neat, but this small film is redeemed by Ms. Weaver’s performance."
Don't miss the photo of AR at the head of the article. It's online and in the Arts & Leisure section.
Renie
- Monday, April 30, 2007 at 01:53:43 PM (EDT)
Sounds like this could be a good AR watch (there are quite a few spoilers for the story in the review): Nobel Son
Glowbox
France - Monday, April 30, 2007 at 03:26:21 AM (EDT)
Messed up the link! I'll try again: YerMan
Glowbox
France - Sunday, April 29, 2007 at 02:21:47 PM (EDT)
Nice pics from Tribeca: < href=http://galerieuhp.free.fr/thumbnails.php?album=362>YerMan
Glowbox
France - Sunday, April 29, 2007 at 02:20:06 PM (EDT)
I found out about AR going to Champaigne too late, but this blog discusses his visit for Ebert's overlooked festival-
http://www.ebertfest.blogspot.com/
martissima <mchiplis@yahoo.comfoo>
chicago, il usa - Sunday, April 29, 2007 at 01:30:49 PM (EDT)
just testing! I haven't been able to disable the popupblocker since I switched to dsl. Hoping this works; I don't khow what I did. Hope I can see Snow cake On Demand, too. watched AABA and GoF simultaneously on Thursday. Missed a few GoF scenes popping back and forth. Dogma was on today. I keep watching even though I own them!
kit
pa usa - Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 03:44:32 PM (EDT)
I really enjoyed Snow Cake! What a great movie! I Loved it from start to finish! I laughed and cried. Both Alan and Sigourney are so fabulous! I hope they do more movies together in the future! Also, I did see the interview this morning on the Today Show. He's seems so modest and down to earth. I like how he gave Sigourney compliments and how he mentioned her lack of a big ego. Two great talented people they are.
CHRISTINE
PORTSMOUTH, nh - Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 02:31:03 PM (EDT)
Did anyone see Alan and Sigourney on the Today show this morning? Nice segment talking about Snow Cake and a delightful exchange in which Alan paid some compliments to Sigourney's intelligence and ability to "have fun" with the part. He also discussed Snape a little, saying that he doesn't talk too much about the part because it spoils the mystery (for him as well as the viewers) and it's important to "figure out who this man is."
MA
- Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 09:32:21 AM (EDT)
As if he ever DID look ridiculous, I mean!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 08:23:18 AM (EDT)
Nice article, Glowbox! I always find AR's modesty so nice -- he doesn't want to look ridiculous, didn't expect to have a film career, and so on.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 08:21:40 AM (EDT)
Interesting review/interview with AR: Perfume
Glowbox
France - Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 05:05:05 AM (EDT)
For those of us with Comcast digital cable.......Yay, yahoo, yippe!!!! Snow Cake is showing on Comcast on Demand!!!! I was flipping through to rent a movie and there it was! I'll be watching it tonight!!!
CHRISTINE
PORTSMOUTH, nh usa - Friday, April 27, 2007 at 08:29:49 PM (EDT)
^/////^ hello
At thirst i wanna thank you for this page.
Thank you so much. Is´t awsome!
I love Alan so much!! ^////^ He´s my favourite!
Elena <kuladiamondchan@yandex.rufoo>
Meppen, Germany - Friday, April 27, 2007 at 10:25:18 AM (EDT)
Sheena & CatsPlay: Thanks for your responses. It may be as you say, that "there" in the letter refers to New York City (but not to Tribeca). Grammatically speaking, "there" SHOULD refer to Tribeca, but I'm prepared to admit that even MP may err. And I did know that Tribeca is in NYC.
However, isn't there some confusion here in spite of all? I looked up "Snow Cake" + "New York" + "2007" on the net and found that the New York Times says in at least one case that the release date is 27 April 2007; so does Rotten Tomatoes. To be sure, I didn't read everything -- there was far too much! And, yes, this is all fairly trivial.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Friday, April 27, 2007 at 09:27:24 AM (EDT)
Snow Cake begins playing at the Cinema Village in Greenwich Village (NYC) on April 27.
http://www.cinemavillage.com
CatsPlay
- Thursday, April 26, 2007 at 08:07:34 PM (EDT)
As I posted to the News page on Tuesday (2 days ago), a number of online sites, including the "New York Times," were reporting an official April 25 release date for "Snow Cake." I was not able to find any showtimes, even in NYC. However, a number of new reviews have popped up, so I expect copies of the film were sent out for review in keeping with this release date.
On a different note, did anyone attend Mr. Rickman's discussion of "Perfume" at the Ebert Overlooked Film Festival in Champaign, Illinois?
Georgiana
Seattle - Thursday, April 26, 2007 at 06:22:16 PM (EDT)
I think the "there" as CatsPlay said means New York, not Tribeca, it just happens that Tribeca is also in New York. Also the publicity will be because Snow Cake is due for a limited release in the USA as well. The film, as Alan mentioned on the BBC earlier this year, now has a budget for publicity which it didn't have last year.
Hope that helps to clear up the puzzlement. ;-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Thursday, April 26, 2007 at 02:08:38 PM (EDT)
Pia Susanna,
Melanie would be referring to Snow Cake being released in New York City. It opens ONLY in New York City tomorrow, April 27, and in other limited US locations later in the year. So when she said "there", she was referring to New York City, as that is also where Tribeca is.
CatsPlay
- Thursday, April 26, 2007 at 01:32:56 PM (EDT)
Sheena: thanks for your comments. I must admit I'm still a little puzzled. I have re-read the quote from Parker's letter very carefully, and I don't think I misread anything. She says that AR "will be attending Tribeca where Nobel Son is premiering on Saturday Night. He will also be doing some press as Snow Cake is being released there [surely "there" must mean "at Tribeca"?] on 27th April." This isn't very important, I suppose. But when I Googled, looking for "Tribeca" and "Snow Cake" together, I found some information that the film had been shown there about a year ago. Perhaps I shouldn't have used the word "released", about one (?) showing. But Parker herself says "released", about the one (?)showing on 27 April. I believe the film was first shown in Britain during the Edinburgh Festival last summer.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, April 26, 2007 at 07:50:42 AM (EDT)
Hi Pia Susanna, no "Snow Cake" hasn't been released in the USA. It did get a few showings at festivals but not even a limited public release (it was due for release around Christmas and then got held back for some reason). It was just here in the UK and in mainland Europe it had a limited release to the public (Ithink it got shown in a few other Countries as well. I think it has yet to be released in Australia. I think you may have misread the piece posted, Melanie didn't say about "Snow Cake" at Tribeca this year, she said it is "Nobel Son" being premiered at Tribeca (on 28th April). She then went on to mention he was doing some press for "Snow Cake" while he is in the USA as that gets its US release on the 27th April. I hope that helps to clarify things :-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 03:21:36 PM (EDT)
Sheena: I was a bit puzzled to read what Melanie Parker wrote (recently, I take it) about SC being released at Tribeca on 27 April (this year, I take it). Wasn't this film released there LAST year?? Or have I got it wrong?
Rebecca Miller: I know!! We all do!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 08:49:33 AM (EDT)
Me again. Sleepy, at this hour. Mm, it was you, Glowbox, who commented on SC, of course.
pia susanna
- Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at 05:44:47 PM (EDT)
Er, "without touching HER with his hands", that should be. Sorry.
pia susanna
- Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at 05:42:17 PM (EDT)
Thanks for the link, Glowbox!
And Sheena, it was interesting to learn about AR and those festivals, this spring. Odd how late SC reaches the US! As for Maggie (Moss's character), she surely helps Alex develop, leave his wintry/frozen state behind, so I don't find that their affair contributes nothing but some conventional love interest. Why can't Alex sleep with Linda (he sleeps in her bunk bed, but that's another matter)? Is it because she's an autist, so he feels he mustn't exploit her? Or is it that she can't bear being touched physically, except when she asks him to put his arms around her without touching him with his hands? (A rather weird request, but he manages.)
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at 05:39:57 PM (EDT)
Here's the link for the Guardian article on Lindsay Duncan, pia susanna: Bad Girl
And while I'm here, I'll just add my two cents about Snowcake, which I went to see with my daughter a few weeks back. I found it a light-hearted and amusing story about a serious subject. Both AR and SW were excellent but the real scene-stealer was the young actress who played Vivianne - I was rather sorry that she didn't get more screen time in flashbacks or something. I agree with others who have said that the plot was a bit weak in places; I couldn't honestly see the point of the Carrie-Anne Moss character except to provide the seemingly obligatory sex scene and all Alex's background seemed thoroughly unrealistic IMHO. Lots of quality AR though so definitely worth seeing!
Glowbox
France - Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at 05:06:52 PM (EDT)
I had a letter from Melanie Parker today and here is what she has said which may be of interest to the American fans:
Mr Rickman is currently in Chicago to attend the Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival where they are screening Perfume. Later in the week he will be attending Tribeca where Nobel Son is premiering on Saturday night. He will also be doing some press as Snow Cake is being released there on 27th April. As soon as he returns to the UK he will resume filming Sweeney Todd.
Just thought you may like to know. :-)
Sheena
Sheena
- Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at 07:23:57 AM (EDT)
Alan Rickman's passion and intelligence make him utterly irresistable!
Rebecca Miller <rebeccaodea@gmail.comfoo>
Toledo, OH United States - Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at 02:14:24 AM (EDT)
Hi everybody, Have just found that The Guardian (London) has an interview today with Lindsay Duncan. AR is mentioned and his career discussed (very briefly); it's pointed out that he was her co-star in LLD, though not in PL. The article refers to this play as well, however. I'm not good at links, but you could try this:
www.guardian.co.uk
Then go to the supplement known as G2. The interview is called "Bad girl", for some obscure reason.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, April 23, 2007 at 06:31:56 PM (EDT)
Julia, I saw "The View" segment with Sigourney. They showed a scene in "Snowcake" with both Signourney and Alan. Looking forward to the movie.
Angelina
- Monday, April 23, 2007 at 05:03:19 PM (EDT)
Lynn, as I posted on the News page on April 12, in an article on (Canadian) Carrie-Anne Moss, the (Halifax) Coast stated the North American (region 1) release date for "Snow Cake" is some time in June. "Snow Cake" has been released in the UK (region 2 DVD) and "Perfume" has a UK release date of April 30. I do not yet know a DVD release date for "Perfume" in region 1.
Georgiana
Seattle - Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 05:13:01 PM (EDT)
Sad that he has passed away. I suppose Mr Brown is AR's character's boss in JK who replies so calmly, a little ironically, "I know", when the detective played by AR has said three times, more and more desperately, "I don't want this charge."
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 09:15:48 AM (EDT)
Roscoe Lee Brown came to see Private Lives in NYC, escourted by a handsome young man who was probably his grandson-I can't remember if Mr. Brown had a cane or a zimmer frame, but he looked very frail, and the young man was very solicitous of him. Very sweet picture. My consolations to his family.
ACC
- Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 10:10:12 PM (EDT)
Hello all , I was just wondering if anyone knows when Snow Cake will be out on dvd in Canada. I'm so looking forward to seeing this movie, i'm such a huge fan. I did manage to see it at the Bytowne but it didn't stay here that long,and i so want to have it in my movie collection.
Also when will Perfume come out as well?
If anyone has any info i'd love to know. you can even email me. thanks a bunch. and hope everyone out there who lives in Ottawa, is enjoying the beautiful spring day. Its taken a while but finally its here. Take care all.
Lynn <Pyewacket003@aol.comfoo>
Ottawa, Canada - Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 05:45:06 PM (EDT)
Happy Saturday, everyone! Just heard a nice tribute on NPR's Weekend Editon Saturday for Roscoe Lee Brown. He will be familiar to AR fans from his brief but memorable appearance as the chief of police in Judas Kiss. He was quite a prolific actor who was usually much better than the material he was acting in (to paraphrase reviewer Elvis Mitchell). Mr. Brown died last week at the age of 81.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 08:42:53 AM (EDT)
Did anyone catch Sigourney Weaver on The View this morning? I only caught the last bit, but they were talking about Snowcake, which will be released in NY on April 27, and then in other cities later... They praised the girl that plays the doomed daughter, and then Sigourney tried to get a compliment about Alan Rickman being brilliant, which was quickly echoed, but ultimately lost as they had to go to a break!
Julia
Canada - Friday, April 20, 2007 at 08:07:59 PM (EDT)
Okay, Mortianna, I'll try again! (When time permits -- must dash now.)
pia susanna
- Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 08:05:25 AM (EDT)
I'm awfully sorry, pia susanna, but if you copy and paste the address, it should work. It does at least for me.
Or,you can follow Renie's PERFECT link and look on the "Related" stuff. Go for The Mysterious Ticking Noise" (The fan version). This is how I found it. Yes, it is silly, but fun.
mortianna
- Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 07:50:26 AM (EDT)
. . . and when I clicked on "very nice, Renie . . . " and the rest, I came to the website belonging to a Swedish tabloid! There didn't seem to be anything about AR in the current issue.
pia susanna
- Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 07:38:23 AM (EDT)
mortianna: this complicated address didn't work for me! Sorry!
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 07:33:06 AM (EDT)
Oh well, I had to do it one time or other, had I not?!?!
anybody who is still interestes should just copy and paste, please *sob*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Hk6qyeYjIY&mode=related&search=
mortianna
- Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 06:51:44 AM (EDT)
well, of course it didn't *grumble*
mortianna
- Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 06:50:15 AM (EDT)
very nice Renie, but how about that:
mortianna <if that works, call me a witchfoo>
- Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 06:47:25 AM (EDT)
Hi Sheffe, thanks for your response. I never considered this, have only worried about cuts, and the bigger & fatter the books become, the larger the cuts, inevitably. Like many others, I want as much of AR's SS as possible, needless to say. :)I agree that JKR isn't cute and seldom sentimental, and she has got better with every book. On the other hand, there are lots of repetitions; some of these are welcome to many, I think, like the description of a Quidditch match in each (?) of the books; many of these repetitions are of course DELIBERATE. I have only seen the first 2 films so far, but have read all the 6 books, several times. Also, I dislike expressions like "ear-splitting noise", "mouth-watering", "growl" (of Mad-Eye Moody, and his impostor), "twinkle" (of Dumbledore's eyes,)"said" (in dialogues -- there are alternatives, after all),and so on, because JKR overuses them, though more in the earlier books. I have become quite interested in her style -- for instance, her delight in alliterations; and the structure of her novels. Also, her planting of clues, as in a detective story. (Does the false Moody's torture of Malfoy and of the spiders hint at the fact that this isn't the real Moody?)Also, the point of view; mostly this is Harry's, though there are exceptions, especially in book 6. It's interesting that SS seems much nicer when NOT seen through Harry's eyes. After the appearance of HP and the Deathly Hallows there is bound to be a spate of academic and other works analysing all the 7 volumes.
Shouldn't it be "Errol", rather than "Earl"?
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, April 16, 2007 at 09:53:53 AM (EDT)
I only mean the HP films, as I'm unfamiliar with any of his other work. One example is the ending of the second film--"There is no Hogwarts without you, Hagrid." That, and the whole ha-ha very funny dealie with Ron supposedly sending Earl with the note to Azkaban to release Hagrid, like he has general use of his family's infirm owl...nothing at all to do with the book, all Kloves, and abominably cutesy and wet.
I know loads of people love them as they've been done, but I really prefer her stories over his. Never mind, just me having a rant. It's fine.
Sheffe
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Saturday, April 14, 2007 at 09:35:04 PM (EDT)
Thanks, Sheffe. Of course you have a right to your opinion! What are those things that drive you mad -- do you mean in the HP films, or elsewhere?
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Saturday, April 14, 2007 at 08:53:42 AM (EDT)
Sheena, this is the most encouraging news we've had on this front in ages. I hope he follows through with it.
pia susanna, I'm sorry! it's who Ali-Pat said (thanks!)--Steve Kloves. He's a fine script-writer, but I don't like what he writes himself. It makes me mad when he puts in his own stuff at the expense of what I actually want to see. I feel that if he thinks he's so great a writer he should do his own stuff instead of leeching his writing onto others' work. (Like anyone had a reason to ask me!)
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Friday, April 13, 2007 at 09:12:45 PM (EDT)
Thoughts on MNiRC, which I enjoyed, to follow, but for now, something lighter.
Potter Pals: Mysterious ticking noise.
R
- Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 02:56:43 PM (EDT)
Yes Ali-Pat it certainly looks that way. I had an email from Jack Binder this morning and he said and I quote "I will have an update for you shortly."
I will certainly keep you posted here if and when I hear anything more. :-)
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 01:06:35 PM (EDT)
Sheena--looks like your petition might have done some good after all!
Maybe SK=Steven Kloves, who wrote the screenplay? Has done all of the HP screenplays so far, actually.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 07:15:50 AM (EDT)
Hi kit, I liked those oblique references to AR! Some lines/expressions of his in films have become almost proverbial -- "truly madly deeply" may well be a case in point (those words aren't just the title). A few other examples: "You ask for miracles: I give you . . . ", "Join us or die!", "Call off Christmas!", "I'll cut your heart out with a spoon!", "And bring a friend!", " . . . or I'll run mad.". There are probably many more. Please feel free, fellow Rickmaniacs, to add to this little list!
Sheffe: sorry about my ignorance, but who/what is SK?
And, everybody who might be interested in trivial pursuits, am I crazy, or does AR have a (slight?)preference for playing opposite actresses whose surnames alphabetically come later than his own? A handful of examples (don't have the time to look up any spelling, sorry): Juliet Stephenson, Madelaine Stowe, Emma Thompson, Ruby Wax, Sigourney Weaver, Polly Walker, Kate Winslett, Greta Scacchi.Perhaps also Maggie Smith in HP, and singer rather than actress Sharleen Spiteri, should be mentioned. There are of course examples of the opposite as well.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 06:27:39 PM (EDT)
There has been a new posting by Mike Binder about "THe Search for John Gissing" at his MySpace page. We will soon have the DVD of "The Search for John Gissing", it is a very funny film and Alan Rickman does a great job in it.
Sheena <dragon@amberdragon.freeserve.co.ukfoo>
Berkshire UK - Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 10:45:52 AM (EDT)
Hi everyone, its been a while since I posted last! My you guys have been busy posting a lot of good stuff-I cant wait to delve into it!!
If Mary from Warick RI still comes to this site, do you know Mary, if Jason Isaacs (lucius Malfoy) is planning to attend the book signing again down in RI as he did before? Its probably still too early to know, but if you hear of anything, would you please be kind enough to post here? There is a group of us waiting to go down there this time as it should be the last HP party sad to say.
Also, if anyone is interested, I related the info over at the Download Haven, that if anyone has the DVD Happy Feet, instead of going to the main menu, let the ads run through for the movies being released, as they have a preview of the OOTP with a short scene with Professor Snape!!! I couldnt believe it and was glad I let the mve previews run through.
Thanks again all for all the goodies and have a nice one. take care-Pam
Pam
MA - Monday, April 09, 2007 at 11:58:42 PM (EDT)
Kit, I got to see it too on HBO! It was so good to finally have the chance. Way too little Snape and a little too much SK for me.
IDMT, you said I was mature, I said I was old; not the same. "Spontaneous happiness needs no cocktails." Apologies for the misunderstanding--I thought you meant one should first be drunk. Swinging without booze is perfectly easy around all sorts of things, but too much drinking makes me sick. I have nothing against your "lifestyle"--shoot, would I even know what that is? I know what mine was.
As for Tribeca, I'd love to, Nobel Son and all. It's not possible right now because I have to be at work. NYC won't be until summer, so I'll catch you then.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Monday, April 09, 2007 at 10:18:54 PM (EDT)
Thaks AliPat! I read everyday, but seldom post. AOL has changed its welcome page and supressing the popups takes a lot of searching now. Anyone know a shortcut? Two AR (oblique) references of Boston Legal last week. Someone said, "they love each other, truly, madly deeply!" and another guy tried to crawl into a duct (he got stuck) and someone said "I always knew you'd go 'Die Hard' on me" I'm very proud to say the HBO has been showing Goblet of Fire this week and I've watched it, or had it on so I can run in at the right time, 4 times.
kit
pa usa - Monday, April 09, 2007 at 12:48:50 PM (EDT)
For anyone with an AMEX, the Tribeca Film Festival site is open for ticket orders. If you are gold card friendly, pick up tickets for whatever you want to see now. They might be gone on Friday when general sales open.
Still Life and Vitus show promise, and Nobel Son is listed here.
The movie site notes Paul Okenfold did the soundtrack, which could be a blessing or a curse since he is a DJ. But the fact that Mary Steenburgen points a 45 at the press in her introduction clip makes me have hope for this one. +5 for DeVito and Pullman. and +20 to Steenburgen.
Sheffe: Well I think you *do* need to go swinging around light poles -- for the very reason that you fear it will have some legitimate merit against your self-assessed maturity. Don't think "those d&$m kids I'm always chasing off my virtual lawn. How embarrassing if I were to find I'd actually enjoy some aspect of their lives, the boozers..." Think more "Singing in the Rain" with Gene Kelly. Spontaneous happiness needs no cocktails. And maturity isn't a badge that goes away if someone catches you up to dynamic behavior. If you're in town for the Film Festival, name your date and I'll take you to a nice place on Park for those two drinks.
IDMT
NYC, - Monday, April 09, 2007 at 12:47:33 PM (EDT)
Dear Sofia,
If you click on the big blue FAQ at the top of the page, it will take you to a list of frequently asked questions. There it gives the address for Alan Rickman's agent in London, which is where all his fan mail should be directed. Enjoy the guestbook!
Sheffe
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Sunday, April 08, 2007 at 08:00:23 PM (EDT)
Sorry, he is in reference to Mike Binder who starred in and directed the movie. He plans to re-shoot the movie in America with an american cast ( he said that at a live screening of the movie in LA a couple years ago). But there has been a demand for the release of this movie with Alan and maybe he listened finally.
Alfan
Canada - Sunday, April 08, 2007 at 12:54:51 PM (EDT)
Alfan: Who is "he"? Not AR, surely? I don't think he maintains a website of his own.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, April 08, 2007 at 09:30:57 AM (EDT)
Hey my name is sofia stridh and i whant to know Alan Rickmans home adress so i can rite to him. Pleace help me !
I gust love him on a whay that I cant explain. I like him as a grate actor.
Sorry that I am bad to rite at englich but have a good day.
sofia stridh <poppisoffia@hotmail.comfoo>
gävleborg, sandviken - Sunday, April 08, 2007 at 08:42:52 AM (EDT)
I think we might have some good news on the release of The Search for John Gissing, he recently did an interview and said that he is going to release the DVD himself on his web page, the link below and scroll about half way down.
http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/arthouse/archives/2007/03/talking_to_mike.php
Lets all hope, as it is a wonderfull movie, shows off many of Alan's comedic talants, and thanks to Chalehb on Claudia
s Download Haven for the news.
Alfan
Canada, - Saturday, April 07, 2007 at 06:18:46 PM (EDT)
I just watched the movie die hard ! one of the best movies ever! Your my favorite actor! and i never new you played professor snape in harry potter! WOW!! Well your probably can't get back to me since you probably have so many fans but . well i hope everything goes well with you and your acting!!
-Sincerely,
Kitty
kitty <kitkatsaba@aol.comfoo>
newyork, ny united states - Saturday, April 07, 2007 at 05:15:27 PM (EDT)
Hi kit--nice to see you post here again. Don't know where everyone else is, but I am getting ready for the Easter Bunny (waves to animation above).
Georgiana--the link to the article on the News page about Snape being an "okay guy" is not working. Can you supply a new link to the article?
Happy holidays to everyone--a lot of them have converged this week.
Ali-Pat
Dayton (snow?), OH (SNOW!) USA - Saturday, April 07, 2007 at 08:05:23 AM (EDT)
Seems very quuiet here. Is everyone re-reading all the Potter books to get ready for summer?
kit
pa usa - Friday, April 06, 2007 at 09:27:52 PM (EDT)
Slope, it all sounds so great! That would be a wonderful event to attend.
IDMT, lightpoles would not be a change, so much as a regression. Did that sort of thing already when I was a lot closer to 25 and trying to keep up with the real boozers. However, the mojito offer stands (noting that I can't have more than two drinks.) I loved the article.
It could be argued that the dark hero or character is a reaction to our continually undermined lack of faith in earlier, simpler heroes. I would disagree, however, that we don't need the purer type of hero as well. Perhaps there is even more need for a Colonel Brandon type in a world filled with flawed examples. They may strike us as more human, but that doesn't always make them more satisfying. I think a dark character is most impressive when he conquers his flaws, at least in the crucial moment, and becomes closer to the ideal.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Sunday, April 01, 2007 at 08:58:47 PM (EDT)
For Juliet Stevenson fans in the Stratford area:
RSC throws open the doors
by Clare Fitzsimmons 30/03/2007
THE STARS will be out in Stratford to bid a final farewell to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre at the RSC's annual Open Day later this month.
The event, on April 29, will be a triple celebration marking the end of its year-long Complete Works Festival, Shakespeare's birthday and the closure of its main house ahead of the £100 million transformation.
To mark the unique point in the RSC’s history, there will be an opportunity to say goodbye to the current RST stage with backstage tours throughout the weekend, as well as a host of events taking place on the actual Open Day.
As well as workshops and events, the RSC will host a specially commissioned musical concert, a Shakespeare quiz, a football match, backstage and star tours. And star names including Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Juliet Stevenson and Patrick Stewart will be involved.
Highlights include RSC artists Sinead Cusack, Antony Sher and Juliet Stevenson sharing their memories of performing on the RST stage, along with RSC Artistic Director, Michael Boyd and former Artistic Directors, Terry Hands, Adrian Noble and Trevor Nunn.
There will also be:
• The RSC In Concert: The RSC Band and RSC Director of Music, John Woolf, presenting music from the company's recent history to commemorate 75 years of the RST.
• Shakespeare: How The Text Helps the Actor: Veteran director John Barton reuniting two of the country’s leading actors, Judi Dench and Ian McKellen, in an exploration of how to make meaning out of text in performance.
• Travelling With Shakespeare: Broadcaster Michael Wood leading a discussion with international directors on how Shakespeare translates across the globe.
• The Great Shakespeare Quiz: Gyles Brandreth as quizmaster leading two teams including Sinead Cusack, Judi Dench, Michael Wood, Ian McKellen, David Warner, Donald Sinden and Juliet Stevenson.
• Match of The Day: Dion Dublin acts as referee as the Yorks and the Lancasters from the current Histories Acting Ensemble battle it out in a football match.
For full details of the day’s programme, times, venues and costs visit www.rsc.org.uk or call the ticket hotline on 0844 800 1110.
RSC Throws open the doors
Slope
Canada - Sunday, April 01, 2007 at 04:21:02 PM (EDT)
pia susanna - I think NL will have a role to play in the last book - just not sure what. :)
Cover Art for The Deadly Hallows can be found here. (If you click on them, you can get a huge version.) The locket is on the cover of the UK "adult" version. I don't know what's up with the cover of the UK "kids" version - almost looks as though they've found pirate treasure!
martha
maine, - Sunday, April 01, 2007 at 08:05:54 AM (EDT)
Another fantastic project that AR is indirectly involved in (as a trustee): AIDS Play
Glowbox
France - Sunday, April 01, 2007 at 04:31:17 AM (EDT)
I think as part of a classical story structure, whatever happens at the end will have to be a reversal of what we've seen so far. Halfway through the series Snape was assigned to teach Harry to strengthen his mind through will power and focus, and Harry was too young to be able to do it. At the end of the last book Harry tries to use Snape's own boyhood spells, and Snape makes a lot of bravado to distract but does not kill Harry. I see a more philosophical ending, where in order for Harry to save himself, he must learn to control the dangerous part of his nature.
Ali-Pat: The NYC version of Rachel Corrie sounds like the same version extended through May 6th in Seattle. I'd think the energy there would be greater since she is a local hero, so you might have seen the better show.
Carollee: RE: Red Tango's page - I read a rumor that her site might have been shut down but that's unlikely. Her parody page is hugely popular and well loved. She completed an illustrated take of Snow Cake and thanked everyone who requested she keep doing her Rickman parodies. I'd speculate her password page there now is more of a business decision to focus on her boutique brands, and may suggest she tired of dealing with the critical types who probably disliked her posts for being the better fan (in all honestly, she's about the best fan Rickman has.) On a personal note, she's been kind enough to encourage some of us in our creative pursuits, so I'm equally happy that her franchise has taken off. It's a brand I see frequently here in NYC and makes me smile. Maybe she'll be back if Nobel Son turns out to be good.
Sheffe: Glad you considered the life-changing pursuit of swinging around light poles, even just for the moment, and have found your sense of humor in being "deeply offended" ;) Sorry, but I still feel that you're about 25 and would drink me under the table if given the chance. Great article about the Snape phenomenon in pop culture, by the way.
"In a world that has known concentration camps ... and all sorts of horrors, the notion of the hero seems anachronistic," said Victor Brombert, a professor emeritus at Princeton University who wrote In Praise of Antiheroes: Figures and Themes in Modern European Literature. "It no longer corresponds to our needs."
Also interesting in that it considers dark characters to be "Rorschach inkblots for us to ponder and therefore better understand ourselves."
Pia: I think the discussion was more of a community brainstorm on the fairness of Spring/Winter relationships. Personally I believe there are obligations when dealing with younger generations, but I think it's a situational basis. On one hand you have issues like Notes on a Scandal. On the other you have outright situations of advantages being taken. Age and wisdom are huge advantages, and younger people don't always understand them, or the power they have over older people, until much later in life.
Changhwa: Purfume was a really unusual film, wasn't it? I loved the metaphors as well. Welcome out of the shadows, we're glad to have your thoughts.
IDMT
NYC, - Sunday, April 01, 2007 at 03:28:39 AM (EDT)
martha: thanks for your information -- I remember now that AD in I think Book 6 explains this to HP; that V by interpreting the prophecy as he does makes it apply to HP; this becomes true by definition, so to speak. (Perhaps a special case of the psychological rule that if you take an interest in X, then X eo ipso becomes interesting.) I can't help finding the parallel case of NL intriguing, though. In theory, he COULD have become the "chosen one", right? There are many similarities between HP and NL: both were born late in July (31 July?) in the same year; both are sorted on the same occasion into Gryffindor; both are courageous -- NL possesses moral courage, if nothing else; both, in some sense, lost their parents because of V -- HP's were killed, while NL's were tortured into insanity, and it appears they don't recognize him -- at least his mother doesn't. Both boys were brought up by relatives who are less than happy about their magical skills -- HP's because they hate magic, NL's because he's not a very skilful wizard. Also that what NL fears most in this world is SS, and we know how much SS and HP dislike each other -- another, if lopsided, analogy, surely. Also that it's NL's Remembrall that HP plays with when MMcG discovers he would make an excellent Seeker; the Remembrall becomes an analogy of the Snitch.
And, still about HP: I saw the other day in the net edition of the British newspaper The Guardian that the cover design of the last HP book has been made public. The pictures were very tiny, but it seems that HP, Hermione and Ron are breaking out of some golden circle; they're all scratched and bleeding. The cover shows also (on the back?) a locket that appears to be the Slytherin silver one; perhaps the last Horcrux?
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 03:52:57 PM (EDT)
One last thing, honest. I think that's probably the last of my Alan Rickman stuff.
Rickman in Theatregoer Magazine from 2001
Thanks
flamingkitties
- Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 12:06:45 PM (EDT)
Does anybody know what happened to Red Tango's page? She was going to close it, then it got a reprieve. Now when I try to click on the link, I get a "password" page. Is her page closed or moved?
Carollee
- Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 11:20:27 AM (EDT)
Hello, I've been a silent lurker for some time now, it's time to step out of the shadow. I'm living in Korea which is so far from anything that has to do with AR, I nearly forgot how much I adored his work. But FINALLY Perfume came to korean theaters and I loved it! I didn't know what to think of the book but Tom Tykwer really did a great job, the actors were good and AR is great anyway.
Changhwa
Seoul, Korea - Friday, March 30, 2007 at 11:17:18 PM (EDT)
The monthly Hello! poll has started two days early. AR is in second place right now. You can vote every fifteen minutes. http://www.hellomagazine.com/vote/mostattractiveman/month/index.html
Susan CA
- Friday, March 30, 2007 at 01:11:34 PM (EDT)
pia susanna - Snape only heard the first half of the prophesy. The prophesy could have applied to either Harry or Neville when it was made, but JKR made the point that by seeing Harry as the greatest threat, and trying to kill him - by marking him - it was Voldemort himself that made Harry the "chosen one." Now, why she brought Neville into it at all....
lablanche - *waves* If AR's going to be there, I might make the drive - if I can. Wouldn't it be great to see him there?
martha
maine, - Friday, March 30, 2007 at 08:57:28 AM (EDT)
Hello, Alan fans. I know I haven't posted in a long time. I hope this isn't too much of a non sequitur considering the current conversations, but could use your help if you are familiar with Alan's schedule.
The Mahaiwe Theatre, in Great Barrington, Mass, is hosting the 'premiere' of Snowcake in a few weeks. I was unable to get to NYC during the NYC Film festival last year since I was busy working for a candidate for Congress, a closet radical (who won, YAAAAY!!!)
I digress, excuse, please.
Anyway, they are hosting a VIP party with the screenwriter and her husband, the producer. Their son was involved with the Son-Rise Program for a few years, which is located on the Mass-Conn border 10 minutes from town. I just wondered if there is a slight chance any other folks might be there. Great Barrington is about an hour away.
I do have to confess that I have mixed feelings about Son-Rise, since I worked with an autistic boy the summer of 1988 who had been involved with them, and it did no good whatsoever. This child had other serious health issues such as grand mal seizures, so that may have been the reason.
But if Alan is going to be there, I would definitely want to go. My partner, who is a bit of a Sigourney fan, would not object, either.
lablanche
NY - Friday, March 30, 2007 at 08:14:26 AM (EDT)
PPS: martha: and isn't the possibility that the prophecy needn't refer to HP at all tantalizing? That it might be about shy, clumsy, forgetful Neville Longbottom instead? Why does Rowling mention this at all?
pia susanna
- Thursday, March 29, 2007 at 05:15:55 PM (EDT)
martha: this is just a PS: I'm not sure if SS heard/repeated the WHOLE prophecy, or only HALF the prophecy. Is Rowling ambiguous here? Or don't I remember this properly? I'm half too lazy, half too busy to bother looking it up. One likes to think that SS was innocent in the sense that he didn't realize that the prophecy could be interpreted as referring to the Potters' baby son. If SS only heard the first half, his innocence is of course more probable. We know from (I think)HPHBP that SS, according to AD, always regretted having passed the information on to V.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Thursday, March 29, 2007 at 05:09:16 PM (EDT)
P.S. I forgot to add that I just posted a link on the "News" page to another nice Seattle review of MNiRC, this one from the Weekly.
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 08:53:07 PM (EDT)
Ah, interesting analogy, Ali-Pat. I am glad your correspondent said 'daughter of' Jacques Roux. Very apt. We all know, of course, that Jacques Roux himself--or Rickman's portrayal thereof, is incomparable.
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 08:52:05 PM (EDT)
I adore Alan Rickman - especially in his roles as Severus Snape! He was excellent in Galaxy Quest but he will always be "Professor Snape" to me!
Linda Mercer <lbkronick68@yahoo.comfoo>
Shelbyville, TN - Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 02:54:14 PM (EDT)
Thanks for that review, Georgiana. One of my Seattle correspondents has characterized Rachel Corrie as a "daughter of Jacques Roux" which I also find apt. Any comments on that?
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 09:44:40 AM (EDT)
Georgiana: thanks for the review -- yes, very good, very apt, I think, except for those details you mention.
Barbara & Sheffe: there is probably some truth in what you say about allusions to British (and European) history. "The Chamber of Secrets" may allude to "The Chamber of Horrors" at Madame Tussaud's in London. "The Order of" seems very British, too (The Order of the Garter is only one example), and there is a tradition of "The Hallows of Britain". These were sacred objects symbolizing sovereignty and with an "Otherworldly" aspect. They included (in so far as they really existed) a drinking vessel, a mantle, a spear, and a magical hamper that provided food -- the equivalent of a cornucopia, I suppose. It's a little startling to find that Rowling's Hallows are called deathly! Incidentally, the Celtic Stone of Destiny (the lia fail) was probably regarded as a Hallow.
martha: yes, this is indeed a special period; I'm very much aware of it, and can't wait to lay my greedy hands on a copy of the last HP book! I'll probably sit up a whole night reading it . . . : ) I've only sat up reading 3 nights till early morning in my life; the first time I read Emily Dickinson's Collected Poems, the second, T.S.Eliot's Four Quartets; the third, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Not my favourite HP book, but anyway.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 09:08:41 AM (EDT)
I just posted a review of MNiRC from the Seattle Times to the News page. I think it is spot-on.
Georgiana (hmm, well, except that bit about the monologue's 'choppiness' and the words not always being arranged for 'maximum impact.')
Seattle - Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 08:48:47 PM (EDT)
Dear Barbara;
I think JKR has indeed used some historical facts from her real world in the fictional universe. There was a real Nicholas Flamel, reputed to have discovered the Philosophers' Stone.
"Only legitimate from one side?" She knew everyone would think there was a real prince involved. In this case, Snape's legitimacy as a wizard in Slytherin House rests solely on the pure-blood contribution from his mother. His father was muggle and rotten to them in addition, so SS has no reason to regard that side of his family as anything but shameful. We have JKR to thank for the play on words that he uses to describe his condition.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 08:28:03 PM (EDT)
Hello everyone! It has been a long time since I posted but I have been posting since 2000. I have been really enjoying all your posts re SS in the Half Blood Prince. It seems to me, and I am only guessing, that JK Rowling has based her books on English History. Like the name Nicolas flamel, HP Book 1, Also grand master from 1398 - 1418 of the Priory of Sion - prieure de sion. Is this fiction or fact?? (Di Vinci Code) It seems the Name "Half Blood Prince" probably relates to the tragic Edward the 5th and his younger brother the duke of york who died in the tower in 1483...they were 13 and 11 years old at the time. Their Uncle the future Richard the 3rd, said that their father Edward IV wasn't married to their mother Elizabeth Woodville because of a previous engagement??. Thus Edward the 5th WAS the Half Blood Prince.Only legitiment from one side????????? Look to the History of the U.K. J.K. Rowling is a truly GREAT Writer!!!! I think she is the BEST! I cannot wait to read her LAST BOOK! I am so glad the Alan Rickman is a part of these stories that she has written!!!! I love this GB, Suzanne!! Bye.
Barbara the Australian <bpac350@hotmail.comfoo>
Warwick, Qld. Australia - Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 12:59:00 AM (EDT)
Hello, me again, I'm now selling something else Alan Rickman related, thought you might like to glance over http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=014&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=330102401299
Erm, that's all. Happy Rickmanning.
flamingkitties
- Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 12:22:34 PM (EDT)
Hi Pat (Eeyore), and many thanks. Despite the new director, the play doesn't seem to have been so very different from when I saw it in Edinburgh last summer. I don't recognize the bit about the scarves, though. The reading/talking and typing/talking were certainly there. And many people in the audience wept towards the end. And Rachel talked directly to the audience, which created a very intimate friend-to-friend atmosphere. I've said before in this Guestbook that I see the play as being about pacifism and idealism, not so much about taking sides. I could identify very strongly with Rachel when she says (I think in an email) to her parents something like "This isn't the world I wanted to have been born into."
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 07:32:46 AM (EDT)
Thanks, Pat--that was great! The staging sounds very much like what I saw in New York, and I was also impressed with how much could be evoked from so few props. Megan Dodds set the standard for this role, but it sounds like Marya Sea Kaminski has also made it her own. Wish I had made arrangements to see it now! Thanks again for your description and analysis.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 07:31:35 AM (EDT)
Thank you Pat for your very fine and comprehensive review of the play. Much appreciated.
Barbara
NZ - Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 05:30:24 AM (EDT)
As I said in my last post, I was very impressed and moved by the performance of Marya Sea Kaminski. I think it must be exhausting, but she seemed to have enough energy at the end, though she was also wiping away a tear, as were many in the audience. So perhaps it's more emotionally exhausting--I would think so anyway. It's a very intense 90 minutes of dialogue and near constant movement, as she first packs up her college room and then the scene changes as she takes the audience through her different experiences in Rafa.
I don't know if the staging was the same as London, but I really liked the way she used minimal props and different scarves to help convey the "action"--a scarf tied around her neck, a longer one that was used to tie up her mattress, which remained on the stage and was used later, a bandana that showed a change in activity (working) and in outside temperature. Her backpack was the source of most of her props, including her journal, which she wrote in or read from frequently, her lap top, the water bottle, etc. All of that allowed her to remain on the stage, while still allowing for a change in costuming and sets. I also liked the way she would start typing an email, reading as she typed, and then would just speak through it--it kept that connection going that her words were ones that she wrote to her parents or a friend--the same technique worked with the journal entries, where she started writing but then just talked.
One thing that was kind of a jolt at the beginning was that she started out right away speaking to the audience directly--not all the time, but often. I'm used to actors making a point of not talking to the audience, so at first it felt awkward. But as the play went on, it made the whole thing more intimate, like Rachel having a personal conversation with just me--and I'm sure that was the intention.
The window, which was at first covered in her college room, was later shown with wrought iron bars and with the changing light showed the passage of days and nights in Rafa, sometimes rapidly. There were only a few other voices, but those were off stage at the end, to tell what happened to Rachel, and then the video of the real Rachel reading her poem at the very end. So there was no break for Ms Kaminski--only the few times that she sipped water from the water bottle, or stood reflectively before sharing more of her thoughts.
I felt when I read of her death in the newspapers and later when I read the play (I bought the book from amazon, though it was a bit difficult to get--I'm not sure why), and when I watched the play, that Rachel Corrie, whether one agrees with her view or not, was a young woman who spoke the truth as she saw it, and was involved in trying to make a difference in the lives of people who have no voice to the outside world. This play is one way of getting people to think about both sides and talk about all the problems in Gaza, from the perspective of people rather than of governments. Peace and understanding usually comes about because of the personal relationships of individual people working together.
One more comment about the play--the actress bears an uncanny resemblance to a friend of ours, not only in appearance but in mannerisms. My husband and daughter had the same reaction. And our friend is very much like Rachel Corrie in that she is passionate about helping people, saving the environment, making a difference in the lives of others. So, that part was rather eerie for us, as we could all picture our friend Kelly doing the same sort of things that Rachel did.
Sorry this was so lengthy--I didn't intend it to be.
Pat (Eeyore)
Pat (Eeyore) <eeyore6771@comcast.netfoo>
Federal Way, WA USA - Friday, March 23, 2007 at 06:42:21 PM (EDT)
MNiRC has it's "official" opening night tomorrow at the Seattle Rep. I find it difficult to imagine a better performance than Marya Sea Kaminski gave last week in previews. I noticed only one hesitation and one small flub in the first performance--not enough to detract one whit from the stellar experience. Her speciality is the "one-woman show," and it shows.
Georgiana (didn't mean to chastise, Sheffe; only to reference the link)
Seattle - Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 04:54:06 PM (EDT)
pia susanna - We're in a very special place with the books. Having to wait for the ending! After July, no one will ever be in this position again. It really is rather fun, all this speculating, don't you think? It's funny, I'm not religious, but did grow up going to Sunday School every week, and I never saw Judas as evil. Weak, yes, but to be pitied rather than reviled. I don't know if I was taught this, or if it was my own thinking. Oh, and Snape did reveal the prophesy that sent V looking for Harry, and thus put PP in the position to betray them. But then, DD put Snape in a postion to become a murderer - or so I think. As with real life, things are all shades of gray.
martha
maine, - Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 10:16:44 AM (EDT)
Hi Martha, No, SS hasn't redeemed himself, but I didn't assert this. PP has done great harm in the past. SS does great harm only in The Half-Blood Prince, and there, it seems, what he does (the killing of Dumbledore) could be interpreted in at least two ways. As I see it, that SS is evil is at least controversial (he might have been bound by a promise to AD as well as the vow to NM; also, AD was apparently dying anyway). PP's betrayal of HP's parents appears at least to me far less ambiguous. This doesn't necessarily mean that PP can't be redeemed in the end. I agree about his belonging to Gryffindor and about the wizard's debt he owes HP because HP decided not to kill him. I have read that in the Coptic Church, Judas Iscariot is regarded, not as an arch-villain, but as a tragic saint, necessary for the divine work of salvation. It's possible, I think, to see SS in some similar light. An English Christian scholar has written a paper where she argues in such terms. But we don't have The Deathly Hallows yet.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 06:33:27 PM (EDT)
pia susanna - SO FAR, Snape hasn't redeemed himself either! I don't think V trusts anyone, and wouldn't be surprised if he had Snape and PP spying on each other. One of the things that gives me hope for Snape's redemption is AR's reluctance to play villains - especially ones with no redeeming qualities. I like to think that he wouldn't have taken the part without some assurance that Snape wasn't evil. Nasty, vindictive, petty, but not evil, and not without redeeming qualities.
martha
maine, - Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 08:31:01 AM (EST)
Eep! My apologies, Georgiana--I didn't realize it was duplicating your post.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 10:56:36 PM (EST)
I poated a link to the Baltimore Sun article on Severus Snape and the "Rickman factor" several hours ago on the News, Info & Schedule page.
Georgiana
Seattle - Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 08:39:53 PM (EST)
Dear folks,
I thought this Baltimore Sun article was really neat.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/bal-to.snape20mar20,0,6599615.story?track=rss
(It's not a link--you'll have to copy and paste this into your browser window.)
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 06:25:18 PM (EST)
martha: true, PP owes Harry a wizard's debt (is that the term?). But SO FAR PP hasn't redeemed himself. As for Spinner's End, I have toyed with the idea that Dumbledore, for reasons of his own, may have arranged for PP to stay with Snape. It's obvious that Snape doesn't like it much, and he has no reasons to be fond of PP. I didn't think of Voldemort, but that's certainly another possibility. PP as a spy? It's clear from what Bellatrix says (unless she's lying) that Voldemort has begun to distrust SS.
Oh, and of course I believe or at least hope that SS, too, will eventually redeem himself.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 07:43:59 AM (EST)
pia susanna - I think Peter will redeem himself, one, because he was sorted into Gryffindor for some reason, and two, because he owes Harry a life debt. As for why Snape allowed him at Spinners End, I think Voldemort ordered it - otherwise I don't think either of them would have tolerated it.
martha
maine, - Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 07:17:10 AM (EST)
Holy smokes--check out the review of Snow Cake from the Times Colonist that Georgiana posted on the News page! Lots of kudos for AR, but I have never quite thought of him as the Wile E. Coyote sort!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 06:36:40 AM (EST)
"disgusting", folks! Sorry!
pia susanna
- Monday, March 19, 2007 at 04:16:12 PM (EST)
Loose threads sticking out here and there . . . I feel I should tidy them up a bit. The Rules, situated close to Covent Garden, is the oldest restaurant in London, and famous for (as I see it) digusting food like "potted rabbit". But I'm a vegetarian, so I'm hardly objective. It seems to me that AR is sometimes simply being used, as a celebrity, to lend a little glitter to various occasions.
Thank you, Sheffe, for the info. And re an earlier post of yours: some women probably wish and try to "save" Animus figures, supposing they come across them in real life. (The question irresistibly presents itself: ARE there Animus figures in real life??)But I can't help feeling that there is something in the explanation based on Jung and Graves, maybe also others, that an "Animus" represents something a woman has suppressed in herself, and that this is why he has such a powerful appeal to her deepest feelings. Conversely, of course, for an "Anima" figure in a man's life.
IDMT: I don't think I have asserted it's dysfunctional for younger women to consider "alternate male role models". And, again, to anybody whom it may concern, my introducing Animus/Anima figures here had NOTHING to do with what I may believe concerning AR's interpretations of the roles he plays. It was more a matter of how we and others may react, emotionally/psychologically, to his interpretations.
martha: unlike you, I think Peter Pettigrew is, or becomes, bad. He is a coward, but that is why he eventually makes evil choices. And I believe that is why Snape in HP and the Half-Blood Prince calls Peter "vermin". (Another question is why Snape permits PP to live, or stay, with him at Spinner's End.)
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, March 19, 2007 at 04:13:06 PM (EST)
Ali-Pat, I liked the Seattle production better than in London, mostly because I felt the actress was better. But I quite adored Megan Dodds when I saw her, and it may just be I had less jet lag for the Seattle production. I did not see it in New York.
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, March 19, 2007 at 02:31:56 PM (EST)
Georgiana--how did you like the Seattle production of MNiRC? How did it compare with the one in NYC? Has anyone else seen this production? Observations are welcome and encouraged!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Sunday, March 18, 2007 at 07:28:43 AM (EST)
P.S. to Pia Susanna and all: This article was in the news, but I don't see exactly when this dinner was. Press Association Friday March 16, 2007 Guardian Unlimited The chancellor met Kylie Minogue, the pop singer, when the pair were unlikely fellow guests at a dinner party in London, it was revealed today. Mr Brown met the singer at a get-together at a central London restaurant hosted by Australian author Kathy Lette and attended by celebrities including Stephen Fry, Alan Rickman and Ronnie Ancona, the actors. Lette, who hosted the event at Rules with her husband, Geoffrey Robertson, the prominent QC, told the London Evening Standard: "Gordon and Kylie got on really well. They spent quite a bit of time talking to each other over drinks.
As you see, mostly about other people, but in London.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 10:16:55 PM (EST)
Dear MA, Yeah! Happy name day to Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman!
Dear Barbara, I think it was mainly IDMT answering a previous post of mine. In answer to that, the Ghostbusters reference makes sense (not that it's got anything much to do with anything else.) I said she sounded pretty good for being the marshmallow bit of a somemore after she had said I should take her place as Joan of Arc at the stake. No wonder you don't know what's up--I wrote half of it and I got lost, too. So on topic and all.
Dear Pia Susanna, I think Alan must still be involved with Sweeney, but that has been on hold in some respects since Johnny Depp's little girl got sick. J.D. willl probably be back to work before too long--it sounds like the child has improved a lot. I don't know how much his not being there specifically affected filming with Alan, though.
Dear IDMT, you never said you'd meet me the next time I went to NYC, even though I offered to get you a mojito. I felt quite slighted, and can't take this lamppost offer seriously. Anyway, I don't drink enough to get drunk these days. Doesn't mix well with my meds; additionally, being 178, I do need to keep a few brain cells intact.
Happy St. Patrick's Day, everybody! Swing those bagpipes.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 08:43:14 PM (EST)
A very happy Saint Patrick's Day to all the Irish Rickmaniacs---and to the man himself, since he has a touch o' the green in his blood as well. Slainte!
MA (yes, and to you as well, Mr. de Valera!) *g*
- Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 01:34:27 PM (EST)
Interesting. Thank you, Georgiana. Did you, too, get the impression it must be an enormously demanding role, physically and mentally, to play for anybody? The actress I saw in Edinburgh (not the same as the one in Seattle, of course) seemed ready to drop after the perfomance -- not a smile, and only one bow to the audience, although we all applauded her for long afterwards.
pia susanna
- Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 08:00:18 AM (EST)
Actually, the Seattle Rep listed MNiRC as written by Rachel Corrie (which, of course, it was) and edited by Alan Rickman and Katherine Viner. It was directed by Braden Abraham. You can see a picture of the superb actress who played her, Marya Sea Kaminski, up on the Seattle Rep home page, with loads of linked additional information about the production.
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, March 16, 2007 at 06:32:00 PM (EST)
Pat: hadn't had a chance of reading your post before I wrote my own and sent it off.
PS for everybody: What is Our Man up to at the moment? And where is he? Does anybody know?
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Friday, March 16, 2007 at 05:42:35 PM (EST)
Georgiana, yes, MNRC is indeed moving, and I agree with everything you say about it. What I'd like to ask you is: who directed the play (soliloquy) on this occasion? Wasn't it AR? (I saw something about how somebody else would or might do so.)
If it wasn't, I suppose that would explain his absence, even though he'd still be co-editor.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Friday, March 16, 2007 at 05:37:25 PM (EST)
I went to see MNiRC in Seattle on Thursday night, with my husband and our youngest daughter (she's 25). It was so incredibly good. I have the book (hard to get, btw, from amazon), so I knew what it was going to be like. It's a very powerful performance. My husband was in Israel in 1999 on a trip with World Vision to gather information, and his first words at the end of the play were "That's just what it was like."
Someone asked why AR wasn't mentioned as the director. That's because he wasn't the director for this production. I had sort of hoped (and so did my daughter) that he would actually be there, though. If he was, we didn't see him.
Pat
- Friday, March 16, 2007 at 05:33:52 PM (EST)
Sorry, but what on earth is IDMT's post about? Is it an in joke? I find it baffling just like the 'viagra in apple juice' phrase somewhile back.
Barbara
NZ - Friday, March 16, 2007 at 04:16:14 PM (EST)
A lovely first night at "My Name is Rachel Corrie" in Seattle. If Mr. Rickman was there, I did not see him, although it is a peculiar little theater with seats in funny alcoves and, except on the stage, you cannot see more than half the seating from any vantage.
There were Jewish leafleteers outside the theater, handing out copies of a full page ad that was in the program, picturing a half dozen other Rachel's who have lost their lives in this conflict--about which I think no one in the audience needed reminding.
The play was even more moving than I remembered. The actress performing Rachel is truly gifted. The direction was a bit distracting--she was forever packing and unpacking--but did serve to convince you it was not a monologue you were witnessing, but a series of vignettes. And remind you that this was a truly unique and fascinating young mind--funny, inciteful, passionate, self-aware, a touch naive--that is a huge loss to us all. What she might have achieved! And that her words, plus a few of her Mom and her Dad, were arranged and sculpted into an astoundingly memorable evening.
If you have not seen it, I urge you to do so.
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, March 16, 2007 at 11:16:03 AM (EST)
Yes Pat, I was able to have a little conversation with him in the theater lobby after the show. I also happened upon him while he was trying to flag down a cab after the show and chatted a bit then. It was such a contrast to the times I waited with dozens (scores!) of other fans at the stage door of the Richard Rodgers during the PL run. Then, although he was gracious (as ever), he was obviously tired and anxious to get into his black car. This time he was much less pressed for time and seemed willing to engage in conversation with the stray fan or two.
Thanks for your concern, IDMT, but nothing really started to hurt until the next day! It was an interesting trick to keep a bag of ice on my knee, but other than that I wasn't inconvenienced all that much. I would have seen the play whether the director was there or not as I had read it and heard so much about it. Also, I have connections to Olympia and thus was interested in the story. Seeing Alan was just icing on the cake (and how sweet it was).
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, March 16, 2007 at 06:24:41 AM (EST)
Hmm... if you're going all that way in order to see the director instead of the show, it might be better to wait for the next project? He's bound to have another one coming up soon that won't put you in traction trying to get to it.
Dr. Peter Venkman: Ray?
Dr Ray Stantz: I'm sorry...
Dr. Peter Venkman: Raaay!!
Dr Ray Stantz: I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!!!
Dr. Peter Venkman: RAY!! What did you DO?!
Dr Ray Stantz: I tried to think of the most harmless thing. Something I loved from my childhood. Something that could never ever possibly destroy us. Mr. Stay Puft!
Dr. Peter Venkman: Nice thinkin', Ray...
Dr. Ray Stantz: It's... Mr. Stay Puft...
Dr. Peter Venkman: Fire!!!
Dr. Peter Venkman: Ya know... we've been going about this all wrong, this Mr. Stay Puft's okay, he's a sailor, he's in New York ...we won't have any trouble...
Winston Zeddemore: That's one big marshmallow...
Toasted? Excellent idea... of course, getting Sheffe tipsy enough to go swinging around light poles with us will be a definite priority... It's so going to happen... can ya feel it Sheffe!? ;)
IDMT
NYC, - Friday, March 16, 2007 at 02:07:41 AM (EST)
@alipat
That great! I saw him awhile ago at Trabica when he was peddling for Snowcake. I thought he was great and so was sigorney but the script was not up to par. Anyways, did you get to talk to him at all?
kate
NYC, - Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 06:44:09 PM (EST)
Hi! It's been years since I posted here and I was glad to find that the beloved guestbook still exists! I was reading my ancient e-mails the other night and found this hilarious snippet. It was sent to me by a friend but it refused to work. Well, last night it worked and I almost fell off my chair.
I remember posting it here years ago but here it comes again. Enjoy! :)
http://www.eviltrailmix.com/snapesexy
Callette
Aurora Borealis - Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 03:36:50 PM (EST)
I saw him, Kate! He was very relaxed and approachable. He was there practically every night in the beginning of the play run and many fans were able to speak with him. He really seemed to be enjoying himself and I am glad I was able to see him in that environment.
AliPat
Dayton, OH USA - Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 08:08:24 AM (EST)
Wow...I am sorry to hear that.
I never caught the NY show...did anyone see him?
Kate
NYC, NY - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at 09:21:24 PM (EST)
ARA, that's such a mess! I hope you are well enough to go later, but what an awful set of accidents.
Ali-Pat, I don't know how you made it anywhere like that--what a condition in which to catch a bus, or a show.
Tres large thanks to R, whose links all work beautifully.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Monday, March 12, 2007 at 05:27:26 PM (EST)
Omigosh, ARA! What a run of bad luck! I can't answer your question about the possibility of AR showing up for the Seattle production, but I feel like I should share the story of my own fall. The very night I was to see MNiRC in New York (on my way to catch a bus, actually), I landed face down on 46th St. and ended up with a broken rib, various cuts and bruises, and a knee the size of a grapefruit. Did that stop me from going to the play? Heck no! Just another example of falling hard for Alan Rickman (LOL!).
Anyway, I hope you are recovered enough in two weeks to go to the play. Whether Alan is there or not, a trip to Seattle is always a pleasure.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Monday, March 12, 2007 at 07:50:54 AM (EST)
I got bronchitis and had to cancel out my trip to NYC to see MNIRC and so I got opening night tickets to the Seattle showing-so of course, I fell down my front steps and fractured two ribs two weeks ago. If Mr. Rickman is going to be there, then it would be worth it to travel so far, but if not, I may stay home and nurse by wounds-does anyone know if he is showing? I am vacillating back and forth, although I really don't feel like traveling just yet...
A Rickman Admirer
- Monday, March 12, 2007 at 01:56:58 AM (EST)
Dear Martha, I think your interpretation of the Interrogator could be true. He might have been beaten down into the monster he became. Peter isn't evil, especially, but he is not a "good" man, either. Pettigrew was always a very scared human, trying to align himself with whatever force he thought superior. Since he refused to make choices about that alignment which included principle, I don't think it took much coercion(sp?)for him to join the Dark Lord, whereas the Interrogator could have had a horrible time before he became the slave of government. And I cling to the belief that Snape, since coming to Dumbledore, has always been on his side.
Dear Susan, I don't know anything about an animus, really, but was working from the given examples. Sounds like quite a few fanfics, yes!
My poor dear charred IDMT, you certainly can write a lot for someone who has become the marshmallow component of a somemore! I guess you are all right, actually. Good. There are enough toasted folks in the world.
I think that we can all have conversations here without worrying. But part of discussion is having one's errors pointed out, if such exist. Another point of discussion usually rests on being able to fortify one's position with something factual, examples or something, which doesn't have to be from the "press kit." (Was that Mouseketeer or Musketeer?) As for tone, perhaps one needs to give the reader a clue. It's not as if we can see each other grinning as we say something we think is funny--one of the limitations of cyber-space at present.
Remind me: were we talking about our interpretations of Alan himself, or our perceptions of how he interprets his roles and brings them to life? because I thought it was the latter, and now I'm confused.
Is "prancing naked across the stage" supposed to mean that you think Radcliffe now has a more sophisticated way of expressing himself, storytelling-wise? What's that got to do with Snape"s role? I'm not seeing the connection.
Completely off topic:I hate daylight savings time! *Yawn*
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Sunday, March 11, 2007 at 06:18:54 PM (EST)
According to a Branagh friend, the CD "A Wider Sky" has music (three tracks) and the RADA portraits done by Cambridge Jones, and is wonderful. She also says that "the CD *comes* with the video on DVD" as well. You can get the set by ordering the CD from Amazon UK for £4.99.
As you remember, Cambridge Jones does fine work (love the fingers and watch CJ).
More info here and here (scroll to bottom).
R
*crossed fingers for links to work*, - Friday, March 09, 2007 at 03:14:08 PM (EST)
Glowbox: Greetings! Agreed on all points.
The role of Snape has become a fascinating social phenomenon. As young adults the Harry Potter generation appears to have clicked with fairly sophisticated themes in classic story-telling. They are now questioning and expounding, and prancing naked across the London stage. I consider this a noteworthy cultural win however it came to us.
True, the villainous characters we have recently discussed aren't gentlemen outside of a small circle. The riddle of interpreting their hypocrisy becomes a central point of conflict for each audience and creates an interesting dialog within the dialog.
As for noting a perceived gentleman persona, I refer to the experimental theater role performers must take on in appeasing the general public. It's this role which performers have the least control over. But it's also the role the public tends to respond to as if it were gospel truth instead of a press kit.
So that's the real question of debate. Which to trust? Tightly doctored press releases, or personal review of how a performer chooses and presents their roles? Which comes closer to making known the personal interpretations of a famous figure?
Either method is subjective. Personal interpretation sharing does however allow for the evolution of ideas away from the "love person X" looping sales script that we are started out with in our Mouscateer press kits.
If given time, analytical discussions can probably strengthen the like-minded demographic that person X's phenomenon has gathered on a given location. Sometimes such discussion even makes an inspired round table.
pia: I don't think younger women looking to alternate male role models for reference in choosing ideal partner traits is dysfunctional. I think it's often a self-realigning measure and a testament to the resiliency of youthful beings. Good for them. I was just mentioning the fundamental importance of being able to discuss topics openly and without judgement.
Sheffe: I'm worried about the shutting down of anyone. An opinion is by nature an informal, subjective remark. Assuming there is ever an omnipotent truth that is completely human perceivable is human folly. For this reason it's always better to assume the best about a post and a poster. The truth in humor is also often not in what is explicitly stated, meaning that what IS explicitly stated is often purposefully ridiculous, and the joke is in the contrast. Misinterpreting the tone of a fellow post is fairly common and definitely not a big deal. Like other things, for some people, it's been known to happen.
I posted alternate opinions. Having differing posts on the same message board is perfectly alright.
Would you like to play Joan of Arc next? Feel free. I must tell you it is rather the experience. Somebody hand over the matches and I'll make smores.
IDMT
NYC, - Friday, March 09, 2007 at 12:45:26 AM (EST)
Greetings to all female Rickmaniacs, as today is International Women's Day!
Georgiana: thanks for the Seattle link posted on the News & Information page. It seemed to me odd in two ways: both because of that unusual method of objecting to MNRC, and because AR isn't on this occasion mentioned as director of the play. Why not? I noticed that the director has a Jewish surname -- could this be an attempt to placate critics of MNRC? Most of these are probably pro-Israel. One could of course think of other explanations; AR may have been too busy to go to Seattle himself -- that kind of thing.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Thursday, March 08, 2007 at 04:19:32 PM (EST)
And continuing that thought, we have yet to see the lengths to which Snape has gone to honor (or not) his principles. - (For those who are Harry Potter fans.)
martha
maine, - Thursday, March 08, 2007 at 07:44:07 AM (EST)
pia susanna and Sheffe - You are correct in that no one "wins" as dead is dead. Perhaps that is some of the reasoning the Interrogator used when he submitted to the will of the government? Perhaps he could see nothing to be gained, and if he had family, much to be lost if he became a martyr to principle. But without those little victories, how would things change? To me, the main question is what will the Interrogator do now? Will he now have the courage to rebel? Sometimes we think that as one person, we can't make much of a difference, that a sacrifice such as the Writer's will not change anything. But it is somewhat similar to the case of Peter Pettigrew. The Dark Lord was too strong for him, he was just a man who felt he wouldn't make a difference. Sirius, on the other hand, would have died in an instant for what - and who - he believed in. I don't think either Peter or the Interrogator are bad people; perhaps just people who felt they couldn't make a difference, so they didn't have the courage to try.
martha
maine, - Thursday, March 08, 2007 at 07:40:19 AM (EST)
Sheffe dear, I don't even know what an animus figure is. But I do think there's a romantic myth deeply imbedded in our culture (my favorite version is Jane Eyre) in which a woman's love heals the wounded heart of a powerful man who then extends his power to shelter her. Sounds like a few thousand fanfics, doesn't it?
Susan
- Wednesday, March 07, 2007 at 07:42:53 PM (EST)
Dear Pia Susanna: I think that the culture shown in Closetland is an amalgamation of many repressive regimes. So often, as in your examples, they have this pattern of taking the creative, imaginative people and eliminating them, maybe because repression necessary to continuing that form of government is even more suffocting to artists and scientists than to others. Such folks need discovery and exploration, not a dictated status quo. They need to move against such regimes to survive, so the powers in charge fear them. Original thought becomes criminal activity.
My friend Susan thinks that the appeal of animus figures is the feeling that they can be saved by love, (frequently they are deeply wounded) and the women want to be the ones to do the saving. They are powerful and emotional guys, and therefore it would be only powerful women who could "tame" them. The idea of being able to keep that surging power focused on oneself... Where were we? Oh, yeah. Afraid I'm rather ignorent in regard to Jung. I'd have to read a lot more than the one book about him I scanned to understand what he was talking about. (I believe that research was concentrated on dream imagery of his and Freud's, at the time.)
" To respect and understand needn't mean to justify, of course." No. I didn't think it could justify their actions--maybe make them a little more understandable. Hook, George, and Heathcliff (for example) are mean, selfish guys.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Wednesday, March 07, 2007 at 07:12:23 PM (EST)
Dear Martha, Thanks for your explanation -- yes, I realize now that the author in CL preserves her integrity. I didn't know AR insisted on those alterations in the script. This matches what I have read about his attitude to the Interrogator.
Dear Sheffe, I really like your words about "creators and thinkers and dreamers", re CL. Such people are perhaps always those who suffer first when any society becomes oppressive, and democracy is reduced to an empty noun. (I believe there are such tendencies in the world today.) Under Hitler, there were writers who emigrated; under Stalin, those who were sent to mental hospitals, or worse. In Fascist Spain, Lorca was shot -- it seems both because he was gay, and because he was a socialist.
I don't know if women actually ARE drawn to "Animus figures". This comes from Jung. I thought it would be interesting to discuss the possibility. I believe that AR respects and tries to understand his characters, with such results as those you mention. To respect and understand needn't mean to justify, of course.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Wednesday, March 07, 2007 at 04:36:25 PM (EST)
Dear Martha, I kinda thought nobody won. I thought perhaps part of the point was that when this kind of culture is encouraged or becomes the norm that the whole society loses. It loses creaters and thinkers and dreamers, the forward-thinking people that keep a culture on the track of overall improvement. I see your point about why you think she wins, but I thought the saddest part was that both of them ultimately were removed from their lives. The things they loved and did well and were their greatest good contribution were made impossible for them to do.
Dear Pia Susanna, Thank you for the clarification. I don't know if most women are actually drawn to an animus figure. I think they are drawn, maybe, to the intensity of feeling such a figure brings to a relationship. I think maybe part of Alan's appeal is that he is so good at making us believe the intensity, with the added component of generally finding a way of making the characters seem more human. (For instance, I like George's vanity and frustration.) I think a touch of normal humanity is often missing from these figures, even in the original literature.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Wednesday, March 07, 2007 at 10:00:44 AM (EST)
pia susanna - Yes, she either dies, or is chemically lobotomized. The reason I say she "won" is that she remained with her principles, with herself intact, where he was the one psychologically and morally crushed. I didn't know AR was unhappy with the film; I do know that he had them alter the script to show that the Interrogator was as much a victim of the government as she was.
martha
maine, - Wednesday, March 07, 2007 at 07:46:12 AM (EST)
Thank you all for your info!
I had no idea that Alan wasn't happy with the film. I'm also curious as to why this is. Closet Land is one of my all time favorite films. I haven't seen it in ages because it's not an easy movie to watch at all but his and Stowe's performance blew me away! You don't see acting of that caliber that often anymore.
Fellow Rickman Fan (aka Ashley)
- Tuesday, March 06, 2007 at 05:26:44 PM (EST)
Martha, doesn't she DIE in the end? Or is this only one interpretation? And do you know (or suspect) why AR wasn't satisfied with the film, if it wasn't because he felt the Interrogator didn't come across as the woman's fellow victim?
pia susanna
- Tuesday, March 06, 2007 at 04:38:03 PM (EST)
Thank you, Susan, for explaining this. Let's vote for Butler, then!
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, March 06, 2007 at 04:32:56 PM (EST)
The monthly Hello! poll runs off the winners of the previous four or five weeks. The voting lasts all month, and the winner is in the yearly Finale. Last year Sean Bean beat AR in a monthly vote (over 100 thousand votes cast for each of them) and went on to win the Finale. So AR fans might want to vote for Gerard Butler in this week's poll.
Susan
- Tuesday, March 06, 2007 at 02:24:15 PM (EST)
The monthly poll at Hello! runs off the winners of the month's four weekly polls; the voting is held for a month. Last year Sean Bean beat AR in a monthly poll (over 100 thousand votes cast for each of them) and went on to win the 2006 Finale. So AR fans might vote for Gerard Butler in this week's poll to try to stop Sean Bean, presently in first place, from repeating this history.
Susan CA
- Tuesday, March 06, 2007 at 02:01:39 PM (EST)
fellow rickman fan and pia susanna - I saw Closet Land long before I had read all the interviews and articles about it. To me, it was obvious that the Interrogator was himself a victim of the government. Someone who had been an ordinary man, a professor, a man who played the piano, before they got a hold of him and brainwashed him. Perhaps he had a family that was threatened? Either way, yes, I believe she wore him down, made him remember, against his will, what it had been like before. And I think he was trying to protect her in a way. Well, protect them both. Her from the torture, and himself from having to do it. In the end, even if she was destroyed, so was he, but she had escape - of a kind - and he did not. She was the victor. At least, that's how I see it.
martha
maine, - Tuesday, March 06, 2007 at 08:22:15 AM (EST)
The winner of the Most attractive man poll (Hello!)this week is AR -- rather unsurprising to us. Also, yesterday he had got more than twice the number of votes that runner-up Orlando Bloom had received.
There is, or will be, a monthly poll as well -- don't know how this one works, though.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, March 06, 2007 at 07:46:36 AM (EST)
Dear fellow Rickman fan, Welcome to our enthusiastic group! I never saw Closet Land, so perhaps I shouldn't try to answer your question at all. I never even dared see a certain clip from the film. But I've read something about it; something like this: that AR accepted the role of the Interrogator on the condition that it must be obvious that this character was himself an ex-victim of torture. AR is said to have been disappointed in the editing, and to have told his friends not to see Closet Land. I suppose it was for the reason that, as it was edited, Closet Land does NOT as a matter of fact make it really obvious that the Interrogator, too, has ben tortured. But others know far more about this film than I do. So what do the rest of you say? (I believe this has been discussed before in this Guestbook anyway.)
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, March 05, 2007 at 04:32:54 PM (EST)
Hello, First time here. Sorry if i'm dredging up an older film but I just finished watching "Closet Land" for the second time in years. That movie..whew! A tought one to view. But I have a question about the Film. I posted this question to IMDB a moment ago but I figured I'd post it here as well.
In the film, did anyone else get the feeling that he had been a victim in the past as well? It seems he had two sides fighting within him. One had a sense of compassion and the othe was a part of "the system" and did his job with a viciousness. It seems that the victim was breaking him. Making him see his actions as cruel and unjust. Making him remember what he was. When she said (i can't recall her exact words) "what made you this way?" and he spoke about having been a professor. He seemed lost in his confusion about who and what he was. This made me think that maybe he was a victim as well. Of brainwashing or something of the like. maybe he was created to be what he is by the government? And yes i'm a bit of a fan of conspiracy theories so maybe i'm reading WAY too much into this but i just thought i'd see what you guys thought.
A fellow rickman fan.
- Monday, March 05, 2007 at 03:40:43 PM (EST)
I have notteru ondo!!!! email for upload.
dee <deehalliwell@yahoo.co.ukfoo>
- Monday, March 05, 2007 at 11:11:29 AM (EST)
Dear Sheffe: Your contributions are always thoughtful, and I respect them very much. The plural of "Animus" would, strictly speaking, be "Animi", that of "Anima", "Animae". I didn't mean that discussion to be about AR's deliberate choices when he analyses a role, not about his intentions. More perhaps about the literature some of the characters are drawn from. Also and especially about how readers/audiences react. Women may, I think, rather easily feel drawn to Animus characters (Hook, the Sheriff, Snape, Heathcliff). (No, I know that AR never played Heathcliff.) Strictly speaking, Jung's books are on psychology and psychoanalysis, rather than philosophy. Sorry to be so pedantic.One of my implied points was to try to explain at least some part of AR's appeal to women and girls.
IDMT: Fair enough to point out those facts -- the GB as a very well known site, Snape having attracted (also) very young fans. And thanks for your compliment! I agree with much that you say. There IS a danger in fandom. Yes, it may, at worst, be passivizing -- at best, inspiring!
However, I'm not sure that I think -- as both you and ACC seem to do -- that it's unnatural or scary to feel romantically or sexually drawn to somebody much older. As a teenager I sometimes thought a middle-aged man might be more patient, respectful, polite than the often rather awful boys I sometimes mixed with. The "gentleman syndrome" -- you're quite right there! Part of AR's charm has got a lot to do with that.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, March 05, 2007 at 09:32:56 AM (EST)
Dear, patient Eva Marie--if you are still out there I can answer one of your questions. RADA is the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the drama school that Alan Rickman attended from 1972-74. He has strong ties to his alma mater and is still serves on the Board of Directors or Board of Trustees, if I am not mistaken. You can read more about the school here.
As for AR agreeing to help the children of New Orleans in some way, it never hurts to ask! You can contact him through his agent by using the mailing address on this page.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Monday, March 05, 2007 at 08:51:01 AM (EST)
Hi all and especially IDMT! Gentleman? The Sheriff and Snape? Noooooo. I reckon we all go for the characters played before we even stop to consider the man playing them. I know it was Snape who got me hooked. I bet not many people who don't know AR as an actor stop and stare at him in the street. Fantasy is good for the majority - it helps us cope with our everyday problems. Only a small percentage of people get it mixed up with reality; they're the ones who need professional help.
Glowbox
France - Monday, March 05, 2007 at 05:19:11 AM (EST)
What is even scarier is the very young fans that are not looking at a thirty year old picture, but at the sixty one year old man, and still having romantic and sexual fantasies about him. I can see a fifty odd year old, perhaps, and I do believe that the vast majority of us understand the difference between fantasy and reality, and realize that we do not intimately know the man, with the emphasis on man, and all that involves, not a supernatural being or a god. What a sad state of affairs it is when a man being faithful to a woman for thirty plus years is not the norm any more. Just for that I think he is an exceptional man, and presume that his lady is exceptional also. I wish someone would love me like that.
ACC
- Monday, March 05, 2007 at 01:15:52 AM (EST)
Dear Pia Susanna,
Hooray for the Hello! poll results! May the Bloomies remain as dormant as now.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Sunday, March 04, 2007 at 08:11:12 PM (EST)
Dear IDMT,
It seems to me that you are not nearly as worried about an exchange of opinions as about the shutting down of people whose opinions are--how shall we say it?--unfounded, or unverifiable. If, as you say, this forum is so frequently a first for those entering the AR fan world, perhaps it is reasonable to wish that their information is not just some random opinion with no basis in fact. You want to simply say whatever you think with no proof and have folks consider that too. You say you want everyone's opinions considered and discussed. Fine. Then that also means you need to allow those of us who think he's got lovely aspects to have those opinions as well, without fear of ridicule by the reality brigade. This is not reality. It's the internet. Welcome all, and do your research. Everything you read here may not be the whole truth.
And your generalizations of the professions and outlook of the older fans here is tiresome. Did you take a survey? What instruments did you use? Prove your assertions already.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Sunday, March 04, 2007 at 08:08:31 PM (EST)
Hi all Rickmaniacs,
Just now AR had got 10505 votes in Hello! Orlando Bloom, in 2d place (AR is of course first), had received 4659.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, March 04, 2007 at 09:00:50 AM (EST)
The thing to realize about this board is that it's within the top three listings in all the major search engines. (Top two if you spell Alan like an American.) It was once the top site before IMDB. That means for a majority of people first introduced to Rickman the actor, this is where they go to gather a first impression of what it is they liked about a performance.
In recent years Rickman's most popular character by far is Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films, and while many adults do enjoy the films, this has increased his younger age demographic dramatically. Most of the newer fan base who have only recently discovered something they like about Alan Rickman are not going to be educated librarians or upper-middle class conservatives. Look further at the character of Snape and you see an archetype similar to Nottingham in Robinhood Prince of Thieves and as another poster astutely pointed out (as usual), the classic tale of Captain Hook.
While an older demographic might remember Rickman in his earlier romance roles that first gained him mass appeal when he was a young man, the new demographic of recent fans is not going to visit here immediately aware of that history. Instead they're going to come here with a lot of questions about how it is this or that actor has played a performance that resonates with them. I can understand this, as I was in a very young when I was first introduced to a similar earlier character of Nottingham. I remember thinking about the performance off and on for a few weeks afterward and I recognize that aspect of awareness and questioning very clearly in the torrent of young Harry Potter fans.
It's especially important to consider the oppressive effect that scolding people and deeming their posts diminutive will have on these new site visitors. You get one shot to give people the encouragement to explore the themes Rickman presents in his performances. Shut them down, and you're doing more than one-upping your status in the fan totem among the older demographic still coveting their "early years" playbills. You're turning away the very people who have a main commonality with all of us in that they are largely writers and actors and creative types who are in the earliest exploration of the suitability of a professional career.
The second point of worry is more subtle (as in, more subtle than screaming liar liar and having a foot stamping, can't control yourself tantrum.) Suppressing open discussion of the mechanics and analysis of performance art and the writing behind it is a fairly active and obvious form of discouragement to new posters on this board. But exalting a simple man with a talent to the same status you would give a lover or someone you intimately know all while having simple discourse on a public forum is another issue in that it causes the focus of admiration to shift from proper proportions to more obsessive grounds.
Respect to Rickman's better performances is always completely subjective. Being able to negatively review a performance is just as apt as spending time on a stronger project anyone related to the discussion has done.
The private life (gay or straight) personal ethics (tory or labour) or personal beliefs (monogamy or yes, he really will come down from London to ravish you if you browbeat all these young people daring to question his performances long enough) does not matter. Why attack other people on this board when it's so easy to just let people have their conversations? And why is it some people holding discussions on a forum receive no ill effect from being confronted with topics that do not interest them while others feel they must keep everyone in line with their own personal beliefs or else as silent as possible? Repression is not something that needs to be shared or passed on.
It's a problematic approach. Encouraging younger fans to view Rickman (or any famous performer) in only a romantic, saintly, soft-focus light is doing a disservice to the very nature of their being here, intrigued foremost by the character of Snape, and showing by that calling card a need for something completely different in their lives.
There is a very negative side to fanatics (the word fan tends to lessen the importance of the warning label) that can do great damage in the lives of people who might otherwise be encouraged to become doers in their own right instead of followers of a man they are never going to get. Sorry if that bursts a bubble or two, but it's true. The recent film Venus with Peter O'Toole is good exploration on the reality of that topic. Hopefully the thought of crushing the viagra in the apple sauce makes a more realistic mark in the minds of fan girls caught up with mooching thirty year old overpriced photo op glossies. Perhaps we should consider instead the shy boys waiting for them to strike up a conversation about modern architecture in art class. But they have to look up from the Alan Rickman publicity photos long enough to notice, and there in lies the problem.
What we're up against when we see very young fans unnaturally attracted to a sixty year old is the pervasive industry that made him a star years ago, and is still playing up that romantic image to sell tickets and rentals and DVD box sets to anyone who will buy. These industries are tailored to make the public think they really know the man behind the persona, when often times it's a body double or a retouched photo, or an interview coaching session to teach performers the proper way to answer questions so that no one gets offended and sales do not run the danger of a drought.
What girls are becoming attracted to is not Alan Rickman the man but a representation of a true gentleman, something sorely lacking in modern pop culture. It's often hard to realize there used to be people practically falling out of the sky who looked and acted just as dashing and courteously, and that they were once the norm, not exceptional. But having good taste in men should not be stapled to remote British actors in the minds of these new fans. It's better to be careful that you're not giving people the impression that he's Jesus than it is to hover around Rickman's image like a shrine and give off the impression in the other direction that he is above questioning.
Despite fear mongering to the contrary, nothing offensive has been said and trying to induce conservative values on a group of kids who land here almost explicitly because they find Snape from Harry Potter interesting will only cause contention, confuse, and ultimately turn away interested younger generations nearly at the door of stumbling in on a very beautiful world of art and story making.
These new fans can be encouraged to figure out what they like both as a performance and as an ideal male figure, and should not be re-channeled to apply their interest and fascination as stemming from the benefit of one single man. And you know it's probably unfair to the poor actor as well... they're just living their lives. Taking on projects like My Name is Rachael Corrie may well have been an answer in that direction, and I respect him for pushing to have that performance made, even knowing the possibility that it may well have been a PR stunt.
To step back finally at the nature of "guest-booking," most forum type sites are good natured and fun. Occasionally the level of status a fan thinks they should have is in their mind increasingly based on how much obsessing they have done over the years. Like there's some kind of scouting badge relegating any new opinion to unworthy. But for the rest of us, it's all quite interesting fodder for a Saturday morning mental stretch before the day begins.
In other words, there's always the option to welcome these discussions as not your cup of tea, but it is worthwhile to understand there is always a purpose others might have. Something one poster may consider "off topic" will likely be interesting and "on topic" to someone else. If you're willing to give a few hundred dollars to the starving artists in drama school in London, leave them alone when they're coming to a natural point off the internet to begin an introduction to good performances and the reasons behind them.
Personally I have no fear that a man with three movies a year, who plays roles with smart and edgy themes as far out of bounds as possible and lived through British schooling will break like an egg when confronted with a little humor or informal discussion of his film work. The man is not an invalid so far as I can tell. I'm sure it takes a lot do deal with life at that level, so much so that it would be hard to imagine he needs a task force of evangelists to make him even more popular than he has become.
IDMT
NYC, - Saturday, March 03, 2007 at 07:57:51 AM (EST)
Cheers, CNB!
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Friday, March 02, 2007 at 04:29:19 PM (EST)
Thank you, CNB!
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Friday, March 02, 2007 at 07:47:11 AM (EST)
HELLLLLOOOOOO SUZANNE!!!!!!!!!!! Hey Darling. what you think about this? Got a couple of questions actually. 1- Do YOU really think americans are bullies? 2- What exactly is RADA that Alan holds dear to his heart?-3 How would I find out if Rickman and his charitable cast would like to do something for the children of New Orleans, to boost morale, a cause that is deep to my heart. Imagine children whose homes were blown away get a chance to shake hands with such characters of fantasy. Where fantasy is better than reality? I know that Rickman's girlfreind is a politician. You think this might be up their neighborhood or have people just gotten the wrong ideas about us americans? I hope not. Please understand I am just as sweet as a southern girl can get.
Eva Marie Sherwin <evasherwin@cox.netfoo>
Denham Springs, LA USA - Thursday, March 01, 2007 at 11:33:37 PM (EST)
Wow! I rarely post here (maybe once a year) but I check in and read the posts daily.
I found it sad to see a lot of the comments in here recently. Everyone here is interested in Alan Rickman and 99% of the time he is the one being discussed.
I think it's important to understand that we are all human and at times the conversation will go OT. That's life, and as long as it eventually returns to Alan, no harm no foul.
CNB
Canada - Thursday, March 01, 2007 at 07:46:07 PM (EST)
Dear Pia Susanna, Thanks for the tip. I tried it, but see no evidence that my votes register as anything. Hundreds of rats and mountains of bad words! It either dislikes my browsers or connection speed or both.
About Kierkegaard: I didn't see the relevance of him or Rand or Lewis to the animus topic, but assumed ID put it there for some reason... Of course, I know nothing much about animuses, animussii, anima, what's the plural anyway? I don't think any of it has much to do with how AR chooses to portray characters anyhow. I could be wrong about that. I think you can be a wonderful actor with out necessarily having taken in the pantheon of philosophical takes on a character.
Dear IDMT, I had absolutely nothing to say about any of what you were talking about, so I didn't say anything. Seemed to make a whole lot more sense than sailing in with no knowledge and spouting off, don't you think? I haven't studied much philosophy, and still less of it taken in regards to fleshing out one's character portrayals. I read "On Liberty" by John Stuart Mill, but unless AR plays JSM in a movie or play I don't think that will be, umm, what's the word? Relevant.
Yes, relevant.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 09:20:20 PM (EST)
Sheffe, when I voted it didn't "take" at first: I did it a second time (which is of course forbidden), and, lo and behold, two votes were duly registered! Try!
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 04:50:24 PM (EST)
Hi, you can vote for Mr.Rickman here :
http://www.hellomagazine.com/vote/mostattractiveman/index.html?presentar=ver&reciente=false&reciente=true&error=-2
every 15 minutes
Hana
- Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 02:14:19 PM (EST)
Whah!! My batting average for posting links needs work! Claudia's site is actually this one.
Ali-Pat, red faced
- Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 09:56:46 AM (EST)
Alas--no cause for alarm after all! It is to be both Alan Rickman and Jeremy Irons in Villa Golitsyn! Look here. Thanks to the poster over at Claudia's for this news. It's to be a Gruber Family Reunion!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 09:54:33 AM (EST)
Sheffe, I didn't see where Kierkegaard entered the picture, so I simply asked IDMT about this. It seemed to me a legitimate thing to do.
Susan (I think it was): not all those authors mentioned are esoteric, surely? Maybe Jung could be seen in that light, but hardly C. S. Lewis, a fairly robust Christian writer, and I don't think Kierkegaard either.
Another Kiwi: Do please stay, we're not normally difficult or arrogant!
IDMT: I agree that we shouldn't scare off visitors. I fear we have lost both Johanna and Dumpy Doris.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 07:30:05 AM (EST)
I have always suspected that Mr. Rickman secretly wanted to be a rock star, like every other guy his age LOL-he was disappointed that his tune with Mos Def was cut in STLM, now he will get to sing in Sweeney Todd-not quite rock starrish, but still singing. If he's in it, I may have to drag myself to a musical-no offense to the musical theatre people out there, but I usually feel that they should stop singing and get on with it!
ACC
- Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 12:30:02 AM (EST)
Poor Jeremy Irons; he just can't stop getting scripts that have Rickman's name on them, can he? And fantastic article about Sweeney Todd. I can't believe Sacha Baron Cohen is in this, too! This is going to be one delicious movie!
Julia
Canada - Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 11:55:45 PM (EST)
Or with line breaks even! (Sorry Susan, afraid the scrolling's even worse!)
I've said it before, and I will say it again:
The best rule of thumb for the internet is simply, if you disagree, state your opposing points constructively as your personal opinion (a little humor and playful ribbing doesn't hurt either) and contribute your thoughts as your own ideas and not as a mandate that others must agree with you. It's not a responsibility of anyone to point out when a discussion is not on the particular topic they may want to hear about. It IS however a responsibility to OFFER new topics you want to discuss while not discouraging the other topics you do not feel the need to participate in.
The fact that Susan could not help herself from belittling a new discussion by inferring that the topic would not be of interest to ANY other reader, was in fact extremely funny and sort of heart warming. She obviously cares very much for this forum, which I respect, but doesn't seem to understand that members having discussions or introducing topics that are not her interest, are still using this forum as intended and may still be of interest to the many OTHER people who use this forum.
There's no point in fearing this message board cannot handle activity. Filling up the screen is not the end of the world, and that too, is a little funny that it could possibly be a source of contention, or that we are even having to stop positive contributions to even discuss the concern of it.
Sheffe, I was really surprised you had nothing to say on the influences of Rickman's characters this time around, as the discussion was also partly to encourage you to contribute your thoughts in a positive light, as you are obviously quite intelligent with things to share others would no doubt appreciate knowing. It seemed a conversation your expertise could have greatly benefitted. In fact I'd still appreciate your constructive thoughts. If you are fearful at getting off topic or that you my get looked down upon or seem a hypocrite for having a more lengthy discussion, why don't you post something and see?
So far you and Susan have been the most vocal about dismissing topics. That really leaves no one else to censor or ridicule either of you if you yourselves decide to begin a discussion. And at worst, so what if someone DOES say something? We ALL know they are doomed ;)
Many people prefer to read rather than contribute. In the past I have been one of them, and was sorry to see this board dry up from the negative discouragements. People acting constructively to share their own thoughts will be too busy when they are sharing to worry about the worthiness of someone else's post. But a few negative voices can greatly discourage many new voices.
That doesn't mean there is no interest in having a discussion appear, just that you have to become a leader to lead them, because by in large you have been a key discouraging voice in the discussions. In fact you seem to go to great lengths to end discussions when your intelligence could easily lead you to begin or encourage them.
People are going to look to you now as to whether or not it's ok to speak.
There are many topics related to Alan Rickman, acting, and good writing that fall perfectly in line with the purpose of this forum. Rather than continuing to discourage those topics, why not start one of your own that you can use to encourage new forum users to make up for the ones we have lost at all this discouragement.
I'd really like to know what makes this board in particular so sacred to you as a form of ownership. Do put down the matches for a moment and explain yourself.
IDMT
NYC, - Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 10:22:14 PM (EST)
IDMT, being asked to take something private isn't the same as being flamed.
Pia Susanna, you both lost me when the conversation turned to Kierkegaard! *grin*
Ali-Pat and Magie, thanks for the news.
Susan, their stinking site at Hello won't take my vote--guess I have to try with Mozilla instead of Firefox. Rats!
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 07:23:37 PM (EST)
AR is in this week's Hello! Magazine poll for Most Attractive Man. The biggest competition will probably be Orlando Bloom. http://www.hellomagazine.com/vote/mostattractiveman/index.html
You can vote once every fifteen minutes on each browser you have.
Susan
- Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 12:40:40 PM (EST)
Looks like Villa Golitsyn may no longer be on Alan's schedule. Take a look at the bottom of this article (fourth para from bottom).
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 11:24:53 AM (EST)
Here's some Sweeney Todd news
Magie
- Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 07:43:31 AM (EST)
I give up. this Guest Book is getting too obscure for me.
Another Kiwi
NZ - Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 12:27:14 AM (EST)
sorry for coming out of lurkdom before. I think Ill stay in the shadows. Susan, sorry if you took my comments the wrong way. I thought people were coming down on Pia etc. and I hate to see people attack each other as I have seen in the past on these forums.
be good to each other and cheers y'all.
Bck to lurkdom
Lurker
- Monday, February 26, 2007 at 11:03:09 PM (EST)
Thanks Pia, good to have the clarification on your point and I'm glad to have it. Sorry people keep coming down on everyone, I thought your topic was really wonderful.
Susan: I love you dearly, you just make me smile with your comments, and I mean that with the warmest regard, truly. You're very reliable, and I think it's often nice just to have you around. I'd begun to feel unloved the way you've slacked off from making my comments more popular than they ever would be each time you chase me around with the martyr matches. People love that, you know... sulfer is VERY in this season. I'm practically on a runway at this point, all thanks to you.
But you know, if you really want to get under my skin, try being nice to me. Let me tell you, that what would REALLY frost my cookies... and what would really take the cake? Being nice to Lurker, too... I would really totally hate it if you started discussing your impressions on how good performers like Alan Rickman come up with their excellent performances with TOTAL strangers... as if... is if you were on... a message forum (?)
No seriously, if you did that and there were suddenly this huge explosion of other interesting conversations to be had by people who had so much more expertise than I do, I'd be bummed. You'd effectively stop getting everyone to read me out of sheer bordom from the lack of any other coversations going, and I'd miss all the extra attention you've been so kind as to bestow upon me with each flame. No, no. Forget I mentioned it. I think we have a wonderful relationship exactly as it is...
Lurker: I'm glad you got to enjoy a conversation on a public forum. Thanks for your comments. There are many books available on this topic if you surf around, and it is a fun one, both for actors and writers alike :)
IDMT
NYC, - Monday, February 26, 2007 at 09:53:24 PM (EST)
Susan: in a way I can understand your comments, but the discussion began (also in this case) ON topic. Captain Hook figures in ABA, and my Animus discussion was inspired by both Hook and AR's Snape.It's sometimes hard to tell where exactly to interrupt a discussion in order to stay on topic.
Sheffe: though I often find IDMT's posts interesting, I agree with you about the soap star bit.
IDMT: just a brief comment: yes, AR's Snape is a little ambiguous, gender-wise. But my point was perhaps rather that an Animus figure is masculinity-as-seen-by-a-woman -- not quite the same thing.
Ali-Pat: have looked at the list of suggested roles for AR. I agree with much of this, though I think he's still too young for Lear. The double role Theseus/Oberon might also be suitable.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Monday, February 26, 2007 at 04:57:14 PM (EST)
Or even an odd observation. There, second time's a charm.
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
- Monday, February 26, 2007 at 04:45:25 PM (EST)
Lurker:There's nothing unkind about a participant wanting an AR guestbook to have a bit more to do with Alan Rickman--who, by the way, never actually was a soap star in any day. What an odd obsevation, IDMT!
Sheffe <shethra77@yahoo.comfoo>
Conestoga, PA USA - Monday, February 26, 2007 at 04:43:09 PM (EST)
No, I am not the author of that self-published facfic. (That is not quite what happened on Claudia's GB, by the way.) And I don't see anything unkind about asking two people who are having a private discussion of extremely esoteric works to pls take their conversation private. This is an AR fan board.
Susan
- Monday, February 26, 2007 at 04:05:59 PM (EST)
Susan,that was rather unkind in your comments to Pia and IDMT.
I find their discussion very interesting.
Perhaps you are the susan over at claudias GB that was told to stop talking about her book (someone named Susan wrote a book and is trying to sell it over there) and trying to sell it? This I don't know for a fact, but please leave them alone. They have done nothing wrong. Just having a fun time. Please join in, you are most welcome to contribute towards the conversation.
Thanks and have a good day
lurker
anywhere USA - Monday, February 26, 2007 at 03:53:41 PM (EST)
Pia and IDMT-- How about taking your discussion of Campbell, Lewis, Gaiman, Kierkegaard, Becker, Jung, Rand, Graves, Myers-Briggs, Bettleheim and so on private?
Susan
- Monday, February 26, 2007 at 12:58:47 PM (EST)
Hello from Russia! Good site!
Ruslan <pal_mal@inbox.rufoo>
- Monday, February 26, 2007 at 05:43:45 AM (EST)
I haven't posted here for ages, but I do come and read now and again. Sorry if this has been mentioned before. I'm wondering what's happened to Stezi's Alan Rickman site. Has it changed addresses or gone for good? This is the URL I have: http://www.alan-rickman.nl/index.html
Thanks!
Gaye <gaycrow@hotmail.comfoo>
Adelaide, South Australia - Monday, February 26, 2007 at 01:47:07 AM (EST)
pia: Agreed, when looking at the performance of Snape, you do notice both masculine and feminine body language. It seems to get across conflicting points about the character while canceling out any final verdict on his true motivations. I'd say that's a sign of actor and writer having to work fairly closely together in order for the performance to both hide and hint at the over-arching themes of the story. Rickman was apparently a soap star back in the day, so he's probably been through this before. It's such a good character because its creating a mystery on purpose, or if it's an accident it's a very lucky one.
I think Rowling was aware of this ambiguous use of gender when she saw his performance, as there is a scene in one of the later books where Snape is tipped upside down in his younger years so that his robe skirts fall over his head, humiliating him. It is Harry's mother who comes to his defense against Harry's father, who is responsible for the humiliation. Is Snape all the dark or repressed adult potential the child unintentionally becomes if he does not confront the wrongs done by his parents? How much has Rickman himself influenced the character?
RE: Campbell - Invaluable research to find the most common and therefore most successful archetypes in human story-telling. Hero with A Thousand Faces is pretty dry, what I'd call sleep reading, so you're not alone if you haven't read it all the way through.
RE: C.S. Lewis - I appreciate his philosophy of learning to pick yourself back up as a basic function of adulthood. As far as idolizing the unblinking march into daily human affairs, I'm not one for putting much faith in tea pots orbiting around Saturn. Lewis' apologist philosophy is certainly a pragmatic way to look at life's challenges. I respect him "in his time" meaning some values have a limited shelf life. Neil Gaiman has a recent book out with a story entitled "The Problem of Susan" which is an interesting take on the feminist interpretations of his children's books.
RE: Kierkegaard - I was introduced to Kierkegaard in a book called "Denial of Death" (Ernest Becker) which won the Pulitzer in '74. He rings true with his concerns about organized religions turning away from their graceful humanist roots, and sounds much the way Jung questions the lack of ethics available today within a corporation, especially when it is treated as a legalized entity in the US. The point of including Kierkegaard and Rand in the discussion was just as a tab into the extreme volatility of personal free will against social norms. This is where I tend to respect Rickman, or whoever is behind him playing the Snape role in that way because it's a great little textbook characterization if you want to learn how to intrigue an audience, or write for one.
"Personality is only ripe when a man has made the truth his own."
- Soren Kierkegaard
IDMT
NYC, - Monday, February 26, 2007 at 12:23:27 AM (EST)
PS for IDMT: Was/is C S Lewis a masochist? I have very mixed feelings about him; have read many of his books, but never thought of him in that light before.
Ali-Pat: Glad you like the idea! What a shame about your laptop; was that your only computer? If it was a good laptop, it will of course have gone directly to Cyber Heaven. Thanks for the link; will have a look soon.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, February 25, 2007 at 04:38:04 PM (EST)
Thanks for the suggestion, pia susanna! No, it is not a "Novel Idea", but it will fit very nicely on the Roles for Alanpage. Will be a long time before I do any website updates, however. My faithful, trusty laptop has gone to cyber heaven (copious weeping!).
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Sunday, February 25, 2007 at 03:52:32 PM (EST)
IDMT: Sad to say, I never read Campbell, though I've heard and seen him mentioned quite often. I HAVE read Jung, though, and always found his Animus/Anima fascinating. Robert Graves mentions at least three Anima figures in literature: The Nut-Brown Maid; Shakespeare's Dark Lady (as a literary rather than historical character); and Keats's Belle Dame sans Merci. I don't agree about the Maid; she is far too humble. I believe that Captain Hook could be interpreted as an Animus figure. Last year I began to think of our beloved Professor Snape in the same light -- or darkness! Anima or Animus SHOULD be dark, not necessarily dark-skinned, but with dark hair and eyes. She/he should also be dangerous, threatening, but at the same time attractive. I suppose you know that the Anima represents the suppressed feminine aspect of a man, the Animus the suppressed masculine aspect of a woman. The more repressive any society is, in terms of gender expectations, the more frightening (but perhaps also irresistible) the Anima/Animus will be. There are probably lots of such figures in literature, films, and so forth.
The Myers-Briggs type tests seem virtually unknown here. I don't see where Kierkegaard enters the picture -- please explain. And (sorry about my ignorance) who was/is Rand?
If people interpret me through my poetry, that's fine. That's probably where I'm most myself -- one of the contexts at least. Criticism and scholarly work are a different matter, less personal.
Ali-Pat: have you thought of "Murder in the Cathedral" as a suitable vehicle for AR? Supposing he wouldn't mind starring in a play with such a strong Christian bias, I believe he would be perfect as Archbishop Thomas Becket. AR's authority, his feeling for poetry (it's a verse play), his capacity to register a wide range of emotions, and to respond to what other actors say would be exactly what's needed here. "Murder" isn't a novel, but anyway, you may wish to list it among the "Novel Ideas".
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, February 25, 2007 at 09:13:42 AM (EST)
Happy Birthday Alan! WOO WOO! Hope you live to be 150, LMAO!
Jessy Payne <minicher02@yahoo.comfoo>
Carmel, IN USA - Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 01:13:57 PM (EST)
I hope AR had a good birthday.
Someone sent me this video link--pursuant to the discussion of autism, here is "In My Language". If the link doesn't work, google for it by title.
Renie
(The bear will be in trouble, if I know you, dearest . . . ), *wicked grin* - Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 11:39:22 AM (EST)
Happy Birthday, Alan.
CNB
- Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 10:50:48 PM (EST)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALAN! WOO-HOO!
And the RADA donations currently stand at *drum roll* £680.00! That is increasing nicely, lots of birthday donations I see! Ali-Pat, fantastic post - you obviously did the trick!
Catherine <catherineharpham@hotmail.comfoo>
Reading, UK - Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 04:08:13 PM (EST)
Dear Alan!
I’d like to congratulate you with your birthday! I wish you to have the strongest health, always to be happy, to be loved, new great actor works, much success and youth to your soul. Your actor way is so long but I’ve found out you and your brilliant acting (watching “Harry Potter”) recently. You are not only the most genius actor, but a very handsome man, nice and intelligent person. I’d like to meet the same man as like you in my life cause I did not meet you. My best wishes for you. Olga from Russia.
Olga
Russia - Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 03:52:16 PM (EST)
Happy Birthday To Alan
Jon <jellisfleming@yahoo.co.ukfoo>
Wakefield, UK - Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 01:50:14 PM (EST)
Happy Birthday Alan, you are my most favorite man in the entire world of film. You are an amazing actor, and have the sexiest voice in Hollywood.
xoxo
Sara <saraablake@shaw.cafoo>
Victoria, B.C Canada - Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 11:52:44 AM (EST)
Happy B-day To Rickman!(and me, in four days!) And Happy Mardi Gras to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Love always, EVA!!!!!
Eva Sherwin <evasherwin@cox.netfoo>
Denham Springs, LA USA - Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 10:50:24 AM (EST)
Hello Rickmaniacs... I am Gisele and I am fifteen years old. I am from Argentina, I speak spanish, so I don´t speak english very well. I only saw the four films of Harry Potter, and it was enough for me to realised that I love him!!!.... I would like to know if someone could recomend me a film from Alan.
Thank you and
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALAN!! (21/02)
Gisele
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 08:57:53 AM (EST)
Hello, I am Gisele. I am from Argentina,I speak spanish so I don´t speak english very well, ...It is the first time that I enter in this page and I am very happy, I am fifteen years old and I like very much Alan Rickman.... I only saw Harry Potter films.. and I liked to know if someone could recomend me a film of Alan.
Alan happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
21/02
Gisele
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 08:34:28 AM (EST)
Hello, I am Gisele. I am from Argentina,I speak spanish so I don´t speak english very well, ...It is the first time that I enter in this page and I am very happy, I am fifteen years old and I like very much Alan Rickman.... I only saw Harry Potter films.. and I liked to know if someone could recomend me a film of Alan.
Alan happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
21/02
Gisele
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 08:29:50 AM (EST)
Hello, I am Gisele. I am from Argentina,I speak spanish so I don´t speak english very well, ...It is the first time that I enter in this page and I am very happy, I am fifteen years old and I like very much Alan Rickman.... I only saw Harry Potter films.. and I liked to know if someone could recomend me a film of Alan.
Alan happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
21/02
Gisele <gigu_smile@hotmail.comfoo>
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 08:27:23 AM (EST)
Many, many Happy Returns, dear Alan!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 08:19:07 AM (EST)
Happy Birthday to Mr. Rickman---wishing him a great career and a long, joyous life.
*blowing party horn and tossing handfuls of confetti*
Now, off to see what mischief I can make next door! 8-)
MA (exit, pursued by a bear)
- Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 08:17:08 AM (EST)
Please remember to donate to the RADA fund for AR's birthday which is TOMORROW. You will find the link at the top of this guestbook. This is a very worthy cause, one that is very near to Alan's heart, and I don't think there is a better present we could give him. So far the total is not even 1/4 what we raised last year. If you have been thinking about donating, the time for thinking is over, and the time for action has arrived. :0)
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 03:09:09 PM (EST)
How nice, fitz! I don't really care for that kind of journalism, but AR seems to have a great talent for friendship. He is said to have given also other friends -- notably Ruby Wax -- excellent advice re their careers.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 08:23:37 AM (EST)
There's a news article from people.co.uk about Dexter Fletcher. He mentioned that Alan had helped him by advising him to take on a role which revived his love for acting and found his wife. :)
Click here for the link.
fitz
- Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 02:19:26 AM (EST)
Pia, agreed - captain hook is an even better example. "The Uses of Enchantment" (Bettelheim) got me thinking of how villains are interpreted in a lot of commercial arts. From what I've seen children process the common human archetypes very quickly and without much baggage. They see what they see and interpret from that, still in the process of forming their own personal versions of each archetype from the people around them. Not as much preconception. So they still live in the grey mist area between prose and poetry. I'd say I was still around that age when I saw Robinhood and made the assessments below.
For a lot of kids judgement calls on a character seem to come from emotional responses brought on from details others miss, right down to color schemes and background music, or a look in a close up. Using that link to symbolism has seemed a very useful device for a lot of writers and directors to convey adult themes in a way that can be processed by children and by other people who otherwise wouldn't have the life experience to understand the significance. The whole art of making the real seem metaphorical, and that which is only given a brief glance in real life as merely the echo of the metaphorical is one of life's little entertainments.
It also opens doors for multiple meanings and a sort of direct dialog or running joke between the reader and author. Sort of a way to break the fourth wall without breaking the spell of the story. But it allows people little windows to other parts of the story to be intrigued by during dull mechanical bits. Because writing a story with no boring parts is no easy task. But can it be done??
Anyway, I can't take credit for any of that. Joseph Campbell, grandaddy of archetype theory, Carl Jung (who was influential in theorizing a lot of the personality typology later used by the Myers-Briggs type personality tests), Søren Kierkegaard, right proper moody h#$l raiser of his own time, Ayn Rand, who was all about putting the i in team work, C.S. Lewis, masochist with style, etc.
All of them seemed up for chasing the dragon's tail of human interpretation.
RE: portrait? By portrait I just meant to liken fame as sort of two-dimensional representation. I don't know, it's sort of funny to have a conversation with someone who says they're somewhat famous. How do you feel about how people interpret you through your writings? Do you feel like they're seeing the real you? Or is it a projection that people attach greater significance to by applying their own life experiences?
Kellie: Ha. One democrat. You should visit Austin, aka the blue dot of Texas. It's always the quiet ones ;)
IDMT
NYC, - Friday, February 16, 2007 at 08:34:30 PM (EST)
And thanks for the link to the transcript, Ali-Pat!
pia susanna
- Friday, February 16, 2007 at 08:38:43 AM (EST)
Catherine: of course I realize there would be no obligation to donate anything, and anybody could get in touch through AR's agent. And not everybody has much if any money to spare. I had been half hoping, though, for something we could do together for free before AR's birthday. Somebody (Ali-Pat?)said that these donations are what he appreciates most as a birthday present. This is probably true.I join you, Catherine, in wishing Suzanne, belatedly, Many Happy Returns!
Ali-Pat: thanks for the advice re Claudia's Download Haven. Perhaps "Heaven" would be a better word . . . : ) (The link you posted on 5 February works.) I had seen a very few of these bits and pieces elsewhere -- much was/is quite new to me. And I had a very faded version of "In Demand"; the colours are sharper, fresher in Claudia's version. Also, it's a few seconds longer. I'm enjoying it all when I have the time -- the long ABA clip, for instance. AR looks marvellous in it!I don't know if I dare see anything from CL.
I'm also reading (through this Haven/Heaven) Paton's "horrible book". It has been discussed earlier here, but I'd welcome some comments from those of you who have read it. Knowing it's "full of lies", according to AR, I read it with great caution. It's been criticized for sloppy editing, and I agree. What I dislike most, though, is that Paton so often uses a ghastly kind of "journalese". Also, though I haven't checked anything up, she seems to be careless when quoting. When Alan has said "Well, sex maybe", she skips the "maybe" -- that kind of thing. It's typical of tabloid journalism.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Friday, February 16, 2007 at 08:23:16 AM (EST)
Okay, not sure why the link to Claudia's Download Haven Guestbook did not work, but here is the URL: http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/gb/flipper828.
Ali-Pat of the frozen brain
- Friday, February 16, 2007 at 07:46:13 AM (EST)
Catherine, there are several links to downloads of the BBC Breakast program over at Claudia's. There is also a link to a transcript of the interview here.
Thank you so much for setting up the RADA birthday donation page again this year! I think this fund means more to AR than any little trinket we could send him.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, Extreme Cold USA - Friday, February 16, 2007 at 07:44:19 AM (EST)
Snow Cake is not due for theatrical release in the USA until April so the DVD is unlikely to be released in region 1 very soon (although much about the release of this film has been weird, to say the least). I have never known an all-region DVD player to be for sale in the USA, though they are available via the Internet--how compatible to anything else I don't know--and you can also find instructions on how to "chip" a DVD player to make it region-free.
Susan
- Friday, February 16, 2007 at 03:12:52 AM (EST)
Hello again folks! Belated Birthday Greetings to Suzanne, hope you had a great birthday.
Well, a few days in, and already nearly £400 has been raised for RADA. That's a nice steady start, hopefully we can build on this in the next few weeks. To answer pia susanna's point from a little while ago, absolutely, there is no obligation to donate to RADA at all and I am certainly not in the business of arm-twisting. It's completely appreciated that not everyone will want to or can afford to donate, and also that everyone will have their own way of wanting to wish Alan Rickman a happy birthday. Sending greetings via his agent is a great idea, and I shall be doing that too. The RADA plan started a couple of years ago, and has continued; it seems fitting to choose RADA as it was a great platform for AR, and he continues to be closely involved in their work. The money we donate is ring-fenced for students who most need it; RADA and the particular students have been appreciative and Alan is too. :-)
AR was on the BBC Breakfast programme the other morning, talking about the DVD release of Snowcake, the questions were focused on the autism aspect of the story and he had to state directly that as well as that the story was actually funny! Sadly he wasn't asked to elaborate, but he did talk a bit about Sweeny Todd too. Did anybody else see this?
Catherine <catherineharpham@hotmail.comfoo>
Reading, UK - Thursday, February 15, 2007 at 06:54:36 PM (EST)
Rickmaniacs: the British newspaper The Guardian, at least its late net edition today, has a somewhat weird debate, beginning with the sexiness (or otherwise) of Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice, but branching out. AR has been mentioned -- no prizes for guessing why.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Thursday, February 15, 2007 at 04:36:30 PM (EST)
Thanks. I'll research a release date for the states first. If within the next couple of weeks I still don't have any luck I'll just order it from the UK and buy an all region dvd player. I really want to see this movie!
Kellie Sanchez <the1democrat@yahoo.comfoo>
Tupelo, MS USA - Thursday, February 15, 2007 at 03:57:16 PM (EST)
You will be able to play a Region 2 DVD (from UK) only if you have an 'all-region' or region 2 DVD player. The US machines are generally region 1.
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at 09:56:36 PM (EST)
Happy Valentine's Day, ya'll! I've been on the internet all morning trying to find a copy of Snow Cake on DVD. Will it be released in the US? If I order one from AmazonUK will I be able to watch it here on my DVD player? I'm sorry...I'm not exactly a technology guru. I MUST HAVE IT!!! Also, can' ya'll believe we're not even going to get Perfume in Mississippi? I've even checked in some of my surrounding states and I can't find it!! I'm willing to road trip to see it but where??????? Sometimes living in the bible belt reallly...well..it just plain sucks.
Kellie S. <the1democrat@yahoo.comfoo>
Tupelo, MS USA - Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at 12:47:34 PM (EST)
A gruesome play. I'm not saying it's bad, though.
pia susanna
- Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at 08:57:29 AM (EST)
Tangential to topic: The web is ablaze with articles, comments (and pictures!) of Daniel Radcliffe set to appear in "Equus," with Richard Griffiths, Harry Potter's Uncle Vernon, to play the second lead as the psychiatrist who interviews the disturbed youth. At the Gielgud, opening February 16.
Georgiana
Seattle - Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 09:03:39 PM (EST)
I love Alan Rickman. I know that he really likes theatre a lot. Does anybody know if he's gonna play again at the theatre sometime in the future? Thx...
Nina <nina008b@msn.comfoo>
Athens, Greece - Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 07:47:10 AM (EST)
IDMT: hope you'll have some more lovely dreams soon. The Sheriff one must have been nice. Today it seems millions of people find him cool!I suspect you're right about "a real cultural need".
I often have dialogues, in my head, with people who are alive and, so to speak, real (who/what is real?), dead, or merely imagined.(Though why "merely"?)
"the frightening parent made funny": yes, I suppose you're right there. It holds also for characters like Captain Hook, I think. Compare ABA.
I'm certainly creative, though not conservative, at least not in the political sense (possibly in some non-political senses?).
I first discovered AR in HP, as many seem to have done in recent years. Later I suddenly remembered he's in Emma Thompson's book -- had it (still have it) on one of my shelves. Odd, how memory and awareness work! I hadn't yet seen S&S; I did that a few months later, and loved it. I thought it's the best Austen adaptation I'd seen. I got the book in an unorthodox way (for an AR admirer): a newspaper editor sent it to me, and a bit later another editor let me review it. This was years BEFORE I saw the film, please note, and the book was still new.
I didn't quite understand your very last lines -- "a great portrait"? Whose, of whom? But as usual you write well, and what you say is intriguing.
pia susanna
edinburgh, scotland - Sunday, February 11, 2007 at 08:21:49 AM (EST)
Hi,
i really love this page. the sounds are amazing.
i think Alan Rickman is a brilliant actor, but i can't get all of his films, becouse i1m hungarian. it's a pity.
tomorrow i will go and watch parfume.
cool site, cool actor!
Serena
Serena <charmed-ocean@freemail.hufoo>
Budapest, Hungary - Friday, February 09, 2007 at 08:16:48 PM (EST)
Hi, Ali-Pat, I admire your studiousness. Reading even...:-)
I love your lists, by the way. Thanks. And thanks for the welcome.
mortianna
- Friday, February 09, 2007 at 08:06:05 AM (EST)
Sorry about that second "count"!
Ali-Pat, last in her formatting class
- Friday, February 09, 2007 at 07:42:57 AM (EST)
Welcome back Mortianna, and welcome Eva!
It does take Slope forever to show up, doesn't it? One hour 53 minutes by my countmy count. It helps to know that the television series was based on two different books and Slope doesn't appear in the first book at all. I recently read the second book, Barchester Towers (the first book is The Warden), and was amazed at some of the back story. For example, Slope originally had an informal arrangement to marry one of the Proudy daughters. Also, the Proudys were much worse off financially than the Grantlys. Helps to explain some of the underlying tension in the story, I think.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, February 09, 2007 at 07:41:02 AM (EST)
OT:
that's the problem, Renie, I CAN.*shudder* and that image won't leave me for a long time, thank you very much. sporting that wig he wears in that Mona Lisa thingy (haven't seen it, only watched trailers on TV).
alert: I don't have a thing against Tom Hanks but I think the world has seen enough Robin Hoods already, if they have to do it all over again, they could at least choose someone attractive, what about Johnny Depp? Wouldn't even have to change his hair style from Pirates 10-15...
haven't come any further with Barchester. there is a lot of talking for sure, and still no slimy slippery Slope. I think I'll give George (bought the advanced version ages ago and still haven't seen it, childcare does that to you) a try on the weekend.
have a nice one, all.
mortianna
- Friday, February 09, 2007 at 03:37:33 AM (EST)
Wow! So many people out there. Guess I should introduce myself. My name is Eva,origanlly from Oak Ridge,Tennessee.But my boyfriend and I are currently living in Louisiana. He's part of the massive post-hurricane Katrina cleanup still going on.I was born on Feb. 25, 1976. Well, enough about me. Glad to meet you all. I had orignally discovered Mr. Rickman for myself through the Harry Potter movies. I'd seen Maggie Smith's face on the movie trailers,she's a familiar face here in the states and never seen one of her works I did not like. And through the film I was introduced to a world of actors I had not yet come to know. And I guess I discovered what all of you already know! Alan really owns the screen when he is on there, doesn't he? Then I came across this site curious to know what other works he'd done that I might have missed. And thought it a shame not to mention to the creators of this page on on a well put together piece of information. Suppose I'll tell you what struck me about Mr. Rickman. I'll have to say it was on his interview at the end of one of the Harry Potter movies when he was crediting the "crafts-people" and all the many, many people who had had a hand in creating these movies. How elegant of him! Harry Potter will be one of those classics that will still be popular for generations to come. J.K Rowlings is the Mary Shelley of our time. This is more than a book or a movie. The phenomenom it has created across the world has made this more of a historical event to be viewed for years to come. And I can't think of anyone who deserves it more than Mr. Alan Rickman and the rest of these talented folks. Sincerely, Eva Marie.
Eva Marie Sherwin <evasherwin@cox.netfoo>
Denham Springs, LA USA - Thursday, February 08, 2007 at 03:04:27 PM (EST)
Actually, that was the Bay Area Reporter.
R
*goes to get coffee*, *puts on cuffs and sighs* - Thursday, February 08, 2007 at 01:45:55 PM (EST)
From This is Londonat the end of a review of Anthony Minghella's new film Breaking and Entering:
"While Breaking and Entering fails to take us to the heights of besotted, truly delusional love - as in Juliet Stevenson's matchless duet with her dead lover Jamie (Alan Rickman) of "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" in Truly Madly Deeply - it does speak to an equally important need: the task of keeping our hearts open during a perilous, unlovely time."
Renie
mortianna, the thing is, can't you see Tom Hanks in that Robin Hood outfit? - Thursday, February 08, 2007 at 01:4
