Plot summary of "Elizabethtown", in which Orli will be acting opposite Kirsten Dunst. That seems like an interesting coupling to me and I'm not real sure how it'll play out onscreen....
Gay western busts new sod
I'm very interested in seeing Brokeback Mountain when it actually comes about. A homo-erotic love story between 2 cowboys is definitely something as yet unexplored in the film genre and I'm curious how believable Heath and Jake can make the pairing. Pity they end up married off hetero in the end.... kinda takes the fire out of it....
Film review of Ned Kelly from filmjerk.com
Sunday, March 28, 2004
In a recent interview, Viggo made this lovely comment!
What kind of special bond did you develop with T.J., the horse who
played Hidalgo?
I don't talk about my relationships! (laughs) They do say that you
shouldn't get involved with your co-workers, but sometimes it
happens, you know?
The whole interview is printed below:
FROM MIDDLE EARTH TO SAHARA
Dust storms in the Sahara, endless sand in everything, countless days
of hard yakka, lots of tough stunts - but that's nothing after Lord
of The Rings for Viggo Mortensen, who tells all about his latest
film, Hidalgo, to Jenny Cooney Carrillo - except about his
relationship with the trusty TJ.
Is there anything Viggo Mortensen can't do? Apparently not. The
rugged 46-year-old star who became King Aragorn in the Lord of the
Rings trilogy is also a noted artist who writes poetry, takes
photographs and composes music. Now, he's proven that he can carry a
Hollywood movie without the help of Tolkien, as his adventure drama
film Hidalgo JUST took US$19 million on its US opening weekend.
(Australian release: March 18, 2004)
Hidalgo is based on the (supposedly) true story of cowboy Frank T.
Hopkins, one of the greatest endurance riders in America in the 1890s
who also worked with Buffalo Bill as a show rider. Along with his
beloved mustang horse Hidalgo, Frank becomes the first American
invited to enter the Ocean of Fire, a grueling 300-mile survival race
across the punishing Arabian Desert. With his competitors vowing
victory, the race becomes not only a matter of pride and honour but a
fight for survival as they attempt the impossible.
The down-to-earth Viggo is passionate about this project; he financed
and produced a book of his photographs from the film, titled 'The
Horse is Good', and also produced a short DVD with documentary
footage he shot of Native American Indians talking about Frank T.
Hopkins and his own tribute to Hidalgo, both of which he proudly
hands me as we sit down at a Century City hotel to talk about life
after Lord of the Rings.
How do you feel about western movies?
I worked on Young Guns 2 back in 1990 but otherwise I haven't had
much experience with that genre. I do consider myself fortunate that
most actors don't usually get a chance to even one time be in a movie
that is not only epic and entertaining but also thought-provoking and
has a lot of popular appeal. Now I've done two projects like that in
a row: Lord of the Rings and Hidalgo, so I'm very fortunate.
Are you a fan of any western movies?
I don't have one particular western hero but there are actors who are
not known for being great western actors yet their performances are
great in them. Like in 1947, nobody would have expected Montgomery
Clift to be able to stand up to John Wayne in Red River, a movie I
really like, and that performance as a cowboy is great. I have an
affinity and an interest with Buffalo Bill because on my mother's
side of the family we are related to William F. Cody, so that made it
particularly interesting to work on this story.
What kind of research did you do?
The writer of the movie needed to know all about Arabia and about
that race but as Frank Hopkins, I could be as ignorant as I wanted
about that part of the world because as the character in the story,
even though I'm interested in different cultures, I didn't know
anything about what I was getting myself into when I said yes to be
in that race. So what I needed to focus on to prepare for this role
was just working with horses and getting as comfortable as I could
and understanding as much as I could about how cowboys related to
horses and the way cowboys specifically in 1890 would have acted.
Was it tough?
Yeah, but it was also fun. As a boy I would play at being a cowboy or
an Indian like a lot of boys do and in this movie I get to be in a
way both a cowboy and an Indian! As well as the horse riding my other
job was to do the best job I could at seeming to be fluent equally in
English and Lakota and that was the hardest part.
How realistic was the Native American Indian culture shown in the movie?
Every effort was made by everybody to go the extra mile and take the
authenticity very seriously. We could have shot in California but we
went to South Dakota to shoot the Wounded Knee massacre, and we did
it with Lakota people and a medicine man who was their spiritual
leader, Sonny Richards, who trained people in the ritual of the song
that I also got permission to sing later in the film. When we shot
the massacre scene, even the most hardened crewmembers were moved.
There was a silence and respect that you don't usually see on a movie
set. This is a great adventure story and we wanted to do it right and
with respect for the Arab culture and the Native American Indian
culture.
How physically demanding was this film? Did you have to use doubles
or stuntmen?
I think you can see when you watch this movie that there isn't much
doubling or computer work. What special effects were used were
subtle, and didn't drive the movie. As far as the movie being hard,
certainly after the experience of working with Peter Jackson for the
past few years, it's all relative (laughs)! I remember one day being
in the Sahara Desert and riding on the horse and I passed a couple of
crew members who were grousing a bit about how long we'd been there
and how hot it was and how much they hated the dust storms that
screwed up the cameras and so on - and I actually laughed! Not in a
mean way, but I just said, 'guys, come on!' We spent so long on Lord
of the Rings working in diverse locations and different weather
conditions that it prepared me for pretty much anything. I think the
desert was harder on the horses than on us, because the dust gave
them congestion and the dryness would make their hooves crack no
matter how much grease we put on them, so that was hard.
Did you do all the riding?
There was an excellent stuntman, Mike Watson, who would always try
the difficult things before me but with the exception of one or two
things, I pretty much got to do all of it, and that's not because my
ego requires that I get to do all my stunts as I do here or in Lord
of the Rings, but I know it's of service to the director. You can see
in Hidalgo and Lord of the Rings that it is me in those scenes and
that is helpful to the movie. I rode a lot as a kid and I was
familiar and comfortable with horses so game to try. I do have to
admit that in the middle of some of those stunts I did start to
regret saying yes, when I saw the stallions packed together and I was
barely in control. When you're a kid, you remember going full blast
across fields of high grass and falling and somersaulting off the
horse and you don't think about it. As an adult, you're more fragile
and I was always thinking about 'if I fall off here with all these
rocks, it's going to hurt!' So I think it's good to have a certain
amount of respect for the situation and for the horses.
What kind of special bond did you develop with T.J., the horse who
played Hidalgo?
I don't talk about my relationships! (laughs) They do say that you
shouldn't get involved with your co-workers, but sometimes it
happens, you know?
Now that Lord of the Rings is over, have you been able to digest the
impact that it had on you, personally and professionally?
I'm aware of the fact that I would not have got the part of Frank
Hopkins in this movie without The Fellowship of the Ring, which is
the film that had come out when I got this part. But to be honest
with you, I've been on a press tour for four months talking about
Lord of the Rings and I haven't had time to consider what you're
asking. I have a little less privacy and a little less time for
myself but I have to mostly take that as flattering and as a
compliment. It means that you, together with the other people, have
gotten something right or helped a director get something right.
You've struck a chord and so you can't complain about that too much.
Do you feel you can reclaim your normal life after Lord of the Rings
or will things always be different after success of that level?
Your life is as out of control as you allow it to be, but I think
most of the time I will endeavour to continue to mind my own business
and let other people mind theirs, unless their business infringes on
mine and then I'll say something about it or do something. But I
don't really have an easy answer to that question. I know that for
the next few months I'll be travelling again to talk about making
movies instead of actually making movies (laughs) and I won't be able
to sleep with T.J. every single night (laughs), but these are crosses
we have to bear! I'm not very good at planning ahead and when I am
forced to think too far ahead it stresses me out, so I guess I have
no answer.
What kind of special bond did you develop with T.J., the horse who
played Hidalgo?
I don't talk about my relationships! (laughs) They do say that you
shouldn't get involved with your co-workers, but sometimes it
happens, you know?
The whole interview is printed below:
FROM MIDDLE EARTH TO SAHARA
Dust storms in the Sahara, endless sand in everything, countless days
of hard yakka, lots of tough stunts - but that's nothing after Lord
of The Rings for Viggo Mortensen, who tells all about his latest
film, Hidalgo, to Jenny Cooney Carrillo - except about his
relationship with the trusty TJ.
Is there anything Viggo Mortensen can't do? Apparently not. The
rugged 46-year-old star who became King Aragorn in the Lord of the
Rings trilogy is also a noted artist who writes poetry, takes
photographs and composes music. Now, he's proven that he can carry a
Hollywood movie without the help of Tolkien, as his adventure drama
film Hidalgo JUST took US$19 million on its US opening weekend.
(Australian release: March 18, 2004)
Hidalgo is based on the (supposedly) true story of cowboy Frank T.
Hopkins, one of the greatest endurance riders in America in the 1890s
who also worked with Buffalo Bill as a show rider. Along with his
beloved mustang horse Hidalgo, Frank becomes the first American
invited to enter the Ocean of Fire, a grueling 300-mile survival race
across the punishing Arabian Desert. With his competitors vowing
victory, the race becomes not only a matter of pride and honour but a
fight for survival as they attempt the impossible.
The down-to-earth Viggo is passionate about this project; he financed
and produced a book of his photographs from the film, titled 'The
Horse is Good', and also produced a short DVD with documentary
footage he shot of Native American Indians talking about Frank T.
Hopkins and his own tribute to Hidalgo, both of which he proudly
hands me as we sit down at a Century City hotel to talk about life
after Lord of the Rings.
How do you feel about western movies?
I worked on Young Guns 2 back in 1990 but otherwise I haven't had
much experience with that genre. I do consider myself fortunate that
most actors don't usually get a chance to even one time be in a movie
that is not only epic and entertaining but also thought-provoking and
has a lot of popular appeal. Now I've done two projects like that in
a row: Lord of the Rings and Hidalgo, so I'm very fortunate.
Are you a fan of any western movies?
I don't have one particular western hero but there are actors who are
not known for being great western actors yet their performances are
great in them. Like in 1947, nobody would have expected Montgomery
Clift to be able to stand up to John Wayne in Red River, a movie I
really like, and that performance as a cowboy is great. I have an
affinity and an interest with Buffalo Bill because on my mother's
side of the family we are related to William F. Cody, so that made it
particularly interesting to work on this story.
What kind of research did you do?
The writer of the movie needed to know all about Arabia and about
that race but as Frank Hopkins, I could be as ignorant as I wanted
about that part of the world because as the character in the story,
even though I'm interested in different cultures, I didn't know
anything about what I was getting myself into when I said yes to be
in that race. So what I needed to focus on to prepare for this role
was just working with horses and getting as comfortable as I could
and understanding as much as I could about how cowboys related to
horses and the way cowboys specifically in 1890 would have acted.
Was it tough?
Yeah, but it was also fun. As a boy I would play at being a cowboy or
an Indian like a lot of boys do and in this movie I get to be in a
way both a cowboy and an Indian! As well as the horse riding my other
job was to do the best job I could at seeming to be fluent equally in
English and Lakota and that was the hardest part.
How realistic was the Native American Indian culture shown in the movie?
Every effort was made by everybody to go the extra mile and take the
authenticity very seriously. We could have shot in California but we
went to South Dakota to shoot the Wounded Knee massacre, and we did
it with Lakota people and a medicine man who was their spiritual
leader, Sonny Richards, who trained people in the ritual of the song
that I also got permission to sing later in the film. When we shot
the massacre scene, even the most hardened crewmembers were moved.
There was a silence and respect that you don't usually see on a movie
set. This is a great adventure story and we wanted to do it right and
with respect for the Arab culture and the Native American Indian
culture.
How physically demanding was this film? Did you have to use doubles
or stuntmen?
I think you can see when you watch this movie that there isn't much
doubling or computer work. What special effects were used were
subtle, and didn't drive the movie. As far as the movie being hard,
certainly after the experience of working with Peter Jackson for the
past few years, it's all relative (laughs)! I remember one day being
in the Sahara Desert and riding on the horse and I passed a couple of
crew members who were grousing a bit about how long we'd been there
and how hot it was and how much they hated the dust storms that
screwed up the cameras and so on - and I actually laughed! Not in a
mean way, but I just said, 'guys, come on!' We spent so long on Lord
of the Rings working in diverse locations and different weather
conditions that it prepared me for pretty much anything. I think the
desert was harder on the horses than on us, because the dust gave
them congestion and the dryness would make their hooves crack no
matter how much grease we put on them, so that was hard.
Did you do all the riding?
There was an excellent stuntman, Mike Watson, who would always try
the difficult things before me but with the exception of one or two
things, I pretty much got to do all of it, and that's not because my
ego requires that I get to do all my stunts as I do here or in Lord
of the Rings, but I know it's of service to the director. You can see
in Hidalgo and Lord of the Rings that it is me in those scenes and
that is helpful to the movie. I rode a lot as a kid and I was
familiar and comfortable with horses so game to try. I do have to
admit that in the middle of some of those stunts I did start to
regret saying yes, when I saw the stallions packed together and I was
barely in control. When you're a kid, you remember going full blast
across fields of high grass and falling and somersaulting off the
horse and you don't think about it. As an adult, you're more fragile
and I was always thinking about 'if I fall off here with all these
rocks, it's going to hurt!' So I think it's good to have a certain
amount of respect for the situation and for the horses.
What kind of special bond did you develop with T.J., the horse who
played Hidalgo?
I don't talk about my relationships! (laughs) They do say that you
shouldn't get involved with your co-workers, but sometimes it
happens, you know?
Now that Lord of the Rings is over, have you been able to digest the
impact that it had on you, personally and professionally?
I'm aware of the fact that I would not have got the part of Frank
Hopkins in this movie without The Fellowship of the Ring, which is
the film that had come out when I got this part. But to be honest
with you, I've been on a press tour for four months talking about
Lord of the Rings and I haven't had time to consider what you're
asking. I have a little less privacy and a little less time for
myself but I have to mostly take that as flattering and as a
compliment. It means that you, together with the other people, have
gotten something right or helped a director get something right.
You've struck a chord and so you can't complain about that too much.
Do you feel you can reclaim your normal life after Lord of the Rings
or will things always be different after success of that level?
Your life is as out of control as you allow it to be, but I think
most of the time I will endeavour to continue to mind my own business
and let other people mind theirs, unless their business infringes on
mine and then I'll say something about it or do something. But I
don't really have an easy answer to that question. I know that for
the next few months I'll be travelling again to talk about making
movies instead of actually making movies (laughs) and I won't be able
to sleep with T.J. every single night (laughs), but these are crosses
we have to bear! I'm not very good at planning ahead and when I am
forced to think too far ahead it stresses me out, so I guess I have
no answer.
Viggo comments on Josie rumors (and talks about Henry)
Extract from the Chicago Sun Times 3/8/04 BY CINDY PEARLMAN
KING POP
It is good to be King and even better to be his son. Such is the case
with Viggo Mortensen's 16-year-old son, Henry, who logged time with
Dad on the set of "Hidalgo." "He visited when we shot the Wild West
Show in Montana," says the hunk who rarely talks about his personal
life. He will admit that his son is his hero. "He's always been sort
of an independent spirit. He thinks for himself, which I like. He asks
questions. What I really appreciate about him is he doesn't just
accept anything on face value. He's not rude about it either. What I
say or what his teacher says, well, he thinks about it." As for having
more kids, Viggo says, "Never say never." But he's realistic about
parenting. "A lot of people romanticize being a parent and go into it
without a lot of thought. It's a huge responsibility, something to
take seriously."
Forget rumors that he's about to get hitched to anyone despite the
names in bold face that have been linked to him. "I have no plans to
get married. But I wouldn't say I'd never do it." Also forget gossip
that he's dating British TV actress Josie D'Arby. "Not true at all,"
he says. "And it's really unfortunate that these rumors are out there.
Of course, I do understand that if you're part of a popular movie,
then things happen. She is someone I met at the London premiere of
'Return of the King.' She was introduced to me. I said, 'Hi, how are
you.' I introduced her to some other people and then I went home. And
she said, 'Oh, by the way, I might see you in Paris our next stop.' I
said, 'OK.' I never saw her again."
So how did this rumor get started? "The rumor obviously had to come
from her. And it's stupid because it gets printed everywhere and I'm
answering questions about it from people." He sighs and says, "If
that's what you need to do, good luck to you. It's just not a joke to
me. It gets into my life."
Extract from the Chicago Sun Times 3/8/04 BY CINDY PEARLMAN
KING POP
It is good to be King and even better to be his son. Such is the case
with Viggo Mortensen's 16-year-old son, Henry, who logged time with
Dad on the set of "Hidalgo." "He visited when we shot the Wild West
Show in Montana," says the hunk who rarely talks about his personal
life. He will admit that his son is his hero. "He's always been sort
of an independent spirit. He thinks for himself, which I like. He asks
questions. What I really appreciate about him is he doesn't just
accept anything on face value. He's not rude about it either. What I
say or what his teacher says, well, he thinks about it." As for having
more kids, Viggo says, "Never say never." But he's realistic about
parenting. "A lot of people romanticize being a parent and go into it
without a lot of thought. It's a huge responsibility, something to
take seriously."
Forget rumors that he's about to get hitched to anyone despite the
names in bold face that have been linked to him. "I have no plans to
get married. But I wouldn't say I'd never do it." Also forget gossip
that he's dating British TV actress Josie D'Arby. "Not true at all,"
he says. "And it's really unfortunate that these rumors are out there.
Of course, I do understand that if you're part of a popular movie,
then things happen. She is someone I met at the London premiere of
'Return of the King.' She was introduced to me. I said, 'Hi, how are
you.' I introduced her to some other people and then I went home. And
she said, 'Oh, by the way, I might see you in Paris our next stop.' I
said, 'OK.' I never saw her again."
So how did this rumor get started? "The rumor obviously had to come
from her. And it's stupid because it gets printed everywhere and I'm
answering questions about it from people." He sighs and says, "If
that's what you need to do, good luck to you. It's just not a joke to
me. It gets into my life."
I found a great interview with Lij about "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." The film already came across as something I wanted to see, but after hearing his descriptions of certain aspects I'm definitely in line for tickets!
Saturday, March 27, 2004
The first trailer for The Calcium Kid is out!!
The plot is summarized thusly: In this KO comedy Jimmy Connelly (Orlando Bloom) is a happy-go-lucky milkman who has the burning ambition to become the regional manager for his employers Express Milk Dairies. But Jimmy's life takes an unexpected turn when he accidentally injures Britain's contender for the upcoming boxing World title during a sparring session in his local gym, and puts him out of action. With no time to find a suitable replacement Jimmy is thrust into the boxing ring and onto the world stage as Britain's new hope for the championship, in a match of true David and Goliath proportions.
I must confess, it doesn't exactly sound enrapturing, but I think I'll brave it for the love of Orlando....
The plot is summarized thusly: In this KO comedy Jimmy Connelly (Orlando Bloom) is a happy-go-lucky milkman who has the burning ambition to become the regional manager for his employers Express Milk Dairies. But Jimmy's life takes an unexpected turn when he accidentally injures Britain's contender for the upcoming boxing World title during a sparring session in his local gym, and puts him out of action. With no time to find a suitable replacement Jimmy is thrust into the boxing ring and onto the world stage as Britain's new hope for the championship, in a match of true David and Goliath proportions.
I must confess, it doesn't exactly sound enrapturing, but I think I'll brave it for the love of Orlando....
Recently received a page full of DLs of the LOTR boyz from various appearances. Thought I'd pass the lovelies along....
Thursday, March 25, 2004
The Razz: Viggo's set to reign in Spain.(Features)
Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland); 3/11/2004
Byline: WITH LEE-ANN FULLERTON AND BEVERLEY LYONS
LORD of the Rings star Viggo Mortensen will play the lead role in Spain's most expensive film ever.
Period adventure Alatriste will be shot in Spanish with a budget of pounds 15million.
Viggo, best known for his role as Aragorn in the multi-Oscar-winning
trilogy, will have no problems with the language, having lived in Argentina for many years.
He will play Captain Alatriste, a Spanish soldier-cum-mercenary embroiled in the country's 16th century imperial wars.
A movie insider said: 'The film is based on a five-novel series Las
Aventuras Del Capitan Alatriste written by one of Spain's best-selling
novelists, Arturo Perez Reverte.
'Filming will begin in January next year. We will be shooting in Seville
and Toledo, as well as northern Spain.'
COPYRIGHT 2004 Scottish Daily Record & Sunday
New Straits Times; 3/11/2004; Izwan Ismail
New Straits Times
03-11-2004
Computer effects add excitement to `Hidalgo'
Byline: Izwan Ismail
Edition: Computimes; 2*
Section: Outlook Trends
VIGGO Mortensen, who played the heroic king in The Lord of the Rings has returned but this time as a legendary cowboy in the movie Hidalgo.
Based on the true story of cowboy Frank T. Hopkins, the movie showcases the adventures experienced by him and his beloved horse named Hidalgo when they were invited by a rich Arab named Sheikh Riyadh (played by Omar Sharif) to enter a gruelling 3,000-mile survival race across the punishing terrain of the Arabian desert. Although Hopkins is a well-known long-distance rider in the West, the survival race he is entering is totally a different challenge.
Not only it is held in a deadly Arabian desert, the race, which is also
known as the Ocean of Fire, is the first race in the world to feature an
American mustang and the more superior and bigger Arabian race horses.
With all the competitors vowing to outlast each other, the race becomes not only a matter of pride and honour, but also a fight for survival as they attempt the impossible.
For Hopkins, this race is more than just the normal races he used to
compete in the West, he has to leave his familiar surroundings and
overcome, in a strange place, the obstacles and dangers in his path.
On top of that, he has to prove to the US Army at that time that the
mustang is indeed an excellent breed worth keeping, because the army has plans to kill all the mustangs (which mostly belong to the Red Indians) they have captured and replace them with another breed.
Since the film is named after Hopkins' sorrel and white mustang, the
extraordinary relationship between a horse and owner is emphasised.
Besides Hidalgo, there are 800 other horses, including the mighty Arabians, as well as camels, vultures, rabbits, falcons, donkeys, buffalos, and leopards featured in this film.
In terms of visual effects, most of the computer graphics technology can be seen in three parts of the movie - the sandstorm, the locusts and the leopards scenes.
In one of the scenes, Hopkins and Hidalgo encounter a massive sandstorm that moves like a wave, sucking up and blowing everything in their path. This scene is rather similar to those in the movie The Mummy Returns where sandstorm effect is also used.
In the locust scene, one can see how computer graphics are used extensively to show millions of grasshoppers flying in groups. The use of technology has managed to make this locust scene look sinewy, almost like a school of fish flying in the sky and blocking the sunlight.
As for the leopard scene where two enemies are released to the desert to attack Hopkins and Hidalgo, it is clear that the director had to use
computer graphics as horses and leopards are traditionally enemies. This scene looks very much computerised.
To sum it up, Hidalgo is worth watching. Even though this story is about a horse race in general, there are many interesting elements and scenes in the movie to add more weight to it. Among them are the culture and beliefs of the Red Indians, the Muslim lifestyle, determination, greed, and the real story behind the US Army's victory over the Red Indians.
Hidalgo opens today in local cinemas.
(Copyright 2004)
Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland); 3/11/2004
Byline: WITH LEE-ANN FULLERTON AND BEVERLEY LYONS
LORD of the Rings star Viggo Mortensen will play the lead role in Spain's most expensive film ever.
Period adventure Alatriste will be shot in Spanish with a budget of pounds 15million.
Viggo, best known for his role as Aragorn in the multi-Oscar-winning
trilogy, will have no problems with the language, having lived in Argentina for many years.
He will play Captain Alatriste, a Spanish soldier-cum-mercenary embroiled in the country's 16th century imperial wars.
A movie insider said: 'The film is based on a five-novel series Las
Aventuras Del Capitan Alatriste written by one of Spain's best-selling
novelists, Arturo Perez Reverte.
'Filming will begin in January next year. We will be shooting in Seville
and Toledo, as well as northern Spain.'
COPYRIGHT 2004 Scottish Daily Record & Sunday
New Straits Times; 3/11/2004; Izwan Ismail
New Straits Times
03-11-2004
Computer effects add excitement to `Hidalgo'
Byline: Izwan Ismail
Edition: Computimes; 2*
Section: Outlook Trends
VIGGO Mortensen, who played the heroic king in The Lord of the Rings has returned but this time as a legendary cowboy in the movie Hidalgo.
Based on the true story of cowboy Frank T. Hopkins, the movie showcases the adventures experienced by him and his beloved horse named Hidalgo when they were invited by a rich Arab named Sheikh Riyadh (played by Omar Sharif) to enter a gruelling 3,000-mile survival race across the punishing terrain of the Arabian desert. Although Hopkins is a well-known long-distance rider in the West, the survival race he is entering is totally a different challenge.
Not only it is held in a deadly Arabian desert, the race, which is also
known as the Ocean of Fire, is the first race in the world to feature an
American mustang and the more superior and bigger Arabian race horses.
With all the competitors vowing to outlast each other, the race becomes not only a matter of pride and honour, but also a fight for survival as they attempt the impossible.
For Hopkins, this race is more than just the normal races he used to
compete in the West, he has to leave his familiar surroundings and
overcome, in a strange place, the obstacles and dangers in his path.
On top of that, he has to prove to the US Army at that time that the
mustang is indeed an excellent breed worth keeping, because the army has plans to kill all the mustangs (which mostly belong to the Red Indians) they have captured and replace them with another breed.
Since the film is named after Hopkins' sorrel and white mustang, the
extraordinary relationship between a horse and owner is emphasised.
Besides Hidalgo, there are 800 other horses, including the mighty Arabians, as well as camels, vultures, rabbits, falcons, donkeys, buffalos, and leopards featured in this film.
In terms of visual effects, most of the computer graphics technology can be seen in three parts of the movie - the sandstorm, the locusts and the leopards scenes.
In one of the scenes, Hopkins and Hidalgo encounter a massive sandstorm that moves like a wave, sucking up and blowing everything in their path. This scene is rather similar to those in the movie The Mummy Returns where sandstorm effect is also used.
In the locust scene, one can see how computer graphics are used extensively to show millions of grasshoppers flying in groups. The use of technology has managed to make this locust scene look sinewy, almost like a school of fish flying in the sky and blocking the sunlight.
As for the leopard scene where two enemies are released to the desert to attack Hopkins and Hidalgo, it is clear that the director had to use
computer graphics as horses and leopards are traditionally enemies. This scene looks very much computerised.
To sum it up, Hidalgo is worth watching. Even though this story is about a horse race in general, there are many interesting elements and scenes in the movie to add more weight to it. Among them are the culture and beliefs of the Red Indians, the Muslim lifestyle, determination, greed, and the real story behind the US Army's victory over the Red Indians.
Hidalgo opens today in local cinemas.
(Copyright 2004)
Sunday, March 14, 2004
Glad to hear that Orli's new flick is doing well. Also happy to hear that he's not being written off as yesterday's "It-boy" and that people are aware of his talents and that his career is definitely in the upswing!!
Saturday, March 06, 2004
Visions and Sounds has a whole mess o' great DLs of all the cast members of LOTR from various premieres and appearances.
Scans from Photobucket album of sammie323:
Johnny Depp & Jude Law noms for Oscars
IGN Inteviews Viggo Mortensen
The Lord of the Rings & Hidalgo star discusses horses, learning new languages, photography, and more.
March 03, 2004 - While it's an age-old clichéd observance, especially in relation to meeting actors, it still sends you for a loop when you come face to face with someone who you have perceived to be larger than life and they aren't. Case in point, Viggo Mortensen really is a lot shorter than you would expect. But then again, isn't that often the case with most actors? Let's face it, the very nature of cinema is to create an alternate reality and as such the Silver Screen always makes our celluloidal heroes larger than life.
Physical stature aside, the next thing you notice about Mr. Mortensen is that he's incredibly soft spoken. He talks slowly, in a casually methodical manner that actually let's you see that he is thinking about what he is saying as well as thinking ahead to what he will say next. The result is casually contemplative. In this respect, he's also incredibly down to Earth. Yeah, I know, that's a turn of phrase that is attached to the description of a lot of famous people. Yet in the case of Mortensen, it's aptly accurate. On the day we met in a quiet suite at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in San Francisco, Mortensen was dressed in well-worn blue jeans, a weathered fleece jacket with a hand sewn UN patch over the left breast. His shoes were nowhere to be seen – nothing but socks adorning his feet – and he was drinking tea out of a coconut-sized gourd that had a silver mouthpiece (for easy sipping access) attached to it. He was most un-Hollywood like, completely unpretentious, although a bit tired from his current whirlwind PA tour in support of his latest venture, Hidalgo.
Speaking of which, while most of his Lord of the Rings compatriots have been rather quiet on the film front (with the exception of Sean Astin in 50 First Dates and Liv Tyler in Jersey Girl), Mortensen immediately followed up his epic turn as Aragorn with another stint in a slightly epic-tinged film. This time around, however, the subject matter is based not on fantasy, but rather on the true story of Frank Hopkins, an American cowboy who traveled to the Middle East to participate in the 3000-mile "Ocean of Fire" horse race.
On the surface there are noticeable similarities between the LotR and Hidalgo projects. For starters, Mortensen – who by the way is fluent in several languages – needed to learn the basic nuances of the Lakota language, which he spoke in several scenes during the film. How was learning an almost lost Native American tongue, say in relation to having to learn Elvish for the Lord of the Rings trilogy? "It helps if you know more than one language," Mortensen states. "You have a little head start on adapting, you can get your mouth around certain words and vowel sounds a little easier than if you only come at it from an English speaking background."
So, was one harder than the other to pick up? "Elvish or Lakota?" Mortensen asks rhetorically, pauses ever so briefly, before continuing to elaborate. "No. I mean I think they're similar. Not similar languages, but both in like there were some [words] that were harder [to learn] than others, just like there were in Elvish. I don't think that one was harder than the other. They were quite different, actually. Especially when they're sung. They're both quite beautiful."
Language lessons aside, Hidalgo also required Mortensen to spend an inordinate amount of time upon a horse, almost more than he spent during the filming of LotR. The film utilized upwards of five different horses to reprise the role of the titular Hidalgo. But it was with the main horse, T.J., that Mortensen developed a lasting bond. In fact, the bond was so strong that Mortensen actually purchased T.J. after the filming concluded.
This was not the first time that Mortensen has purchased one of his co-stars, however. "I bought the two horses I rode in Lord of the Rings, as well," he reveals. "I bought the one in Lord of the Rings 'cause I had – even though I wasn't with him all the time, I just developed a real good friendship with him. His name is Eurayus. He kind of came into the movie similar to the way I did. You know, didn't have much preparation and was just thrown in and had to swim, basically. And it was rough on him and it took a while for us to kind of get in sync and for him to be comfortable around the set. So we got to be close and I wanted to stay in touch with him. And, you know, by the end he became almost a real ham. He became so good at it that he was just relaxed and happy. He had been a performing horse, but an equestrian competition horse. So the cameras, lights, and some of the things we had to do...and also the gear. I mean the saddle and chainmail and all that stuff, the battles. So we got through it together and became friends. That was that story.
"And then there's another horse named Kenny that I ride in the beginning of The Two Towers. He's a chestnut brown-colored horse. And he was just pretty and again it was a situation where we were shooting and they didn't have the right horse and I said, 'Lemme just borrow that one,' and I pointed to one of the wranglers who was riding him. So I just jumped on him, put a Rohan saddle on him and I rode him that day, immediately on camera. But he was very easy and relaxed and I just wanted Eurayus to have a buddy."
As for T.J.? "I had no intention of buying a horse off of this movie. But with T.J. he was...I don't know, I just got to really, really like him. He's got such a unique, strong personality. He's a very small horse, you know, technically he's a pony. I mean he's about 14 Hands 2, I guess. And 14 Hands 3 and up is a horse and [anything] below [that] is a pony, technically. He's a small horse, but very intelligent, very quick learner, for a stallion very relaxed on the set. He wasn't afraid or worried about the lights, camera, or anything. He was totally calm. You know that comic strip Andy Capp? That guy with his hat? I just think of him like that. He would just be there like, 'Whatever.' And you see that kind of thing from him a lot. He just did uncanny things. His reactions were consistently appropriate, whether it was displaying jealousy or possessiveness or being the conscience or being like, 'C'mon, let's go' or being annoyed. Do you know what I mean? His expressions were very vivid. I mean you can see it in the film. And you can see that it's not a Mr. Ed or a faked animal story. I didn't know that T.J. would be so into it, you know consistently coming up with stuff. First you think it's coincidence and then you realize, 'Wait a minute!' In rehearsal he's just all over [the place] like a horse, distracted, but as soon as you say, 'Action,' he's like in there, watching people back and forth, rolling his eyes, whatever. It was pretty uncanny. But we saw it. On film you see it, too. And there's a lot of stuff he did that we might not of caught or just wasn't included. Everyday he was doing stuff. It adds a lot, I think, to the story. The story would have been good anyway and you could have filmed it some way to get enough to where you think, 'Okay, the horse has his own kind of view. That's nice.' But not to the extent that you get that in this movie. And a lot of that has to do with the horse himself, just our good luck of having him as that character. And it's amazing to me, he picked up all these tricks and did all these things. Even the acting of being really fried and then falling down, a lot of horses wouldn't just fall like a sack of potatoes, they would go down slowly and protect themselves. And then once down, once you're fussing around and there's cameras and this and that and there's a gun and there's all this movement, they wouldn't stay there, you know what I mean? And for a stallion on top of that, they're just gonna be more touchy. And a stallion whose never worked in the movies before. It's incredible what he did. I mean we were really lucky there. It could have been a lot harder."
Mortensen's love of horses even flowed over into his other passion, photography (Mortensen runs his own publishing company, Perceval Press, and regularly puts out books of his own photography, along with ones highlighting the work of other artists). One of his most recent books, The Horse Is Good, seems to fit in nicely with the relationships he has cultivated with some of his onscreen steeds. "The Horse Is Good was just kind of an exercise. It's just the small part of the results of an exercise that I embarked on pretty much as we started shooting, more or less. Which was I realized that I was gonna be in the saddle most every day and some days all day long. And that point of view is different than sitting here or standing or walking down the street. You're up higher, you're moving a different way, the perspective of the rider through the camera or holding it down lower to get the horse's point of view, with the landscape, the people, and the animals and all that. I thought it would be interesting to do a collection of images, 'cause we'd be in different places – the Northern Plains, U.S., Sahara Desert, the Wild West Show, going down the street, who knows where, on horses. And so that's what that is. So there is some direct connection, but it's also a little more abstract. I mean it was something that interested me on the fringe of doing this movie.
-- Spence D.
Scans from Photobucket album of sammie323:
Johnny Depp & Jude Law noms for Oscars
IGN Inteviews Viggo Mortensen
The Lord of the Rings & Hidalgo star discusses horses, learning new languages, photography, and more.
March 03, 2004 - While it's an age-old clichéd observance, especially in relation to meeting actors, it still sends you for a loop when you come face to face with someone who you have perceived to be larger than life and they aren't. Case in point, Viggo Mortensen really is a lot shorter than you would expect. But then again, isn't that often the case with most actors? Let's face it, the very nature of cinema is to create an alternate reality and as such the Silver Screen always makes our celluloidal heroes larger than life.
Physical stature aside, the next thing you notice about Mr. Mortensen is that he's incredibly soft spoken. He talks slowly, in a casually methodical manner that actually let's you see that he is thinking about what he is saying as well as thinking ahead to what he will say next. The result is casually contemplative. In this respect, he's also incredibly down to Earth. Yeah, I know, that's a turn of phrase that is attached to the description of a lot of famous people. Yet in the case of Mortensen, it's aptly accurate. On the day we met in a quiet suite at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in San Francisco, Mortensen was dressed in well-worn blue jeans, a weathered fleece jacket with a hand sewn UN patch over the left breast. His shoes were nowhere to be seen – nothing but socks adorning his feet – and he was drinking tea out of a coconut-sized gourd that had a silver mouthpiece (for easy sipping access) attached to it. He was most un-Hollywood like, completely unpretentious, although a bit tired from his current whirlwind PA tour in support of his latest venture, Hidalgo.
Speaking of which, while most of his Lord of the Rings compatriots have been rather quiet on the film front (with the exception of Sean Astin in 50 First Dates and Liv Tyler in Jersey Girl), Mortensen immediately followed up his epic turn as Aragorn with another stint in a slightly epic-tinged film. This time around, however, the subject matter is based not on fantasy, but rather on the true story of Frank Hopkins, an American cowboy who traveled to the Middle East to participate in the 3000-mile "Ocean of Fire" horse race.
On the surface there are noticeable similarities between the LotR and Hidalgo projects. For starters, Mortensen – who by the way is fluent in several languages – needed to learn the basic nuances of the Lakota language, which he spoke in several scenes during the film. How was learning an almost lost Native American tongue, say in relation to having to learn Elvish for the Lord of the Rings trilogy? "It helps if you know more than one language," Mortensen states. "You have a little head start on adapting, you can get your mouth around certain words and vowel sounds a little easier than if you only come at it from an English speaking background."
So, was one harder than the other to pick up? "Elvish or Lakota?" Mortensen asks rhetorically, pauses ever so briefly, before continuing to elaborate. "No. I mean I think they're similar. Not similar languages, but both in like there were some [words] that were harder [to learn] than others, just like there were in Elvish. I don't think that one was harder than the other. They were quite different, actually. Especially when they're sung. They're both quite beautiful."
Language lessons aside, Hidalgo also required Mortensen to spend an inordinate amount of time upon a horse, almost more than he spent during the filming of LotR. The film utilized upwards of five different horses to reprise the role of the titular Hidalgo. But it was with the main horse, T.J., that Mortensen developed a lasting bond. In fact, the bond was so strong that Mortensen actually purchased T.J. after the filming concluded.
This was not the first time that Mortensen has purchased one of his co-stars, however. "I bought the two horses I rode in Lord of the Rings, as well," he reveals. "I bought the one in Lord of the Rings 'cause I had – even though I wasn't with him all the time, I just developed a real good friendship with him. His name is Eurayus. He kind of came into the movie similar to the way I did. You know, didn't have much preparation and was just thrown in and had to swim, basically. And it was rough on him and it took a while for us to kind of get in sync and for him to be comfortable around the set. So we got to be close and I wanted to stay in touch with him. And, you know, by the end he became almost a real ham. He became so good at it that he was just relaxed and happy. He had been a performing horse, but an equestrian competition horse. So the cameras, lights, and some of the things we had to do...and also the gear. I mean the saddle and chainmail and all that stuff, the battles. So we got through it together and became friends. That was that story.
"And then there's another horse named Kenny that I ride in the beginning of The Two Towers. He's a chestnut brown-colored horse. And he was just pretty and again it was a situation where we were shooting and they didn't have the right horse and I said, 'Lemme just borrow that one,' and I pointed to one of the wranglers who was riding him. So I just jumped on him, put a Rohan saddle on him and I rode him that day, immediately on camera. But he was very easy and relaxed and I just wanted Eurayus to have a buddy."
As for T.J.? "I had no intention of buying a horse off of this movie. But with T.J. he was...I don't know, I just got to really, really like him. He's got such a unique, strong personality. He's a very small horse, you know, technically he's a pony. I mean he's about 14 Hands 2, I guess. And 14 Hands 3 and up is a horse and [anything] below [that] is a pony, technically. He's a small horse, but very intelligent, very quick learner, for a stallion very relaxed on the set. He wasn't afraid or worried about the lights, camera, or anything. He was totally calm. You know that comic strip Andy Capp? That guy with his hat? I just think of him like that. He would just be there like, 'Whatever.' And you see that kind of thing from him a lot. He just did uncanny things. His reactions were consistently appropriate, whether it was displaying jealousy or possessiveness or being the conscience or being like, 'C'mon, let's go' or being annoyed. Do you know what I mean? His expressions were very vivid. I mean you can see it in the film. And you can see that it's not a Mr. Ed or a faked animal story. I didn't know that T.J. would be so into it, you know consistently coming up with stuff. First you think it's coincidence and then you realize, 'Wait a minute!' In rehearsal he's just all over [the place] like a horse, distracted, but as soon as you say, 'Action,' he's like in there, watching people back and forth, rolling his eyes, whatever. It was pretty uncanny. But we saw it. On film you see it, too. And there's a lot of stuff he did that we might not of caught or just wasn't included. Everyday he was doing stuff. It adds a lot, I think, to the story. The story would have been good anyway and you could have filmed it some way to get enough to where you think, 'Okay, the horse has his own kind of view. That's nice.' But not to the extent that you get that in this movie. And a lot of that has to do with the horse himself, just our good luck of having him as that character. And it's amazing to me, he picked up all these tricks and did all these things. Even the acting of being really fried and then falling down, a lot of horses wouldn't just fall like a sack of potatoes, they would go down slowly and protect themselves. And then once down, once you're fussing around and there's cameras and this and that and there's a gun and there's all this movement, they wouldn't stay there, you know what I mean? And for a stallion on top of that, they're just gonna be more touchy. And a stallion whose never worked in the movies before. It's incredible what he did. I mean we were really lucky there. It could have been a lot harder."
Mortensen's love of horses even flowed over into his other passion, photography (Mortensen runs his own publishing company, Perceval Press, and regularly puts out books of his own photography, along with ones highlighting the work of other artists). One of his most recent books, The Horse Is Good, seems to fit in nicely with the relationships he has cultivated with some of his onscreen steeds. "The Horse Is Good was just kind of an exercise. It's just the small part of the results of an exercise that I embarked on pretty much as we started shooting, more or less. Which was I realized that I was gonna be in the saddle most every day and some days all day long. And that point of view is different than sitting here or standing or walking down the street. You're up higher, you're moving a different way, the perspective of the rider through the camera or holding it down lower to get the horse's point of view, with the landscape, the people, and the animals and all that. I thought it would be interesting to do a collection of images, 'cause we'd be in different places – the Northern Plains, U.S., Sahara Desert, the Wild West Show, going down the street, who knows where, on horses. And so that's what that is. So there is some direct connection, but it's also a little more abstract. I mean it was something that interested me on the fringe of doing this movie.
-- Spence D.
Visions and Sounds has a whole mess o' great DLs of all the cast members of LOTR from various premieres and appearances.
Scans from Photobucket album of sammie323:
Johnny Depp & Jude Law noms for Oscars
[IMG]http://img22.photobucket.com/albums/v65/sammie323/EW%20020604/ew020604judejohnny.jpg[/IMG]
Scans from Photobucket album of sammie323:
Johnny Depp & Jude Law noms for Oscars
[IMG]http://img22.photobucket.com/albums/v65/sammie323/EW%20020604/ew020604judejohnny.jpg[/IMG]
LOTR star Dominic Monaghan answers your questions
Here are your questions answered by Lord of the Rings star Dominic Monaghan.
Ali, Glasgow: "What's your favourite Merry scene from the trilogy?"
DM: "The scene where Merry explains to Pippin in the Two Towers that now they are on this journey and they can't turn back and their home is never going to be the same again."
Jenny Stubbs, Staffordshire: "Were there any scenes that other actors got that you would have liked to film yourself?"
DM: "Lots of Viggo's battle scenes, and I have always been in awe of Sir Ian Holm so to be in Elijah's shoes would have been great."
J, Hants: "Which famous person would you most like to discover had a LOTR cut-out of you in their home?"
DM: "Kylie Minogue or David Beckham."
Doz, Leeds: "In Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, you were my fave person on TV, so I was chuffed to bits to see you in LOTR! But would you ever consider doing Hetty W: The Movie?!"
DM: "I loved making the TV programme. It is close to my heart as it was my first job but I am not sure if I would do a movie."
Hannah, Sunderland: "Did playing a Hobbit for so long, with such a different and more innocent outlook on the world, have an effect on the way you view and live your own life?"
DM: "Totally. I think my soul woke up to a lot more world issues and environmental issues. The Hobbits are sweet and innocent and I hoped some of their qualities have made it into my life."
Richard Wiegold, Cardiff: "I was disappointed that Tom Bombadil wasn't in the films. I reckon he's a self-portrait of JRR, 'cos the Ring has no power over him and also he rescues Frodo from the Willow (as JRR 'saves' Frodo at Mount Doom). What do you think?"
DM: "I think it was not in the movie because it slows down the journey - there is no jeopardy for the Hobbits at that time and people would not have been very interested in seeing that on screen."
Arwen, Rivendell: "Did the whole of the cast really get on well together or were there any personality clashes? Also, do you have any behind the scenes gossip you can tell us?!"
DM: "We all got along splendidly and spent so much time together that we became family. We will always be connected forever as we shared this journey together. Everyone put their egos on the back burner because the films were the important things to focus on. We don't do gossip."
Blue, Lincolnshire: "How would u describe Merry's ideal woman?"
DM: "She would have to enjoy a good time, have a great sense of humor, enjoy throwing parties and have really hairy toes!"
Steph, Newcastle: "Are you pleased that you're now a character in a computer game? If you could have given your character any special power, what would it have been?"
DM: "I love the fact that I am a character in a computer game. I would have given him crazy acrobatic powers so he could be the Jackie Chan of Hobbits."
Rob, Essex: "What was your favourite book of your youth & if it were to make the journey to the big screen which character would u want to portray? Cheers."
DM: "Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory and I would love to have a part in the Tim Burton film - I would be Mike TV."
Here are your questions answered by Lord of the Rings star Dominic Monaghan.
Ali, Glasgow: "What's your favourite Merry scene from the trilogy?"
DM: "The scene where Merry explains to Pippin in the Two Towers that now they are on this journey and they can't turn back and their home is never going to be the same again."
Jenny Stubbs, Staffordshire: "Were there any scenes that other actors got that you would have liked to film yourself?"
DM: "Lots of Viggo's battle scenes, and I have always been in awe of Sir Ian Holm so to be in Elijah's shoes would have been great."
J, Hants: "Which famous person would you most like to discover had a LOTR cut-out of you in their home?"
DM: "Kylie Minogue or David Beckham."
Doz, Leeds: "In Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, you were my fave person on TV, so I was chuffed to bits to see you in LOTR! But would you ever consider doing Hetty W: The Movie?!"
DM: "I loved making the TV programme. It is close to my heart as it was my first job but I am not sure if I would do a movie."
Hannah, Sunderland: "Did playing a Hobbit for so long, with such a different and more innocent outlook on the world, have an effect on the way you view and live your own life?"
DM: "Totally. I think my soul woke up to a lot more world issues and environmental issues. The Hobbits are sweet and innocent and I hoped some of their qualities have made it into my life."
Richard Wiegold, Cardiff: "I was disappointed that Tom Bombadil wasn't in the films. I reckon he's a self-portrait of JRR, 'cos the Ring has no power over him and also he rescues Frodo from the Willow (as JRR 'saves' Frodo at Mount Doom). What do you think?"
DM: "I think it was not in the movie because it slows down the journey - there is no jeopardy for the Hobbits at that time and people would not have been very interested in seeing that on screen."
Arwen, Rivendell: "Did the whole of the cast really get on well together or were there any personality clashes? Also, do you have any behind the scenes gossip you can tell us?!"
DM: "We all got along splendidly and spent so much time together that we became family. We will always be connected forever as we shared this journey together. Everyone put their egos on the back burner because the films were the important things to focus on. We don't do gossip."
Blue, Lincolnshire: "How would u describe Merry's ideal woman?"
DM: "She would have to enjoy a good time, have a great sense of humor, enjoy throwing parties and have really hairy toes!"
Steph, Newcastle: "Are you pleased that you're now a character in a computer game? If you could have given your character any special power, what would it have been?"
DM: "I love the fact that I am a character in a computer game. I would have given him crazy acrobatic powers so he could be the Jackie Chan of Hobbits."
Rob, Essex: "What was your favourite book of your youth & if it were to make the journey to the big screen which character would u want to portray? Cheers."
DM: "Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory and I would love to have a part in the Tim Burton film - I would be Mike TV."
Forever a Hobbit: Dominic Monaghan
By JANELLE BROWN
New York TImes
Published: February 29, 2004
LOS ANGELES
Where hobbits go, "Lord of the Rings" fanatics follow. On a Tuesday
night earlier this month in West Hollywood, Dominic Monaghan —
better known as the mischievous hobbit Merry in the trilogy — found
it difficult to walk through a room without fans throwing themselves
at him, offering their allegiance and luck at the Oscars.
At Woo Lae Oak, a Korean barbecue restaurant where Mr. Monaghan is a
regular, a waiter insisted on telling Mr. Monaghan that the
three "Lord of the Rings" films were his favorite movies — ever! —
before he would take his order.
After the waiter moved away, Mr. Monaghan, 27, screwed his elastic
face into a naughty grin and said, "I paid him to say that."
Mr. Monaghan's friends Shoxwaken Hincks, a musician; Callie Kever, a
waitress; Ryan Farhoudie, his personal trainer; and Amy Vasco, who
works in marketing, were optimistic about the Oscars. "They've just
been waiting for all three movies to come out," Mr. Hincks
said. "It's guaranteed to happen this year." (The Academy Awards
show is tonight on ABC.)
Mr. Monaghan ducked his head modestly. "The third one is hard to
enjoy. It's a real journey. Very stressful and emotional."
He ordered for everyone. "O.K., the rule is everyone is in charge of
one dish," he explained, as plates of raw meat and fish began to
arrive. "Cook it and make sure everyone gets some." He seized a
piece of marinated ostrich with his chopsticks and tossed it on the
grill in the center of the table.
The table belched smoke as a round of Hite, a Korean beer, arrived.
Mr. Monaghan speared a scallop: "It's a taste sensation!" he
announced. Unable to sit still, he tapped out rhythms on the table
with his fingers and bounced up and down.
"Hey buddy!" he shouted at no one, in a plausible New Jersey cop
accent. He had been practicing his American accent, he explained. He
was born in Berlin and reared in Manchester, England, and was an
actor on British television before he landed the role in "Lord of
the Rings." Since his return from New Zealand, where the trilogy was
filmed, he has been living in Los Angeles and auditioning for
American films and television shows.
"Some days the accent works, some days it doesn't," he said. "They
go, `That was American? We thought it was Swedish.' "
Conversation turned from "best cover songs ever" (the consensus:
Jeff Buckley's rendition of "Hallelujah"), to Mr. Monaghan's pet
albino snake (the latest in a collection of curious pets, including
a leaf mantis and a black widow spider), to tattoo parlors. Mr.
Monaghan plans to have Beatles lyrics, possibly "Strawberry Fields
Forever," inscribed on his body. "I get tattoos whenever I'm at a
transition in my life," he said. "I got one last year when `Lord of
the Rings' ended, too."
After the last morsel of meat had been properly charred, Mr.
Monaghan took a vote for the next destination: Paris Hilton's
birthday party? "The epitome of wack," it was decided. Instead, five
cars made a caravan up La Cienega to the Spider Club, a lounge in
Hollywood.
The club was half empty, making it easy to claim a V.I.P. table by
the D.J. booth. Mr. Monaghan squirmed in his seat, mouthing the
words to 1980's songs and smoking Parliaments. He stared at an
unlikely middle-aged couple waltzing to "Bizarre Love Triangle," by
New Order. "They're slow-dancing to New Order! How do you do that?"
A round of tequila shots arrived, courtesy of the manager — a fan —
and a trickle of strangers stopped by the table to proclaim their
love of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
"He's always the coolest guy in the room, even when he's with
Orlando Bloom," Mr. Farhoudie said.
By midnight, Mr. Monaghan was looking at his watch. "I've got to get
up early for auditions," he apologized. On the way out, he was
blocked by one last fan, a woman in a feather boa who had to lean in
and shout to be heard over the ear-shattering music. "I just know
your movie's going to win this year," she yelled.
Mr. Monaghan squinched his eyes closed and crossed his fingers.
By JANELLE BROWN
New York TImes
Published: February 29, 2004
LOS ANGELES
Where hobbits go, "Lord of the Rings" fanatics follow. On a Tuesday
night earlier this month in West Hollywood, Dominic Monaghan —
better known as the mischievous hobbit Merry in the trilogy — found
it difficult to walk through a room without fans throwing themselves
at him, offering their allegiance and luck at the Oscars.
At Woo Lae Oak, a Korean barbecue restaurant where Mr. Monaghan is a
regular, a waiter insisted on telling Mr. Monaghan that the
three "Lord of the Rings" films were his favorite movies — ever! —
before he would take his order.
After the waiter moved away, Mr. Monaghan, 27, screwed his elastic
face into a naughty grin and said, "I paid him to say that."
Mr. Monaghan's friends Shoxwaken Hincks, a musician; Callie Kever, a
waitress; Ryan Farhoudie, his personal trainer; and Amy Vasco, who
works in marketing, were optimistic about the Oscars. "They've just
been waiting for all three movies to come out," Mr. Hincks
said. "It's guaranteed to happen this year." (The Academy Awards
show is tonight on ABC.)
Mr. Monaghan ducked his head modestly. "The third one is hard to
enjoy. It's a real journey. Very stressful and emotional."
He ordered for everyone. "O.K., the rule is everyone is in charge of
one dish," he explained, as plates of raw meat and fish began to
arrive. "Cook it and make sure everyone gets some." He seized a
piece of marinated ostrich with his chopsticks and tossed it on the
grill in the center of the table.
The table belched smoke as a round of Hite, a Korean beer, arrived.
Mr. Monaghan speared a scallop: "It's a taste sensation!" he
announced. Unable to sit still, he tapped out rhythms on the table
with his fingers and bounced up and down.
"Hey buddy!" he shouted at no one, in a plausible New Jersey cop
accent. He had been practicing his American accent, he explained. He
was born in Berlin and reared in Manchester, England, and was an
actor on British television before he landed the role in "Lord of
the Rings." Since his return from New Zealand, where the trilogy was
filmed, he has been living in Los Angeles and auditioning for
American films and television shows.
"Some days the accent works, some days it doesn't," he said. "They
go, `That was American? We thought it was Swedish.' "
Conversation turned from "best cover songs ever" (the consensus:
Jeff Buckley's rendition of "Hallelujah"), to Mr. Monaghan's pet
albino snake (the latest in a collection of curious pets, including
a leaf mantis and a black widow spider), to tattoo parlors. Mr.
Monaghan plans to have Beatles lyrics, possibly "Strawberry Fields
Forever," inscribed on his body. "I get tattoos whenever I'm at a
transition in my life," he said. "I got one last year when `Lord of
the Rings' ended, too."
After the last morsel of meat had been properly charred, Mr.
Monaghan took a vote for the next destination: Paris Hilton's
birthday party? "The epitome of wack," it was decided. Instead, five
cars made a caravan up La Cienega to the Spider Club, a lounge in
Hollywood.
The club was half empty, making it easy to claim a V.I.P. table by
the D.J. booth. Mr. Monaghan squirmed in his seat, mouthing the
words to 1980's songs and smoking Parliaments. He stared at an
unlikely middle-aged couple waltzing to "Bizarre Love Triangle," by
New Order. "They're slow-dancing to New Order! How do you do that?"
A round of tequila shots arrived, courtesy of the manager — a fan —
and a trickle of strangers stopped by the table to proclaim their
love of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
"He's always the coolest guy in the room, even when he's with
Orlando Bloom," Mr. Farhoudie said.
By midnight, Mr. Monaghan was looking at his watch. "I've got to get
up early for auditions," he apologized. On the way out, he was
blocked by one last fan, a woman in a feather boa who had to lean in
and shout to be heard over the ear-shattering music. "I just know
your movie's going to win this year," she yelled.
Mr. Monaghan squinched his eyes closed and crossed his fingers.
I certainly wouldn't mind sharing that view... love the flash of thigh.... I wonder if he's a "true Scotsman"?
The National Enquirer: Pic of the Day
The National Enquirer: Pic of the Day
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