And oh yes...
Apr. 7th, 2006 02:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
annathepiperIt's Russell Crowe's birthday, and he hits the 'life, universe, and everything' number this year. It is also the third anniversary of his wedding to his wife Danielle, and now that they have a second boycub on the way, I expect it's a good day for them indeed.
Oh, and Russ? Let's make this forthcoming year a bit quieter, 'kay? Aside from A Good Year coming out. You can make all the headlines about that you like. And a headline announcing a Master and Commander sequel would be lovely. ^_^
Oh, and Russ? Let's make this forthcoming year a bit quieter, 'kay? Aside from A Good Year coming out. You can make all the headlines about that you like. And a headline announcing a Master and Commander sequel would be lovely. ^_^
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Date: 2006-04-08 02:56 am (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2006-04-08 05:16 pm (UTC)I do find that I miss the books, even when I'm in the middle of reading something else (I have way too many books to catch up on). I think I miss Jack and Stephen, although I can always throw the movie in my DVD player and watch. I figure in another year or so, I'll start the series again. Maybe this time I'll actually finish Treason's Harbour, the only one I never did complete!
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Date: 2006-04-08 08:49 pm (UTC)Jack and Stephen really are wonderful in how you can just come right back to them, aren't they? And as it's a Russell sort of weekend, I am very tempted to make another pass through M&C, though I really ought to watch the commentary track on Gladiator or maybe Cinderella Man.
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Date: 2006-04-08 09:46 pm (UTC)I completely understand about buying the books. I had to get one or two here and there as I had a chance and then when I thought my collection was complete, along came #21! I have all of them now though, in addition to my references like Lobscouse and Spotted Dog, which is so much fun!
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Date: 2006-04-12 01:49 am (UTC)What's in Lobscouse and Spotted Dog (which, I might add, is a fantastic title)?
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Date: 2006-04-13 05:08 pm (UTC)Oh you would love it! You can check it out at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393320944/qid=1144947631/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-4902110-4638452?s=books&v=glance&n=283155.
It's a book that contains recipes to pretty much every dish mentioned in the O'Brien books! So you not only get the infamous pudding that Killick brought to the table in M&C, the one in the shape of the Galapagos, but you also get roasted chicken and even...get ready for this...a recipe for boiled s**t (which Stephen is forced to drink in one scene) and also the proper preparation of rats when eaten by despearte midshipmen! Some of these late Georgian/early Regency dishes I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole, but there's a few in there that are actually quite good. I'd love to try them sometime. But if you're an Aubrey fan -- and I know you are, I think you'd enjoy it!
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Date: 2006-04-18 12:49 am (UTC)I still have the Zorro novel to read (that's the one that I believe Allende wrote...and I probably got her name wrong LOL). I have the new book on the Lincoln assasination -- Manhunt (which Harrison Ford is scheduled to be in...and no, not as Lincoln and not as Booth. He's playing some military officer who was searching out Booth. Still no word on who will play Booth, although the author would like Johnny Depp). Oh and I got Emile Zola's Therese Raquin. Why? Because Gerard Butler is going to be in a new movie version...and my mother loves Gerard...and I got the book at discount when I ordered her the latest DVD in her growing Butler library! *g* But right now I'm reading a bio on Elizabeth I.
I need about 8 more hours in my days LOL
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Date: 2006-04-18 05:33 am (UTC)I heard about Manhunt, too. I hope it turns out better than what I heard of Firewall--which I never got around to seeing!
I have just read You've Got Murder (which I found charming and enjoyable) and His Majesty's Dragon (which was hands down the best damned book I've read all year--pretty much Master and Commander Meets the Dragonriders of Pern ^_^). But two whole shelves' worth of other books await my continued attention!
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Date: 2006-04-18 10:13 pm (UTC)I've heard the author on several programs, and it seems like he has one heck of a book on his hands. But I have to confess...I did cringe a bit when I heard that Harrison Ford had signed onto the movie project. Let's face it: he hasn't had a good track record here lately, critically or box office wise (I'm still kind of surprised that Firewall didn't do better -- I kind of thought it would appeal to some who liked having him back in the action element, but maybe not). I think a lot of the movie is going to hinge on who they cast as Booth. The author wants someone with talent (since Booth was one of the finest actors of his time), but also someone that can play the man to where you hate him for what he stands for. The author's fear is that it will be some appealing actor who will end up eliciting 'the sighs of teenyboppers.' The two being mentioned for Booth right now: Johnny Depp is the front-runner, Orlando Bloom is in second place. I think the author wants Depp.
His Majesty's Dragon is M&C meets the Pern dragonriders (which I used to love back forever ago)??? WOW! LOL
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Date: 2006-04-20 06:14 pm (UTC)The problem with Harry trying to get back into the action element, I think, is that he's just getting too darned old. This doesn't seem to stop Sean Connery, granted, but on the other hand last few times I've seen Harry on TV, he's seemed like he's slowing down noticeably with age. (As opposed to Connery, who seems like he's still coming across with a young man's vitality.) And this can only hurt his credibility as an action hero. Moreover, from what I heard of Firewall, it was just not a good movie in general. That's what kept me away, far more than losing interest in seeing Harrison be an action hero at his age. If he were in a good solid story, sure, I'd be happy to see him in an active film again, but Firewall didn't sound like it fit the bill in any of the reviews I read.
I haven't read the novel so I can't comment on who'd be a good Booth, but hell, if he'd like Johnny Depp for the role I can't say I'd object to that. That boy can, after all, act. I have a huge respect for Mr. Depp's prowess, after seeing him in so many richly varied roles. :) Orlando Bloom, not so much. He's awfully damned pretty, but so far I've only seen him as Legolas and Will Turner, and neither role really felt substantially "different" from the other.
And yep, "M&C Meets the Dragonriders of Pern". I am quite serious, and it works astonishingly well. Let me put it this way--Captain Laurence, the hero of His Majesty's Dragon, may well be about to give Captain Aubrey a run for his money for my reading affections. I'll be able to give a better verdict on this when I read the next two books in the series, which are coming out very soon. ;)
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Date: 2006-04-21 10:00 pm (UTC)Okay..."masked man runs around by night and does dashing things and swashes buckles and such" ilk! LOL *sigh* I love the way you put it.
I think you and I have the same problem with Mr. Ford. I watched him in Hollywood Homicide and felt very uncomfortable...not because I disliked him, but because he just seemed too old to be doing such a ridiculous movie. But I felt uncomfortable watching him in K-19 the Widowmaker and that had nothing to do with age; being a silly movie didn't help and him doing that on-again/off-again Russia accent was ridiculous! I didn't even think about going to see Firewall because the entire story sounded...well...like I'd heard it all before. I'm in agreement with you that if it were a strong action movie he would likely be perfect for the role...and the adaptation of Manhunt might be the ticket.
My Manhunt is on my bookshelf, awaiting the time for me to read it LOL but I'm looking forward to it. I'm not sure if he writes it like a novel or as history but I'll let you know. I just figure he knows what he's talking about when he says that Depp would make a perfect Booth because I can see it too, just in my mind's eye. I think the author's main concern is that the moviegoer -- especially young girls used to seeing Depp in POTC -- will see Booth for what he was, and that whichever actor gets the role doesn't come off completely as some matinee idol, and he realizes it is a danger in casting someone like Depp, but feels he's well worth the chance. After all, Booth was handsome, talented. well-loved, well-known, and the author says it was partially him being so well-known that likely got him the access to the Presidential box that night. I hope that all makes sense. When the author said it, I agreed with his feelings. Just not sure I expressed them well LOL
Captain Laurence, eh? *sigh* Like I don't have enough to read already LOL
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Date: 2006-04-21 11:31 pm (UTC)I never managed to see K-19 either--though I remember people raising objections to his inconsistent Russian accent, yeah.
I get the problem of Depp being perceived as too much of a teenybopper by some audiences--but y'know, I'd be willing to posit that any teenybopper who really doesn't know that Depp is a serious actor and that Jack Sparrow is merely the fluffiest of his recent roles is not likely to go see Manhunt anyway. :)
And indeed, mmmmmm Captain Laurence. Aubrey still has him beat for me just because a) O'Brian's prose is better than Novik's and b) mmmmm violin, but Laurence is awfully swoonable in the same "Napelonic era British officer" way, AND he has a very delightful dragon. :D
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Date: 2006-04-22 10:37 pm (UTC)I only hope you're right, that the audiences that can't see Depp beyond Jack Sparrow will have no interest in seeing him as Booth. That might be a blessing in disguise! *g* And I promise, when I get around to reading the book, I'll let you know how it is, but I'm already visualizing Depp in the part. I'm just wondering how soon they want to start filming, considering that Ford has been cast (his name is already attached to the credits); I'm not sure what Depp's schedule is right now.
You do realize that if you keep this up, I'm going to require a link to the Captain Laurence book! LOL (Amazon preferably thank you *wink*)
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Date: 2006-04-26 04:26 am (UTC)Meanwhile, do let me know if Manhunt is a good read. I've got a pretty hefty list of books I wish to purchase at this point, so I've got reading material to last me for some time. I've also really got to bite the bullet and cull books off my To Read shelf that I just will not read. But perhaps this will clear some space for books that have been specifically recommended to me.
And *sigh*, why did Harry Boy have to wait till his current age to actually have an on-screen love scene? And in a crappy movie, especially?
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Date: 2006-04-26 08:50 pm (UTC)I'll let you know about Manhunt. I heard my doorbell ring a few minutes ago and there was my Zooba online bookstore delivery of a bio on Katherine of Aragon. Which will soon be followed -- I hope -- on a book I decided to purchase on menopause (blegh LOL).
You know...I thought the same thing about what you said about Ford! Such a waste, when we could have seen him making love to Marion Ravenwood or Princess Leia or something LOL
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Date: 2006-04-08 04:31 am (UTC)Does thinking of Russell while I was eating chocolate custard just now make up for not getting him a cake?
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Date: 2006-04-08 04:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-08 04:51 am (UTC)I listened to TOFOG and TOFOG2 ditties on my way home this evening, and I am feeling a need to finally crack open that special extended edition of Gladiator I haven't watched yet. Or maybe Cinderella Man! I'll work some Russell in between the writing this weekend somewhere. ^_^
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Date: 2006-04-08 03:57 pm (UTC)And at least he and Dani won't have to worry about being followed by the paparazzi because those leaches are too busy following in behind Bradgelina and TomKat and the others.
Looking forward to A Good Year but it seems Baz's epic may be on hold (for which some of the Aussie press is blaming Russell of course) only because Baz is so busy crunching budget numbers. Whether it will get off the ground -- who knows at this point! But Nic has moved onto another project in the meantime, as has Russell (with the Ridley/Denzel movie), but maybe when Baz is finished with whatever it is Baz is doing, they'll get to filming sometime in '07.
YES, YES, YES A MILLION TIMES YES!!!
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Date: 2006-04-08 08:45 pm (UTC)I have no real opinion about the epic... I'm sure that if they make it go, it'll be fabulous, just because Russell has an excellent track record with that. And I'll cheerfully go watch anything he does in the meantime!
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Date: 2006-04-08 09:43 pm (UTC)I don't have much of an opinion about the epic myself, except that I was looking forward to seeing Russell in it, and I was hoping to get an intro to Australia's part in WWII because I tend to think their role is often forgotten. If it does get made, then like you, I will happily go see it because of him *sigh*
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Date: 2006-04-12 01:52 am (UTC)I know exactly nil about Australian history, so yeah, it'll be neat to see the movie if/when it gets made... and I guess it's because of this that I am also still vaguely bummed about Eucalyptus. Which I still haven't read, though it awaits my attention on my To Read shelf!
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Date: 2006-04-13 04:47 pm (UTC)I wish that Eucalyptus would get made one day. Russell's not too old for the role -- I think the Storyteller was described (and someone else who has read the book can verify this) as being in his late 30s or could possibly have been older. I still don't regret having read the book, but it's so sad that such a lovely fanciful romance was never made. I just don't know how they were going to rework it so that Nic could play the lead role and make it convincing though. The girl is 19...aging her 15+ years and coming up with a logical reason for her father choosing a husband for her -- like a fairy tale...*sigh* Well anyway, I guess that's why it fell to pieces in the end.
This epic I'd still love to see made if it's feasible. Neither Russell or Nic have bowed out -- it just seems that Baz wants to get all his duckies in a row before they start. And what were the two of them supposed to do until then? Sit around and wait? Ridiculous for the media to even suggest such a thing. Oh well...at least we know Max (the wanker banker as Russell calls him LOL) is on the way this fall...although I'm cringing on thinking of Russell in a Seventies haircut for American Gangster LOL I still think the Disco has led to the downfall of Western Civilization, but that's another story LOL :-P
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Date: 2006-04-18 05:53 am (UTC)And yeah, I think he could still plausibly play a guy in his thirties--he is, after all, about to do just that playing Max. (DAMN, I need that movie. I'm about ready for some Russell in a romantic comedy, I am!) But it is indeed unfortunately a lot harder to have a woman in her thirties look believable playing somebody barely on the upper edge of her teens.
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Date: 2006-04-18 10:20 pm (UTC)I think with Eucalyptus they were going to "age" the heroine so as to fit Nicole, but of course that meant reworking the script as now you'd have a woman in her thirties living a slightly secluded life with her father, who then holds this competition for her hand. I sadly just couldn't imagine it working *shrug* Oh well...maybe one day they'll get back to the script that Russell fell in love with when he first read it...and it won't be the latter script that allegedly left his eyes bulging (I heard rumors that there was a scene in which -- I'm figuring in one of his stories -- Russell would have exposed himself to Elizabeth I. I can't even see the logic behind that one, but never really heard if it was true or not).
I desperately need A Good Year too. I'm glad to have him starring in a romantic comedy! Of course this has only encouraged me to learn more about wines...and I need to see if I can learn how to whip up some French dishes LOL
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Date: 2006-04-20 05:47 pm (UTC)*blinketyblinks at that rumored scene description* I... see. If that was at all accurate, I can't say I'd blame Russell for balking at that. And I'm with you, I think--a woman in her thirties doesn't work in the story concept as well as a much younger woman, certainly not to our modern sensibilities. Though I don't know anything about the time frame and setting of the story, since I haven't read it yet; is there any slack to be cut here if one takes those factors into account?
I know next to nothing about wine! I do know I like Cellarmaster Riesling from one of our local wineries, which is a very light, sweet sort of white wine, and I know that there's certain sorts of wines that go very, very well with fine chocolates and fine cheese, but damned if I could tell you more than that. But that's only next to nothing and not actually nothing, so! :)
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Date: 2006-04-22 11:00 pm (UTC)And with AGY coming soon, I'm determined to learn how to cook a few French dishes LOL
Well, yes, Han Solo's hair is one thing I can thank the Seventies for! LOL
If the Eucalyptus rumored scene is accurate, yes, I can see Russell balking as well. It doesn't make much sense and wasn't even something included in the novel, so sounds like some invention of the screenwriter if they thought they could get away with it (I still keep rambling that there's no logic behind it, but then again, I haven't read the script).
If I remember right, the story takes place after WWII, but it's been a while since I read it so I don't remember exactly. Here's hoping someone that read the book sees my thread and verifies or corrects this. I don't recall a specific year being mentioned, so the time frame may have been more implied or hinted at.
While I realize that many movies simply take a book and are more inspired by it than capturing it word for word, I still think producers or directors need to be careful on occasion. I realize Vivian Leigh was not 16 as was Scarlett O'Hara at the opening of GWTW, but she managed to pull that off due to the way she played her. I'm guessing that with them having to do a major rewrite on Eucalyptus, they were adjusting it for Nicole, which I was afraid was going to lose the fairy tale aspect of it. That may be why Russell later said that he hoped one day to return to the fairy tale aspect of it that attracted him to the original script. The story is very much a modern day fairy tale...without being as insipid as many of the "movie fairy tales" we see these days.
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Date: 2006-04-26 04:22 am (UTC)Hope you can find some French dishes that will be fun to cook. Me, I have no talent for cooking and no real desire to learn to do so, though I appreciate the artistry that can be involved. :)
Eucalyptus is in fact on my To Be Read shelf; I'll verify the time frame for you as soon as I get to it. It's got several other books ahead of it, though, jostling for top spot on the queue. This is what I get for several of my favorite authors having plunked out new books lately!
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Date: 2006-04-26 08:43 pm (UTC)Well if you read my deliriously happy writing from my birthday, I had 20-year-old Tawny port with dessert and coffee. *sigh*
A few years ago, when my then future brother-in-law (who is now my BIL *g*) worked as a waiter at the Oakroom at the Brown, he told me if I ever went there, to do the port sampler. So I went there for lunch on one of my off days, and the sommelier was so nice and chose 5 ports of various ages. We started out with a very young one...Not there yet. Then a 10-year-old. Better. Then a 20-year-old. WOW! Then finally a 30 and 40 year old. I was in HEAVEN! LOL
Well, I learned to cook from my grandmother and my mother so I've always enjoyed doing it when I have time (and that's probably why I fell in love with Babette's Feast *g*). I just figure that in honor of A Good Year, I'd see what I could learn to whip up. LOL
Good luck on catching up with your reading. You sound as bad as me! *g*