New York, Jan 17: Actor Viggo Mortensen is looking so convincing in his new role as a Russian gangster, that when he dropped in for a bowl of soup at a Russian-owned counter, he had people actually believing that he was a real-life bad guy. Mortensen is teaming up with director David Cronenberg once again to star as a cold-blooded gangster in new crime drama “Easter Promises”, a role that required Oscar-winning make-up artist Stephan apply authentic Russian-mafia tattoos on the star. A source revealed that the ‘Lord of the Rings’ star got a taste of the kind of fear the mafia generated when he popped in at a Russian-owned soup counter near the movie’s London set. [More]
Month: January 2007
Sir Ian McKellen is to be a guest speaker at the launch of LGBT History Month in London next month, it was announced last night. “Sir Ian is already a major figure in LGBT history and we’re honoured that he can join us at the launch of History Month,” said Paul Patrick, co-chair of Schools Out. LGBT History Month, which runs through February, was launched three years ago by Schools Out. And this year’s launch will form part of the group’s annual conference. [More]
Judy writes: We just got an email over at AlleyCatScratch.com from someone in Germany that the travelling exhibit will be on the move again in early ’07! Apparently it is going to Berlin, Germany from Feb 1 – April 29. Check out Filmspark Babelsberg or phone 0331 – 721 2800
Dominic Monaghan while promoting the next portion of this season of ABC’s hit series LOST, stopped to comment to iF on the state of affairs with THE HOBBIT movie (prequel to the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy) which is locked in a battle between New Line Cinema and director Peter Jackson. When asked point blank what he thought of the bitter war over the rights to the Tolkien story, the actor very wisely stated, “ This is a very iffy subject that you have to be careful with professionally as an actor because I’ve worked with New Line Cinema and I’ve worked with Pete Jackson and I have good relationships with both of them. My personal feeling as a fan is I think it’s a real shame that New Line and Pete Jackson don’t seem to be able to work out what’s going to happen with THE HOBBIT. I think fans of that franchise would like to see New Line Studios attached with Pete Jackson directing.” [More]
Laura Michelle Kelly, who won an Oliver Award playing the title role in Mary Poppins, will play the powerful elf queen Galadriel. Shakespearean actor Malcolm Storry will take the role of magician Gandalf. The £13m musical, which premiered to mixed reviews in Toronto, Canada, is due to open at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 19 June. [More]
It was just over three years ago that “The Lord of the Rings” Symphony had its premiere with a performance in Wellington, New Zealand. Organizers hoped that Howard Shore’s extensive reworking of music from a trio of “Lord of the Rings” films would enjoy a respectable life on the concert stage. They may not have been prepared for how respectable that international response became. Indeed, Shore’s extended musical gloss on J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythic universe has become something of an international phenomenon.
Louisville audiences will be able to see and hear just what all the fuss is all about Friday and Saturday. The Louisville Orchestra, joined by a bevy of adult and children’s choirs, will perform the complete “Lord of the Rings” Symphony in the Kentucky Center’s Whitney Hall. It will be conducted by Charles Floyd, a well-regarded pianist and conductor who studied with celebrated pianist Lee Luvisi at the University of Louisville School of Music. [More]