17april2008 movies blog Virgin Media
With nothing more than a laptop, some fava beans and The Force, Virgin Media's news-ravenous blogger dissects the week in movies
Ain't he cute?
It's been hailed as one of the best films of the year so far and some people are already tipping it for Oscar glory. However that didn't stop Pixar's Wall-E from getting well and truly upstaged by another vertically challenged star at the movie's UK premiere. The afternoon started well for the lovable robot as he ventured onto the blue carpet to put on a bit of a show, be welcomed by his fans and interviewed by the press - ok, so he was remote controlled but he still looked very, very cool. Interviews done he trundled back up the carpet to have his battery recharged and then the real star of the afternoon arrived – Britain's Got Talent winner George Sampson. But the poor, inexperienced dancer looked genuinely terrified at all the attention he was getting, especially from a couple of shrieking young teenage girls who had come dressed in his famous white shirt, waistcoat and Trilby combo, one of whom screamed 'I love you George!' right in his face.
All this Sampson-mania didn't seem to faze the human cast and crew of Wall-E though. Director Andrew Stanton was happy to lap up the plaudits while legendary Hollywood soundman Ben Burtt seemed delighted to be out his studio and in the fresh air. Meanwhile the statuesque Sigourney Weaver (women that tall don't need to wear high heels!) played it humble, which was probably wise given that her role as the voice of the Ship's Computer is a fairly minor one.
---
Haaaaiiii-yah!
There is a no doubt that Jack Black knows how to push a movie. He was in Leicester Square last night for the UK premiere of Kung Fu Panda and to say that he was accommodating could only be described as an understatement. Having arrived in a Sudan chair (those poor blokes carrying him!), Jack was soon into full Kung Fu mode, pulling moves on the red carpet for fans and press alike. He even got on one of the many podiums where one of the professionals put him through his paces. Add to this his rather snug Kung Fu Panda t-shirt and declaration that the film is a ‘classic’ and it’s fair to say that Paramount certainly got their monies worth out of him.
And the same can probably be said for Dustin Hoffman, one of Jack’s co-stars in the movie. It’s a well know fact that Dustin is absolutely one of the nicest men in show business and he was happy to sign autographs, pose for pictures and he even dished out a few hugs and kisses to those extra lucky fans. But he did show his naughty side – he took control of one movie crew’s camera and shoot footage for them while at the movie’s press conference earlier in the day, he got the assembled press to all shout a rather rude word.
Damn, I hate having to be nice about people!!!!!
---
Caspian, a happy man!
Cor, the O2 is a big ol' place – and it turns out it's actually quite a good place for a movie premiere! The huge tent in North Greenwich was transformed into Narnia last night for the UK premiere of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian as 10,000 paying punters (the announcer actually had the temerity to describe it as the 'people's premiere'!) crowded down the green carpet. And Disney spared no expense – they bought in various stuntmen to wage war on the carpet using swords and armour from the movie. Maybe a red carpet would have been a better idea just in case one got a bit careless with his blade?
The cast arrived by boat – it was described as the 'Prince Caspian Clipper' but in reality it was one of those sightseeing ferries that are normally packed with tourists – and most played the game well. Ben Barnes, Prince Caspian himself, seemed genuinely excited to be the centre of attention while Anna Popplewell, William Moseley, Skandar Keynes and Georgie Henley took things in their stride. Newcomer David Walliams – who has a very small role as the voice of a talking bear – was also happy to chat but we were all warned that Matt Lucas's recent marital problems were strictly off limits. Liam Neeson though was altogether bit grumpier – he signed autographs for some fans and spoke to a handful of TV crews but he gave the rest of us a wide berth. Thanks for nothing Aslan!
---
Big willy style
There can be no denying that Will Smith is a very charismatic man - any time he's at a premiere in London hordes of faithful fans turn out to catch a glimpse and hopefully press the flesh. But the premiere of Hancock has left me feeling a bit sorry for his A-list co-stars. Leicester Sq was buzzing while a rather sneezy Will (I think he may have been suffering from hay fever) went walkabout, happily signing autographs and posing for photos. But once he'd schmoozed certain areas of the square, the pens holding the fans seemed to thin out dramatically, leaving the likes of Charlize Theron (a drop dead gorgeous Oscar winner!!!!!), Jason Bateman (a very funny man) and director Peter Berg (er, a director) out in the cold. Maybe that's why the movie's British baddie Eddie Marsan decided to give things a miss? Still I guess I should look on the bright side – it meant that those who did turn up had more time to spend chatting to us respected members of the press about the movie.
And speaking of the movie – if you like a good superhero movie then you might well be pleasantly surprised.
---
To celebrate the release of the Abba-tastic Mamma Mia! we run though the best musicals ever
