Happy Wednesday everyone! Well, I’ve got a few things to blog about so let’s just get to ’em shall we?
I got a free advanced screening to see RED yesterday, thanks to my hubby’s co-worker. It’s either this or The Last Exorcism, hiiih no way I’d see that one even if someone paid me! I’ve only been to a free screening twice in my life, and with those things you’ve got to arrive early. Good thing I did as the place was quite packed, but luckily I got a pretty good seat. Well anyway, the movie itself was pretty good, from the trailer I expected it to be bombastic, mischievous and fun. Well, that’s exactly what I got. I’ll review it later this week, but for now let me just confess that I think I’ve got a crush on Karl Urban!
….
I first noticed the tall, dark and handsome New Zealander in The Lord of the Rings 2 & 3 as Eomer. He also impressed me as Jason Bourne’s nemesis in Bourne Supremacy (that car chase was killer!), and also as McCoy in the latest film version of Star Trek. So he’s been on my radar for a while but man, he looks absolutely dashing and dynamic as a CIA officer in RED. Every scene frames his face and his moves perfectly. As he’s running around in his suit and tie, even when he’s all bloodied up from his fight with Bruce Willis, my brain kept thinking: Bond! I know I’ve suggested a few Brits for the role, but scrap that, Urban is my top choice now. He’s got the height (6’1″), the looks and the moves to play the super spy, and at 38, he’s the right age, too! Oh, and as Willis’ character pointed out, he’s got cute hair, too. I know that’s not a necessity by any means, but hey it can’t hurt. I mean, I love Craig’s Bond, but when he emerged from the water in his Speedo in Casino Royale, I wasn’t looking at his buff physique so much as I was distracted by counting how many strands protruding from his head 😀
…
Urban recently nabbed a lead role in the superhero flick Judge Dredd. I didn’t know anything about it, but from what I’ve read it sounds like it’s going to be a big departure from Stallone’s version. The producers told Empire that it’ll be “… a very hard, R-rated, gritty, realistic movie… it’s being directed by Pete Travis, we’re shooting with the people who did District 9…” It all sounds well and good, but too bad Urban’s gorgeous mug will be covered by that ginormous helmet 😦 It’s a good start though, hopefully we get to see more of this awesome actor in leading roles of various genres.
….-
Butler as Italian-American goalie Frank Borghi Speaking of awesome, Gerry Butler is starring in a soccer movie Slide that was originally meant to be a baseball movie. The LA Times blog (via Castor’s weekly news) stated that the project “… which was originally titled Confessions of a Little League Coach, is a character comedy that centers on a troubled father trying to make up for lost time by coaching his son’s team — but who finds himself in hot water after some of the local mothers take a little too much of a shine to him (and he to them).” Italian director Gabriele Muccino (Seven Pounds, The Pursuit of Happyness) is to helm the project and Butler will once again produce the movie under his production company Evil Twins.
….
I quite like the premise, sounds like he’ll have the chance to show both his dramatic and comedic side, and his soccer skills, too I might add. This isn’t the the first time Butler’s been in a soccer flick. He was in a small indie Miracle Match (or The Game of Their Lives), which was based on a true story of how the US soccer team beat England 1 – 0 against all odds in 1950. I also think GB is good at playing a parent, despite having no family of his own in real life. The last time he played a father figure to a young son was in the wonderful gem Dear Frankie. I love the fact that he continues to mix things up: he’s playing a Shakespeare nemesis in Coriolanus and an American preacher in Machine Gun Preacher next, so it’ll be nice to see his funny side again in this one.
…. 
Last but not least, the movie I’m excited about The Tourist just got moved up from February 2011 to December 10th of this year. You can read more details about the Angelina Jolie/Johnny Depp’s project in this post.
….
This article suggests that it might boost its chances in the Oscar race. Be that as it may, I’m just excited to see two of my favorite under-appreciated Brits Rufus Sewell and Timothy Dalton. I’m still not sure what roles they’re playing, but no matter, I know they’ll be terrific. The date change means that the film’s main competition will now be The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Fighter starring Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg. I’m looking forward to the latter even though I’m not a boxing fan. I’m more curious to see Bale’s performance, which has been buzzed as being Oscar-worthy. Well, he’s certainly delivered that many times before, it’s just a matter of finally getting the recognition he deserves!
Well there you go, peeps. Any thoughts about any of this topic (especially curious about what you think about Urban as Bond), please chime in below.
FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
I am continually excited about the Tourist but somehow I keep forgetting about it:P Thanks for the reminder Ruth! I guess they don’t need much post-production and can get it out sooner than originally though. Going to help make for a better Christmas season.
Also the Gerry football flick has me very interested. RED looks like a rental but that’s just what I think.
It sounds awesome, Marc, and with our hero Dalton what’s not to like? I just hope he’ll do more movies after this.
Yeah, GB as a dad in a soccer comedy sounds like a winner, and Gabriel’s work is definitely not banal rom-com quality, yes!
RED was quite fun actually, but yeah, if it weren’t free I wouldn’t mind waiting for the dvd… even though seeing Karl Urban on the big screen acting all spy-like, oh be still my heart! 🙂
I am nothing but annoyed by The Tourist because in all the pictures I see of him, I think “Geez, Johnny Depp, why are you trying to look like Russell Crowe? Did they want Russell Crowe, and he was busy?” Poor substitute, IMO. 😉
Hmmm, I didn’t see the Russell Crowe resemblance, I mean Johnny is kinda a smallish/slim guy. I like Russie, but I won’t knock Johnny either. And box office wise, I think JD has a bit more edge.
But look at the pictures. He has gained a fair amount of weight, and has the shoulder-length hair style going … compare to pics of Russell in State of Play. It’s bizarre. Sadly, I am forced to agree with you about the box office edge, but at this point, I am insanely bored by Johnny Depp. Oh look, he’s playing somebody weird/creepy/slightly fey again. Yawn.
Very much looking forward to The Tourist (mainly, of course, to catch Rufus Sewell) and GBs Slide (very much like the theme and genre of this one).
Yes, yes, yes, Becky! Thanks for the tip last nite though I was ready to blog about it 🙂 Glad to be adding Slide to the GB movies I’m looking forward to.
I must admit I didn’t like THE GAME OF THEIR LIVES and I remember it was one of those wretched movies which kept me dozing off in front of telly which I generally never do 🙂 Not even Gerry Berry was enough to keep me interested 🙂
When it comes to MY (and not YOURS 🙂 ) Karl Urban, since I have a spooky gift to predict future stars and recognize true talent 🙂 I’ve first noticed him and took him under my protective wings 🙂 back in previous decade when he was playing sexy Cupid in XENA WARRIOR PRINCESS (you know I watch everything shot Down Under) and mighty Caesar in HERCULES and XENA too.
And here’s a feast for your eyes, Flixy, and you owe me big time after this 🙂 – http://fanzone50.com/KarlUrban/GreenEyes.html
Yeah, it’s nothing memorable, I just mentioned it to point out he did a soccer movie before. He’s so skinny in that movie too, I like him with a bit more meat on his bones.
Ooooh I have to look at those later at home… not sure I like the hair though, but the eyes… melikey the eyes 🙂 Never seen XENA, but I think I prefer him in contemporary attire with shorter hair and five o’clock shadow. Boy, aren’t I picky! 😀
Than Karl as Caesar would better suit your mood :)) http://xena.softassteel.com/characters/A-C/caesar.jpg
Sorry I haven’t replied your comment on this one, but I did go ‘YOWZA!’ when I saw it, Dez, thank you 😀 I somehow always go for guys who look fab in Roman garb, he..he…
I don’t think I will be seeing it but good to hear RED was pretty good. Nice to see Karl Urban get a lead role, this could be big for his career. The premise of Slide should make it a perfect fit for GB, we will see I guess 😉
It’s not bad for a rental. I got a kick out of seeing Mirren and Brian Cox in there, and Karl of course 😀
Yeah, SLIDE does sound very promising and Gabriel has done some pretty good movies so fingers-crossed this’ll be a good one.
I found this blog by searching Gooogle and ended up here. There is some great information here. I just started to make money online and its articles like these that helped me. If you are just starting out you should definitely bookmark this site.
Pingback: Christmas Assortment
I love Karl Urban but Bond should only ever go to a Brit. We’ve got to keep some things sacred!
Hi Katie! Well, they did cast an Australian (George Lazenby), but I guess that didn’t turn out well. I guess you’re right, that’s one role meant only for the Brits, but I certainly would LOVE seeing Karl in other espionage-themed movies though. He looks great running around in suits!