Happy midweek, folks. After all the labor-intensive posts I’ve been churning out, I thought I’d have a completely random post for today. And to change things up, I’ll just share five random things and then turn it over to you to share your take on that given topic (you can do all five or just pick a topic). I’ve never done this before on this blog, so just go along with it, would ya? Yes? Well all right then, here we go.
I saw Taken over the weekend. It wasn’t planned or anything, it was Saturday evening and we were checking what’s available Amazon Video on Demand. The only thing I’ve heard about Taken was that it’s Liam Neeson going the bad-ass action hero route, so more Qui-Gon Jin and less Oskar Schindler. Well guess what, I enjoyed it. A lot. Sure the beginning is kinda slow and Maggie Grace was freakishly annoying as his kidnapped daughter, but I totally bought Neeson as Bond + Bourne on steroids. Funny how the poster features his quote from the movie. Cheesy though it may be, I thought it was pretty cool when he said it. By the end of it I immediately went, ‘All right! When is Taken 2 coming out?’ 😀
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Well, though I agree with ScarletSp1der’s comment that Neeson is in way too many movies, he’s a darn good actor. If I were to list five favorite Liam Neeson films, I’d go with: Schindler’s List, Shining Through, Batman Begins, Love Actually and A-Team. Now, how about you?
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Four films I saw in December and January featured the trailer for Adjustment Bureau. Surprisingly, I was ok with it even though the trailer is really nothing special. Then suddenly it dawned on me, maybe I’ve come to really like Matt Damon?
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If you’re wondering why I’m baffled, well it’s because for the longest time, I really was indifferent towards him. A lot of women seem to love him, guys dig him and the media thinks he’s all that, even to the point of crowning him Sexiest Man Alive. All the while I went, huh?? But then I saw the Bourne movies and started to see what the fuss is about this dude. I’ve since seen him in a lot of movies, including The Good Shepherd, The Informant!, Invictus, and most recently, True Grit, and have come to really respect him as an actor.
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So my question to you is: which actors you’re previously indifferent with who slowly grows on you, perhaps even ends up becoming your favorite?
…..- Thanks to gbGALS Twitter feeds, I found these two deleted scenes from one of Gerry Butler’s earlier films called One More Kiss. This is a tiny romantic indie set in Scotland that centers on Sarah, a cancer-stricken career woman who decides to live her remaining short life with the only man she’s ever loved, only to find out that he’s now married. Butler plays Sam, Sarah’s childhood sweetheart who’s torn between his love for her and his commitment to his wife, Charlotte.
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I think the film is quite good, though it could’ve showed more scenes of Sam with his wife to balance things out. Well, these two scenes show Sam and his wife in their happier times. It’s funny to hear how thick his Scottish accent was back then. Anyway, I wish they had kept these scenes in the film!
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P.S. The director of this movie is Vadim Jean, the same one who will hopefully reunite with Butler again for the Robert Burns biopic.
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Well, what deleted scene(s) have you seen in a given film that you think should not have been left out?
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While we’re still on the subject of Butler, check out this behind-the-scene video of his L’Oreal commercial. Y’know, I love the guy but I’d never thought of him as skincare spokesperson material, ahah. Anyway, they’re making it very Bond-like, which is quite fitting given all the Bond rumors surrounding the Scot. Of course he’s never formally offered the role, but a lot of women would agree with me that he’d make a fiiiine super spy 😀 Btw, Dezzy @ Hollywood Spy just have his poll results in on the very topic, Butler lost out to English actor Richard Armitage, who I also think would make an excellent 007. Personally, I’d rather see him continue playing a variety of roles than be stuck playing one iconic role.
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No, I’m not going to ask you who should be the next Bond (though if you think of one, feel free to share). What I’d like to know is, what’s the most memorable commercial you’ve seen featuring a Hollywood actor/actress?
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Well, yesterday was Julia Ormond’s 45th birthday. The funny thing was, at a meeting yesterday afternoon, I was actually thinking about the rom-com Sabrina, the 1995 remake of the Audrey Hepburn version directed by the late Sydney Pollack. It’s not very well-received by critics but I actually love it.
I’ve seen it countless times and I adore Ormond in the title role. Harrison Ford and Greg Kinnear are also wonderful as the brothers who’re in love with Sabrina. The tone is pretty light and there are lots of comical moments peppered throughout, especially when David (played with glee by Kinnear) falls hard for her and fails to recognize her despite having lived in the same house for years! The soundtrack is one of my all time favorites, the music really complements the movie well and it’s unabashedly romantic. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it.
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So my last question for you is, what’s your favorite classics remake?
Well, that’s it for Five for the Fifth. Now please pick a question out of the five above or better yet, do ’em all!
FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
Let’s see… I haven’t seen a lot of Neeson, but I’ll go: Batman Begins, Schindler’s List, Kinsey, Phantom Menace, and The Haunting.
I used to loahte Seth Rogen, but I don’t anymore. The same goes for Paul Rudd. I doubt I’ll ever become huge fans but I’m no longer avoiding their movies, which is a step in the right direction.
There’s a really great deleted scene from There Will be Blood that features DDL/Plainview speaking to the patriarch of the Sunday family. It really sets up Plainview as a dastardly guy and I was shocked that it hit the cutting room floor.
A few weeks ago, someone sent me a really great Pizza Hut ad that ran in the UK. It was directed by Edgar Wright and it had Nick Frost in it. And it was a real thing, not a spoof. The best part is that you could tell pretty quickly that Edgar Wright directed the ad. And if anyone looks like a pizza parlor regular, it’s Nick Frost.
As for the remakes, it’s kind of hard to say anything but “True Grit” right now. I betcha that’ll be a really popular answer.
Ach! That’s “loathe” and not “loahte”. Yikes.
He..he.. No problemo, John. But I’m notorious about spelling as well so I get ya.
Wahooo, thanks for doing all five, John!
I haven’t seen Kinsey and The Haunting yet, but Phantom Menace, huh? I’m guessing you’re a die hard Star Wars fan? 😉
Eh, I don’t know if I’ll ever get over my aversion for Rogen, but I like Rudd.
You’re really making me even more curious about TWBB, John. I think you’ve just convinced me to finally check that one out.
Hey, do you have the link for that Pizza commercial? That’d be a hoot to watch. Is Simon Pegg in there, too?
Ah yes, True Grit would be another one of my answer, too.
Heh… I had to choose five, and the only other options (that I’d seen) were Darkman and Nell. It was a quandary. ‘Cause I’m not a HUGE fan of any of those.
I’m hoping you like TWBB but I sure hope I haven’t led you astray. If you don’t mind me asking, what’s the aversion? It’s really not very violent. But it is ugly (in a good way). If you’ve seen and enjoyed Treasure of the Sierra Madre, it had a big influence on TWBB. That may help you enjoy it more.
Here’s the ad:
It’s so over the top intense. I mean, who puts jump cuts in a pizza advertisement? Only Edgar Wright would do something like that.
Oh I like Darkman, too. Too bad they replaced him with Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy) as I thought Liam was good in the first one.
Oh I don’t think you’d be leading me astray about TWBB, John. Well it’s not an aversion, more like trepidation… it just looks overly bleak and that bowling scene (you know which one) really, really terrifies me. I mean, I like bowling so I really don’t want to have such a fun sport be ruined by a movie scene. Silly I know. BUT, I love Daniel so I really should give it a chance.
I’ll watch that clip later today, thanks for sending me!
Have you seen “The Shape of Things”? I think its his most acting-intensive role to date
*The last comment is referring to Paul Rudd.
I have not. I’m sort of on the fence with it.
Ok, I just read what ‘The Shape of Things’ is about. Not sure I want to watch that, the subject matter doesn’t interest me at all.
Well, I think my fav Neeson roles would be in Taken, Schindler’s List, Phantom Menace, A-Team, and Batman Begins!
An actor that I was indifferent to, but now don’t mind, would be Matthew McConaughey. I don’t enjoy a lot of his comedy, but his role in Lincoln Lawyer has me intrigued.
You already know abt a deleted scene I like! Karate Kid’s deleted scene of the ending. I’d love it if they would’ve infused that into the film.
I’m not sure if you can count Conan O’Brien as a Hollywood actor, but I really like his Amex commercial. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIZCtDJtFPw
And…one of my absolute favorite classic remakes is The Italian Job. I mention it often from time to time, but I enjoy the classic and the remake so much!
Great post Ruth!
Hey, nice to see lots of love for Batman Begins!
Aiyah… sorry but I’m actually the opposite about MM. I thought he was charming in Wedding Planner but it went downhill after that.
Ahah, yes I guess I should just say celebrity instead of Hollywood actor, so yeah, Conan definitely counts!
Oh I love Italian Job! I’ve got the dvd at home. Love the Mini Cooper scene and boy, what a stellar cast!
Wow favorite Neeson’s flicks huh? He’s good in everything in my opinion but picks are Before and After, a little seen film he starred with Meryl Streep; Michael Collins, Taken and Gangs of NY, he had a small role in one.
I don’t have an actor whom I hate then later like, but I can’t stand Jude Law and Olando Bloom, so far they haven’t done anything to change my mind yet.
A scene in Robocop, where he was being gunned down by the bad guys, the director decided to re-inserted an extended version for the director’s cut and it was brutal. I prefer the theatrical version and wish they hadn’t included it in the movie.
Don’t remember seeing a commercial featured a big name star, so can’t answer that one.
Wow a remake of a classic film, I’ve never seen the original True Grit so I can’t comment on that. Would 1989’s Batman qualify since the original tv show Batman was made into a movie? I’ll have to come back for this one.
I need to see Michael Collins, that sounds like something I’d enjoy. What’s Before & After about? I had no idea he’s co-starred with Streep before.
He..he.. funny how you spell Orlando ‘Olando’ 😀 I’m with you about him, the only thing I like him in was Lord of the Rings because I like the character. Jude is fine, I guess I’m just neutral about him, but he was great in Road to Perdition.
There’s an even more brutal version of that ambush in Robocop?? Man, I always cringe to see that scene, and even watching That 70s Show, sometimes I still remember that actor playing that scene, imagine that.
Is the 1989 Batman the Burton version? Well the TV show is a classic so yeah of course it qualifies.
Here’s the movie page on imdb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115645/, if it came out today it would have a been a TV movie of the week but back in those days it still can play on the big screen. He played a very caring father who’s determined to help his son, played by the original John Conner aka Edward Furlong. Leeson was great in it, to me he really poured his emotions into that role.
Ha ha yeah, I should’ve paid more attention to my spelling. I didn’t mind him as much in the Lord of the Rings films since he doesn’t have a lot of screen time. I agree that Jude Law was good in Road to Perdition.
Yeah, Paul Verhoeven originally shot a very gory scene but he was forced to edit it down or the film would’ve gotten an X rated back in 1987 for violence. It’s pretty brutal, even by today’s standard violent films. I have the version Blu-ray if you ever want to check it out. 🙂
Yes, I was referring to Burton’s Batman.
Oops! I misread your question about deleted scenes. All of the deleted scenes in Kingdom of Heaven should never have been taken out, when Scott released the director’s cut version, the film was 3 times better than the original, even though it still has Olando Bloom in it.
Yeah I really think Scott should’ve cast someone else other than ‘Olando’!
I was only able to answer 2 and 3
2. I was indifferent to Cera until Youth in Revolt. And Gabrielle Unions performance in Cadillac Records really impressed me.
3. There are 2 deleted scenes in CHloe that i feel should have been in the movie. I feel without them the motivations of some of the characters aren’t as clear as they should be.
I see what you mean Julian, some deleted scenes are actually crucial to character development, so sometimes I’m baffled why the filmmaker leave those out.
Love Butler in L’Oreal commercial! 🙂 Almost as much as I love seeing Henry Cavill, Wentworth Miller and Chris Evans in fashion commercials 🙂
My favourite celebrity add would probably be the new Baz Luhrman shot with Nicole Kidman for Chanel!
I still don’t like Damon. He is slowly turning into that talentless and boring type like Leo De Caprio, Natalie Portman and Mark Wahlberg whom America for some reason likes even though they have nothing to support it 😦
Have you seen that video before, Dez? I saw the original commercial itself before but it wasn’t as crisp. I love how playful he was in the video, he wasn’t being smug or cocky. I’ve never seen the Miller and Evans commercials, what companies are those for? Btw, for those interested in seeing the Henry Cavill Dunhill commercial, you can see it here: https://flixchatter.wordpress.com/2010/09/10/random-thoughts-fun-clips-the-men-who-could-be-bond/
Oh I remember that Chanel one, it’s got Rodrigo Santoro in it, how could I forget?
I had a hunch you don’t like Damon, Dezzy… you always march to the beat of your own drum, love that about you 🙂
1.Schindler’s List. Love Actually. Batman Begins, why not? Personal faves (if not great movies) from early in his career: Krull and Excalibur.
2. Penelope Cruz. I never even saw her in anything … she just seemed to make lame movies and date her co-stars (Tom Cruise, Matthew McConaughey) and be touted as a great beauty. And then, I guess, between Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Nine, the fact that she actually seems generally sort of charming, and she finally exhibited good taste in men (Javier Bardem!) I suddenly find myself a fan. I am vaguely excited to see her in the next Pirates movie. Even though the fact that there’s a next Pirates movie mostly makes me sigh.
3. Honestly, I hardly ever pay attention to DVD extras. So I dunno. I liked the one from Sense & Sensibility that you posted somewhere …
4. I think I don’t watch enough television to answer this question. Um … I think the fact that Robert Downey, Jr. is now the voice of Mr. Peanut is totally lame … that’s memorable, right?
5.No! Remakes bad! Um … I think I might go w/Sabrina as well, actually, just because I greatly enjoyed Harrison Ford in the Bogey role. But nobody takes the place of Audrey Hepburn.
4. WAAAAAIT. I have two. My bad.
Number one, the Clive Owen/Madonna/Guy Ritchie directed BMW film The Driver. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXt-VWvk92A
Number two, Robert Downey, Jr.’s Volvo commercial.
They’re both essentially short films, and they’re both awesome.
Oh yeah, I LOVE all of Clive’s BMW films. I posted that one a while ago.
I’ll check out the RDJ one later, thanks Sam!
Hey, we agree with 3 out of 5, Sam! I had no idea Liam was in Krull! Did you know it was GB’s inspiration to be an actor, he talked about it in many interviews (i.e. http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Film-Review/300-gerard-butler-interview) He admitted that now that he’s seen it again it’s a terrible flick, ahah.
Ah, Penelope. I’m kinda indifferent about her too, but she was spectacular in Nine. She seems to be channeling Catherine Zeta-Jones’ character in Zorro for the Pirates role. No, I have zero interest in seeing that.
Oh, here’s the article where I put the S&S deleted scene if anyone’s interested: http://scarletsp1der.wordpress.com/2010/12/15/it-shouldve-ended-this-way/
I don’t watch TV much either, I was referring to YouTube clips of foreign commercials featuring Hollywood actors. There’s one featuring Timothy Dalton in his 007 days, it’s for a cigarette called Lark. He’s awesome!
Oh glad you like Sabrina, too. I haven’t seen the classics actually, but I’d have to agree nobody can match Audrey!
I’d like to change my ad vote. I can’t believe I forgot those “Unpimp ze auto” ads starring Peter Stormare. Those things were hilarious.
This one John? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEmCUZfjVYk VW does make hilarious commercials!
Oh btw, speaking of hilarious German-tinged commercials, it’s tough to beat this one:
That’s excellent. Not just funny, but good advertising too.
Okay, here goes.
1) My 5 favourite Neeson roles are Schindler’s List, Batman Begins, Michael Collins, Leap of Faith and Phantom Menace.
2) I’d probably have to agree with you and say Matt Damon, although I absolutely hated Jim Carrey until I saw Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
3) There’s an alternative take of Brett’s death in Alien which is a lot more bloody and horrific, and which I always thought should have been left in. Not that I’m sick or anything. 😛
4) All commercials irritate me, but there was a commercial on UK television (can’t remember what it was for) a few years back that featured modern day Bruce Willis sitting in the car with Die Hard 3 Bruce Willis instead of Samuel L. Jackson. That was pretty cool.
5) I’m having trouble thinking of an answer for this. I’ll probably go for Always, Spielberg’s remake of A Guy Named Joe.
Hi Richard!
Eh, I don’t care for Jim Carrey either, the only thing I can bear watching him was in The Truman Show… though for whatever reason, every time Dumb & Dumber came on tv, I can’t turn away 😀
As for that Alien scene, let’s just say I’m glad that one got cut!
Oh, I gotta see that commercial, Rich, do you have the link? I love Die Hard 3!
Spielberg certainly loves remakes. Glad you didn’t answer War of the Worlds.
Here you go. 🙂
It features a few other people but Bruce Willis is the first one. Enjoy!
Coolio, thank you!
1. My fav Liam’s movie is Breakfast on Pluto, it’s fun to see him as Cillian’s father who won’t admit he is his father till the last minute. And of course, The A Team
2. Who ya? (Ind-lish ;p )
Oddly enough, I couldn’t think of anyone.
3. Pass
4. Keanu’s cereal ads. He was so young at that time and so darn cute.
Gerry is set to be Bond? I kinda hope he gets that role, so maybe I can start watching Bond.
5. Classic remake…will Sherlock Holmes do? But I guess that’s not really a remake. Btw I am talking about Sherlock from BBC not the one on the big-screen.
Looking at my answer, I can only answer no.1 and 3 easily.
This is a great random post Ruth.
Hey Nov, I should’ve added a disclaimer for you (must be a movie WITHOUT Cillian Murphy, he..he..)
Oh no no no, GB was rumored to be Bond a while ago, he’s NEVER been officially offered the role. It just so happens that my friend Dez recently has a poll about who should be the next Bond and then I saw this very Bond-ish commercial on the same day.
Ah yes, I know you didn’t like the Guy Ritchie version. I don’t know when the BBC version will be available on dvd so it’ll be a while before I can see that one.
Glad you like this post, Nov, I might make this a monthly thing.
Hehehe…then i should say the a Team, taken and Schindler List 😉
I finally see this post in my PC…whoa that picture of GB is a total Hunk,love the way he stares at the camera. (i have a thing for eyes ;p )
Ah too bad…I think he could be a handsome Bond.
You should check that BBC series…that man is 100% Sherlock Holmes, the way I always imagine Sherlock would be in this modern day.
Have you seen the video? He’s so hunky and charming in there… and yes, the dude does have pretty eyes 😀
You’re talking about this guy right Nov? http://collider.com/wp-content/uploads/sherlock_bbc_image_02_Benedict_Cumberbatch-419×600.jpg
I recognized him from Atonement. Yeah, I might check out the series when it’s available to rent.
I have…and I could understand your obsession on him 😉
Yup, that’s him…he is brilliant!! Here is my review if you have time reading it http://t.co/h6OkWUD 🙂
I still haven’t watch the 3rd episode yet.
If you are a Liam Neeson fan, you should check out Kinsey. As far as actors I warmed up to, Ben Affleck would be a current one (for a lot of people I guess ah!).
Yeah, that’s one I’ve been curious about. I heard Laura Linney is great in it, too.
Ah yes, Ben Affleck. I didn’t care to watch anything he’s in for a while, but he’s back in a lot of people’s good graces with Hollywoodland and his directing efforts.
This excellent deleted scene (The Riot) is from A Knight’s Tale:
And the No One Would Listen scene/song from Phantom of the Opera is no surprise to you as my all-time fav deleted scene ;-D
For some reason can’t watch the three embedded videos in this post, will try to find them over at YouTube.
Oh yes, No One Would Listen, absolutely!! But at the same time, it’d probably distract us from the story too much as that scene is like a music video. I kinda feel the same about that scene with Emmy Rossum walking through the cemetery as she’s singing, I wish the director had inserted some background scenes of her and her father or something.
OMG – GB’s commercial is HOT! Love his “do”, they could have promoted men’s hair care products at the same time!
Ha..ha.. yeah, I was thinking that, too. I think he’d be more suitable for a haircare spokesman, as he’s got gorgeous hair!
WOW Ruth. Great topic and as always you put in one week than most do in a month:)
Liam is pretty great in anything and I’m so glad you liked Taken. He just not stop badass. While I don’t have five, my faves are would have to be Seraphim Falls, Taken, Love Actually & Batman Begins.
I too have grown partial to Damon so I know where you’re coming froms.
Oh come on, that’s only ’cause my posts aren’t in such great depth like yours, Marc.
Yeah, I didn’t know what to expect with Taken but I guess I was quite… um, taken by Liam’s super-spy abilities 😀 Haven’t seen Seraphim Falls, that’s the one with Brosnan right?
Hardy for Bond? Too funny Marc, I still remember your comment on my post a while ago as you had quite a different opinion about Hardy when I suggested him for the role: https://flixchatter.wordpress.com/2010/07/09/next-007-film-canceled-lamenting-fate-of-fave-bonds/#comment-3195 Glad he’s changed your mind though.
Connery in any commercial would be worth watching, I’d have to search that one on YouTube.
I forgot that IB was a remake but yeah, that’s an outstanding flick indeed!
Also I think I am starting to appreciate Mickey Rourke as have been increasingly impressed with Tom Hardy…jumping a head a bit I’d like to see him tackle the role of James Bond.
Celebrity commercials always make ne laugh but the most off the wall one I can recall is a simple one where Sean Connery is calmly sipping Suntory whisky…pretty cheesy porch scene with a fan and Connery looking out of place:)
I know its not a true classic but if cult classics count then I’d say then my favorite classic remake is Ingluorious Basterds…easily 10 times better than the original.
well Ruth, you got me;P…I write that before I saw Hardy in Inception and Bronson basing NY opinion solely on Rocknrolla (that said I was still way off base). So a new year and a new outlook on film…mainly coming to the conclusion that all Ruth’s opinions are awesome:) Do not question Flixchatter!!
He..he.. well you and I often share the same views so that makes you awesome too 😀
Btw, I looked up the Suntory whiskey commercial you mentioned. Apparently there are a couple of ’em: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDG2V4veQLU The second one on this clip makes me think he should be a Bond baddie there with the dog, reminds me of Moonraker’s Drax.
While I’m not answering one of your questions, I do have to say that I have a MAJOR guilty pleasure with “Taken.” It was entertaining, thrilling, and quick.
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