Movies Plus - Feb 2011 - Irish Cinema Magazine

FEBRUARY 2011 • NUMBER 108 • WWW.MOVIES.IE

Also Inside The Rite, I Am Number Four & More...

“HOPKINS IS INCREDIBLE,

his most disturbing performance since Hannibal Lecter” ZOO MAGAZINE

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my inspiration John Hurt

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”

Algernon Moncrieff to Lady Bracknell in ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ (1895) Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)

Photography by Alison Jackson THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST by Oscar Wilde (1895)

As a director he helped turn Shia LaBeouf into a star, directing him in the Hitchcock inspired ‘Distrubia’ and again in 2008 thriller ‘Eagle Eye’. This month DJ Caruso brings us ‘I AM NUMBER FOUR’ a new science fiction film from heavy-weight producers Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg.

Based on the best selling book of the same name the film stars Alex Pettyfer, Dianna Agron and Teresa Palmer. We went behind the scenes on the film with the upcoming director.

Q: What was it that attracted you to making ‘I Am Number Four’?

A: I read the manuscript and a couple of screenplays - they sold the book quite early - and I wanted to make a science fiction movie that would be sort of dramatic and quite fun, so this fit the bill for me. It was something that I felt I could do a really good job with and the lead character John - is a beautifully disenfranchised youth character and that was someone that dramatically, I could really grab onto and the audience could understand and sympathise with. At the same time I felt it was an incredibly entertaining movie by the time you reach Act Three you have this beautiful battle in a high school in a very science fiction-y kind of way. I just felt all those elements were something I was looking for to make into a fun movie.

Q: Did you read the book or did you intentionally stay away from it?

A: No, I read the book a few times. Believe it or not, the book hadn’t been published so we were reading the manuscript and working on the screenplay and I read the outline for the next book to help figure out and chart the character development.

Q: There are always nerves when beloved books are turned into films, how do you hope fans of the book will respond to the film?

A: Well I fans will respond positively, of course we have altered a few things to help the movie cinematically. I think my

job is not necessarily to improve on the book, but to make the best cinematic version of that story that I possibly can.

I think you’ll find it’s very true to the book.

I think what happens with all fans is that it’s about what we left out of the movie that didn’t make it from the book; people might have a favourite thing. Sometimes you are worried about that but I just have to tell the best story that I can.

Q: Do you think that the Lorien Legacies could be the series to fill the gap left when Harry Potter and Twilight end?

A: I think this movie is a great movie that stands alone, I think at the end of the movie you will want to see where Number Four and Number Six’s journeys will take them. I don’t ever make a movie thinking that, but if it does fill some void or we get to make another movie that’s fine, but that it wishful thinking.

Q: Originally Michael Bay was attached to direct ‘I Am Number Four’, how much did it change when you took over?

A: I think the Michael Bay version of the movie would have cost five times as much money! [laughs] And had a lot more action, but that’s just because that’s what Michael does. When I first met Steven [Spielberg] and Michael [Bay], the screenplay was basically the screenplay that they were developing together. I mean this in a good way; this is too small a movie for Michael, I think. There’s too much talking! [laughs] It didn’t change that much, we developed it over the course of time. I had the first draft, worked with a couple of writers then a couple of months later, showed it to Michael and Steven and worked from there. The basic structure stayed the same, but we took a lot of the story and a lot of the dramatic elements and re-worked them. It’s always been a movie where most of the action takes place at the end, so that stayed the same.

Q: How involved was Steven Spielberg in ‘I Am Number Four’?

A: He was pretty involved, particularly in the beginning and the development of the story and in the editing room he was very helpful again. In the last few experiences I have had with him he didn’t come to the set and basically lets you shoot your movie. When you have Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg it’s a great resource. If you don’t tap into that you are really stupid.

Michael helped with visual effects, and Steven really helped with the story; I’ll show him two different versions of a scene and get his opinion on what works. I have been lucky to have those guys. Even though they are producers, they are directors and directors have a certain respect for how the craft is done so they are not intrusive.

Q: How challenging is it mixing acting with the CGI and green screen process?

A: It’s challenging. One, because we are a movie that’s in the $15m budget range - which sounds a lot - but we have 695 effects shots, so it was really difficult to get those shots done well on the budget limitations that we had, but it’s less about budget than it is about time. I found it fairly frustrating to get the shots to look the way I wanted them to look in the time that’s allotted. I am learning quickly about how this all works. It has definitely been challenging for me, but incredibly educational as a film maker.

Q: There is a lot of focus on 3D movies at the moment, were you ever tempted to make ‘I Am Number Four’ in 3D? A: I wasn’t tempted and I was curious about why I wasn’t asked to, I figured someone was going to bring it up eventually, but we are an IMAX movie, we are not in 3D and I am really happy. I think certain movies lend themselves to 3D and you have to do it right - and not in the conversion way. I was very happy not to have the

discussion about doing this movie in 3D. Q: If the movie does become a series, do you want to stay with it or are you happy to step back into a producer role like Chris Columbus did on ‘Harry Potter’?

A: If it does become a series I would be interested in keeping it going. It’s funny, I think, sometimes, making a movie is like giving birth - you scream, and you are in pain, then three months later you go ‘OK, it wasn’t that bad’. [laughs] So, ask me in a few months!

Words - Brogen Hayes

I am number Four hits Irish cinemas on Feb 23rd

Watch video interviews with the cast this month on Movies.ie

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THEY STOLE HIS FUTURE. NOW HE’S TAKING IT BACK. UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND MEDIA RIGHTS CAPITAL PRESENT A GAMBI T PICTURES PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH ELECTRIC SHEPHERD PRODUCTIONS A FILM BYASSOCIATE GEORGE NOLFI MATT DAMON “THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU” EMILEDITEDY BLUNT ANTHONY MACKIE EFFECTS COMUSIC STAMP CASTINGBY AMANDA MACKEY & CATHY SANDRICH GELFOND VISUALPRODUCED SUPERVISOR MARK RUSSELL PRODUCER ERIC KRIPKE PRODUCER JOEL VIERTEL BY THOMAS NEWMAN BY JAY RABINOWITZ ACE JOHN SLATTERY MICHAEL KELLY AND TERENCE PRODUCTION DIRECTOR OF EXECUTIVE BASED UPON THE SHORT STORY DESIGNER KEVIN THOMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY JOHN TOLL ASC PRODUCERS ISA DICK HACKETT JONATHAN GORDON

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It’s certainly been a whirlwind year for Drogheda native Colin O’Donoghue.

Not only did he land the leading role in psychological thriller ‘The Rite’, he found himself starring alongside acting hero Anthony Hopkins and filming in Rome.

The movie, based on journalist Matt Baglio’s book ‘The Rite: The Making of A Modern Exorcist, sees Colin play a seminarian sent to the Rome to enrol in an exorcism course. Here, the 29-year-old actor, who cut his teeth on shows like ‘Fair City’ and ‘The Tudors’, discusses working with Hopkins, why he’s not moving to Hollywood and the rather unusual research he did for the film…

Q: Tell us about ‘The Rite’?

A: I play Michael Kovak, an American seminarian who’s at a loss with his faith and unsure if he wants to go ahead with his vows. So he goes to Rome to enrol in this exorcism course which brings up a lot of doubts and struggles. He then gets sent to Anthony Hopkins’ character Father Lucas, who mentors him in the ways of being an exorcist. But Father Lucas is struggling with his faith as well, so they go through a process of learning together.

Q: How was your first meeting with Anthony Hopkins?

A: I had to screen test with him in LA and I was really nervous. He had a big beard at the time and he looked so much like my father in law that I felt instantly at ease because he’s got a big white beard as well.

Q: What did you learn working with him?

A: What could you not learn? He’s one of the greatest actors in the history of cinema.

There’s a discipline and preparation you learn when you’re working with people who are so unbelievably gifted, you get to see how good it can be. One of the big things I learned from Tony is that preparation is key. When you know your work inside out, you’re free to play as an

actor. I can’t fully put into a nutshell what I learned from Anthony Hopkins, but most of all, I got inspired to try to be a better actor.

Q: How did you research for the role?

A: I read Matt Baglio’s book which he wrote based on his real experiences in Rome. It tries to take an unbiased look at the implications for psychological illness or demonic possession. I read a lot of other books about demons, angels and spirits, written by priests. Then when I was in Rome I went to some exorcisms.

I was surprised by how normal it was for people. It was like watching a person with their therapist. The idea of seeing exorcisms was more daunting than actually being there.

Q: What happened during the exorcisms?

A: It was different in every case. In the worst case, the person closed the door because she didn’t want us to watch.

We heard thrashing in the room and really guttural, vocal noises. The blessings can go on for some time. They have a whole Roman ritual where the priest places his hands on the person and recites prayers.

Q: Did doing the film change your personal views on religion and faith?

A: When you invest yourself in something and research it, you’re bound to raise questions. Personally, I’ve got a healthy scepticism. There’s no proof for, or against.

Q: Are you like your character in any way?

A: He keeps himself to himself. Very measured and thought out in how he speaks. In a sense that’s very much who I am as well.

Q: What makes The Rite different from other exorcist-type movies?

A: This is more a psychological drama than a horror film. It’s not really a fright fest. It’s unsettling. [The director] Mikael Hafstrom has orchestrated a real sense of tension. What sets it aside is a clever

and intelligent debate between sceptics and believers.

Q: So was making a big Hollywood movie what you expected?

A: Yes and no. It’s something I’ve aspired to for years. To be shooting a film in Rome and to see the scale of shutting down actual whole streets is an incredible thing. It’s difficult not to get overwhelmed by it. To have the opportunity to work with actors like Tony (Hopkins), Rutger Hauer, Ciaran Hinds and Toby Jones on this was incredible.

Q: How did you family react when you got the role?

A: My wife Helen was delighted. We’ve been together 12 years since I started acting - so she’s been there through all the ups and downs. My parents have always been very supportive. And working on this, I felt more pleased for them than myself, just because of the support they’re always given me.

Q: Are you prepared for fame if the film is a hit?

A: I haven’t really thought about it. I became an actor because I absolutely love it. I can’t really do anything else.

Q: Would you ever move to Hollywood?

A: I like coming to LA and going to places for work. I’m from a big enough town in Ireland, but I think there’s only 37,000 people in my home town compared to millions in L.A. At the minute I’m happy to stay in Ireland and go back and forth. My family and my wife are in Ireland. I love living there. I’m a bit of a homebody. I like to go for a couple of pints with my mates in my local pub. I also play the guitar and sing with my cover band The Enemies. We do a bit of funk, a bit of rock. The lads

came and played for the wrap party for the film which was great.

Q: Who are your Irish acting heroes?

A; It’s hard to pinpoint. I always liked Liam Neeson, Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell.

Ciaran Hinds was one of the actors I aspired to work with and I got the opportunity in The Rite. Daniel Day Lewis is incredible. Away from Ireland, there are tons of people I’d love to work with and Tony was one of them. To be honest - he was one of my all time heroes. I feel very lucky.

Words - Ellie Genower

The Rite is at cinemas from Feb 25th

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FROM THE PRODUCER OF

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ET - The Extra-Terrestrial: A being so peaceful and full of love that ET could be called the Gandhi of movie aliens, or, for that matter, Jesus (which is an interpretation of Steven Spielberg’s tale popular with chin-stroking film nerds).

Out-of-this-world strengths: Making bikes fly; resurrection; psychic connections with humans; handy with makeshift telecommunication devices.

Mere mortal weakness: Can’t hold his liquor Superman: What else is Kal El but a being from another planet, dispatched by his father from the exploding Krypton to Earth to save the world as only true heroes can: by becoming a journalist? Oh, and that whole ‘faster than a speeding bullet’/ ‘Man of Steel’ thing helps too.

Out-of-this-world strengths: Flying; super human strength; looks good in a tight vest.

Mere mortal weaknesses: Not great on disguises, opting only for a pair of glasses and slicked hair for his civilian get-up; Kryptonite; appearing in shoddy sequels.

Spock, Star Trek: Half-human, half-Vulcan, full-on Nimoy, Spock is the logical, rational member of the Starfleet. Pointed-of-ear, and capable of almost supernatural detachment and calm, Spock is the Barack Obama of pop cultural alien life (although right wing groups in the US are now eager to prove that Obama himself is an alien from the Planet Africa).

Out-of-this-world strengths: Brains; dab hand with a phaser; progressive views on opposite sex interaction; reported ability to stop out-of-control Monorail trains in Springfield (didn’t he?).

Mere mortal weaknesses: Not powerful enough to out-ham William Shatner. Then again, no mortal is.

Celeste in My Stepmother is An Alien: Other-wordly being Celeste is sent down to Earth on a secret mission to find out if

humans had anything to do with a gravity sucking attack on her home planet. She becomes involved with a widowed father and his young daughter (played by Willow from Buffy) and goes on to discover all manner of earthly pleasures.

Out-of-this-world strengths: Looks like Kim Basinger; magic purse that can create diamonds and fancy gowns.

Mere mortal weakness: Acts like Kim Basinger; has sex with Jon Lovitz.

Ford Prefect, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: Mistaken for an out-of-work actor, Ford is actually an alien (Betelgeusian race, if you’re wondering) who came to Earth to research a travel feature for The Hitchhiker’s Guide.

After 15 years, he accompanies his human pal Arthur Dent on the Vogon constructor ships back to the galaxy, explaining much of the weird goings-on to Arthur along the way.

Out-of-this-world strengths: Has managed to stay sprightly for a 200-year-old; at one point took the form of Mos Def. Mere mortal weakness: Not able to pronounce his own real name, which caused his father to die of shame.

Doctor Who: It’s easy to forget that this perpetual time space continuum-botherer is an alien who has regenerated into different human forms on 11 occasions.

Out-of-this-world strengths: Magic police phonebox-type transport known as the TARDIS; ability to attract a bevy of beautiful assistants including the singer of ‘Because We Want To’ and, erm, famed chav teenager Lauren.

Mere mortal weakness: Friendship with one of Earth’s most annoying specimens, John Barrowman.

The Solomons, Third Rock from the Sun: A team of four alien researchers come to Earth to investigate human behaviour, posing as a loft-living family in Ohio.

They take human form in the form of

Earth renowned scenery chewer John Lithgow, Amazonian blonde Kristen Johnston, adorable nerd (then and now) Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and some other guy who serves as a channel to communicate with their alien overlord, The Big Giant Head (William Shatner, again, wahay!).

Out-of-this-world strengths: Collectively strong on physics and engineering.

Mere mortal weakness: Basic human interaction; teen hormones.

Gordon Shumway aka ALF: Ginger-furred Gordon - aka ALF (Alien Life Form) - crash-lands on Earth and is taken in by the Californian Tanner family until he can fix his spaceship to return to the planet Melmac. Bored hiding out, and curious about the world, Alf is constantly committing japes and pranks, eating the Tanners out of house and home, and pursuing his death row dinner: Lucky, the family cat.

Out-of-this-world strengths: Has eight stomachs and a heart for a brain.

Mere mortal weakness: Cats; bad relations - in reality - with his human co-stars.

Roger the Alien, American Dad: Rescued from Area 51 by military dad Stan

Smith, effete, camp, sarcastic, selfish, amoral Roger ostensibly lives in peace on planet Earth, but he’s also known for his temper, capacity to hold grudges, and occasional dictatorial tendencies. He’s also led the most fascinating life, having done everything from fighting for the Viet Cong in the Vietnam War, and killing Notorious B.I.G. Out-of-this-world strengths: Gifted at role playing and conjuring disguises to an almost sociopathic degree.

Mere mortal weaknesses: Alcohol; drugs of every description; junk food; TV. Mork, Mork and Mindy: Nanu-nanu! Arriving on Earth in an egg-shaped pod from the planet Ork, rubber-faced alien Mork is on a mission to investigate Earth and report back to his superior Orson, all through the prism of his adventures living with dorky brunette music shop owner Mindy.

Out-of-this-world strengths: Comic voices and impressions, including an uncanny Robin Williams.

Mere mortal weakness: Mork would eventually become a naturalised citizen and go on to make Patch Adams. Shazbot!

Paul hits Irish cinemas on Feb 18th

Watch our interviews with Simon Pegg & Nick Frost on Movies.ie

FEBRUARY EDITION

Want more? Irish cinema website Movies.ie is updated every day with movie news, features & competitions. Here are some highlights to discover on Movies.ie this month

I AM NUMBER FOUR Check out our interviews with cast members Dianna Agron, Teresa Palmer & Alex Pettyfer on Movies.ie

WIN THE TOWN ATTEND PREVIEW OF ANIMAL KINGDOM ON DVD ANIMAL KINGDOM tells the story of seventeen year-old J (Josh), as he navigates his survival amongst an explosive criminal family and of the detective who thinks he can save him. The movie stars Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton and Guy Pearce.

Win tickets to our exclusive advance preview screening.

Check out the competition on Movies.ie this month.

OSCARS 2011 Log onto Movies.ie on Oscar night for our live blog. Chat to other users & find out who wins, live as it happens.

We have copies of the critically acclaimed THE TOWN from Director/Star Ben Affleck to give away on Movies.ie this month.

CERT TBC

IN CINEMAS MARCH 4