Clint Eastwood at the NFT - London

[philo]

I am pleased that I have the chance to meet some of you that are attending this event.

Could board members that are going let me know because I am planning to bring you all a gift on the night.

To make sure I don't miss anybody please post here or PM me.


Philo .

[sartana]

Tomorrow it'll be a week away. And for the life of me i can't think of a question to ask! Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

[Brendan]

Tomorrow it'll be a week away. And for the life of me i can't think of a question to ask! Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

Ask him about a project he had going for awhile called, "Golf in the Kingdom".  

[Matt]

Ask him the question that everyone on this board has been wanting to know... is there gay subtext in Thunderbolt and Lightfoot.  

[philo]

I think someone should ask him that but it won't be me.


Philo .

[Matt]

What's wrong, Philo? Don't want to ask him if Cimino told him to look like an erect pen*s in that scene where Lightfoot's sitting on the curb? Why not?  

Ooops, I see a word got through the censor that I wasn't counting on. Fixed it.

[philo]

No Matt ,

I am the brave guy that will attempt to ask him how he feels about personal film projects he chose to make in mono (when they could have been Dolby Stereo) now being remixed.

I know it is a nerds question , but I can't watch (or listen) to these new versions without it sounding (to me) like fingers down a blackboard.




Philo .

[right turn clyde]

I've decided to ask him when we'll see him in front of a camera again...will it be in a saddle? Of course I've got hundreds of Q's written down!

[KC]

Don't forget to take notes, everyone, and report back here on how he answered your questions!

[Gant]

Not long to go now....
I think this is the most I've looked forward to an Eastwood film since Bridges of Madison County.

[Lilly]

  One day to go!  Still no ticket but I'm gonna be there to see y'all and try to get in.  I've got a suspicion that the cat might get my tongue if I actually do get in there with the man, but I'm still trying to think of the best question...

What's the deal?  Shall we all arrange to meet somewhere?

See ya soon!

[Gant]

Right.... time to jump a cab down to the Embankment , grab a coupla beers and see one of the greatest actor/directers in cinema history present his new work.

Guess it's too late for me to arrange to meet any of ya. Hope you get lucky and manage to get a ticket Lilly.

I'll be listening out for your question Philo.  

See y'all back here tonight.

[Gant]

just back from the NFT and the first London screening of Mystic River.... Wow ! I don't wanna say to much here and spoil this movie for anyone.
just to say that I think this is one of Clints most powerful and moving films ever. Superb performances all round and although I agree that Penn is excellent I thought Robbin's took best acting honours. just my opinion.
There wasn't a dry eye in the house.
I feel like I wanna see this film again as soon as possible.

The interview with Parkinson was ok. Clint looked great and displayed a cool sense of humor. There wasn't much of anything new discussed that I can remember 'cept that Clint when pressed said that he wouldn't be taking on the dual roles of acting and directing in the same movie again. No real surprises there.. also a little later he kinda hinted that the acting days were possibly over... ( hopefully someone else who was there can be more precise than me on this) but that was definitely the impression that I got. When pushed on future projects he would only mention the blues doc.

A great night and a fantastic movie. I think his best in a long while and to my mind definitely deserving of some oscar nominations.

[the stranger]

Hey hey!
Gant! I did get a ticket! Got home a little while ago!
Was up at 5.30am and at the box office at 7.30am (was 13th in line) (the first guy in the queue had been there since 4.30am) I remained cool and thought the omens were good, 13 has always been my Lucky Number, as it is my parents house number!
A long long wait all day.... (but Philo and myself had a good day around London). When it was time to get into that returns queue, my heart was getting faster and faster! A couple of people collecting their tickets, then another wait... then a couple more.... till finally one in front of me, and I'm praying Come on, come on, come on...
Then, it's just me, two footsteps away from total bliss!
Then he calls me forward..
"Just tell me I have a ticket?"
He smiles, he says "Yes"
and I'm just about the happiest guy on earth for that few seconds!

Lilly.... we did all we could, and felt for you, big time

Mystic River I thought was very good, felt it could have been a touch shorter, but not complaining at all. Gant you are spot on, Robbins and Penn were just incredible!
I really couldn't split them, yet, I suppose the Robbins role was a little more demanding. The cutting for the climax was sooooo nail biting, tense isn't the word for it!

Film looked a little bleak, which I think was quite deliberate, fit perfectly with the story.

I'll say no more on the film.

As Gant said, interview was OK, but nothing new, Yes, Clint has never sounded so positive about Directing only. Almost word for word, to his quote I posted from a couple of months back. Does not enjoy dressing up for roles now, the hair has got to look like this, this didn't match that etc etc.
He added from behind the camera, you can dress sloppy, tennis shoes et al..
 Philo and myself agreed, it was conducted more in a chat show style.. rather than a lecture as such..

Clint did look great, smart, cool you know the rest..
He was very at ease happy to crack jokes,  and continuously smiling..

Particularly enjoyed Clint's response about critical and political comments around such films as Dirty Harry
"Don and myself simply thought it was just a great detective story..."
Ahhh the Narrative, can't beat it!

Matt, when the questioning came to the far left of the room, I had my hand up, was not picked, but I swear to god, was going to ask "To the best of your knowledge, was you ever aware of any Gay subtext, within the  story or the Direction between the two characters of Thunderbolt and Lightfoot?"
Alas, it didn't happen mate.... but I was to the very far left of the stage, some 35-40ft away..

Gant, MM Preacher, Right turn Clyde, I wish we could have all met up, poor planning on all of our parts really, next time lets get it all together and hit those beers..

Terrific night, in a very special Clintful week, I don't think it'll ever get better than this?

All to do again on Thursday Now, and the Parkinson show..
Clint overdose... I don't think so!
-Stranger-

[Matt]

Matt, when the questioning came to the far left of the room, I had my hand up, was not picked, but I swear to god, was going to ask "To the best of your knowledge, was you ever aware of any Gay subtext, within the  story or the Direction between the two characters of Thunderbolt and Lightfoot?"
Alas, it didn't happen mate.... but I was to the very far left of the stage, some 35-40ft away..

Oh man, that would have been worth the price of airfare just to hear you ask that and to see/hear his response. Too bad it didn't happen.

But... it sounds like it was a great night! I hope we hear from everyone who went.

[the stranger]

Wish you'd of been there Pal
-Stranger-

[Lilly]

  Thanks for the updates Gant and Stranger - it sounds like a great night.  Man, what a shame you didn't get to ask that question Stranger!  That would have been classic , would have loved to have heard Clint's response.

Yes, I screwed up and didn't make it, but I owe thanks to Stranger and Philo for helping me out.

next time lets get it all together and hit those beers

Yes lets!  If we get another chance I'd love to actually make it to London and meet the UK CEWB crew.

Delighted you all had a good night.

[sartana]

  Hi. Hope everyone enjoyed it!! It was great, a shame he didn't stick around for a drink afterwards, i certainly did (hence the lack of writing here). -  
Bit annoyed that Jimmy bloody Tarbuck stole someones opportunity to ask Clint a question. The silly sod! (Tarbuck, not Clint!).

[right turn clyde]

Great film, one of his best directing efforts. Watched the film then there was a 20 minute break. Dina and friends came into the audience. Christopher Frayling was there. Interview was a bit dull. All the usual replies to Q's eg Warners didn't want to pay him to direct Misty, outlived his critics etc. Did say he would definately only Direct OR Act in the future and not both as Bloodwork tired him out. Would do a Western with the right story. Admires Hitchcock, Hawks Siegel & Leone. Asked any Directors alive he admired and he said Wolfgang Peterson and Das Boat (Boot). He's not keen on modern blockbusters and Ben & J. Lo (good man!) but does like watcking animated films (Finding Nemo) with his young kids. I didn't take notes so have probably missed stuff out. He got booed by the crowd on his way out!! Fans and press queued for hours and his car was backed up to the door. No photo's or even a wave as he got into car. Managed a few snaps though   I was stood next to him in the foyer, but all the conversation was just people congratulating him etc.  A great night though, superb film and nice to actually see him after all these years. RTC. PS He's not that tall!! I'm 6'4" and was standing by him, he's 6'1"- 6'2" at most which was a real surprise!!  

[mmpreacher]

 

Thouroughly enjoyed the film despite the fact that from my seat (far right) a lot of it looked like it was shot through a 'fish eye' lens - Not to mention the shaking of the actual projection.

I will not go into plot at all but loved the cinematography. Lots of darkness, but with key lights picking out the important bits. It looked wonderful.

I was also annoyed by the Cravat wearing Luvvie that was Tarbucks question, but the prize for worst question goes to the 'fanboy' who asked about the Siegel DVD'S. Appologies if you are a board member but asking Clint Eastwood if he has any influence was both pointless and insulting. And it took so long to get nothing out, when other people had actual questions to ask, without the gushing. Diatribe over.

Never been to the NFT before but enjoyed the night. Not only was Clint. Parkinson, and Tarbuck there, but i also noted Stephen Frears, Frank Skinner, Anthony Daniels (c3p0), and Diana Krall mulling around.

As far as the interview goes i enjoyed it but just wished that Parky had done his research a bit. First calling Unforgiven 'The Unrepeatable!!!' and then after correction colling it The Unforgiven. Forgivable, yes, but Calling 'Bird' 'Parker' was not, and then saying it was one of his favorite film. I was embarassed for him.

It won't stop me trying to get to see the Parkison interview though. I am in tonight and thursday anyway, Does anyone know what studio it is usually recorded in?

I've got my fingers crossed - When Ian McCellen did parky he sat next to me and chatted while i was waiting for my cab home.