Dragonflies have proven time and time again that their Dragonfly King, Tommy Hiddleston, is the ultimate click-bait. So click away, my loves. As I’ve said before, I really do miss Tommy. We were so lucky to have so much Hiddleston last year. His promotional tour on behalf of Thor 2: The Dancing Loki went on for months and months and it was the gift that keep on giving. 2014 has been quieter for Tommy – he did Coriolanus on stage in London, and now he’s filming a new movie in Canada. We have to ration out the small morsels of Hiddleston news these days. So sad.
As I mentioned last week – when the Dragonflies went wild in the comments of the link post – Tommy did not get an MTV Movie Award nomination for Thor 2. So sad. No Tommy at the MTV Movie Awards!! BOOO! But it’s also good news, because now we won’t get a repeat of last year’s awfulness, when Tommy misread the room, wrestled the mic away from Samuel L. Jackson and gave one of the longest speeches of the night. It was like he thought he was at the Oscars. There were many cringes. It was bad. Hiddles had to dance and dance and dance some more to make us forget.
But everything is coming up dragonflies for Hiddles in the long-run. While he got shut out of the MTV Movie Awards, he did get a nomination for an Olivier Award. The Olivier Awards are sort of like the Tonys in America – a major theater (“theatre”) award that can make or break a career on the stage. Hiddles was nominated for Coriolanus, obviously. He’ll be up against Jude Law (in Henry V) and Rory Kinnear (in Othello). The UK papers are saying that Daniel Radcliffe was unfairly shut out for his performance in The Cripple of Inishmaan. The ceremony is April 13th! Yay, so we’re get some Tommy in April, for sure. Right? Hopefully.
By the way, I know there’s a lot of consternation about Tom and whether his career will survive post-Marvel. First of all, I think Marvel will take care of him for a bit longer. He’s shown Marvel that he will do anything they want him to do, so I would think that Tommy and Marvel will probably figure something out. But even if they don’t… Tommy will survive. I’m sure he will. Any actor who can handle a difficult Shakespeare play live, night after night…? He will be fine. He’s a white dude who can do accents and he’s more than willing to play the game. He’ll find lots of work in the years to come.
PS… here’s a new trailer for Only Lovers Left Alive. For me, this film is all about Tilda, but Tommy looks interesting.
Photos courtesy of the Donmar Warehouse Twitter, WENN.
Rory Kinnear for the win!! Sorry, Hiddles, but nobody else stands a chance.
I said that yesterday when hijacking the Fassy thread.
Weird that Kinnear got a nod and NO ADRIAN LESTER. I hate my mother for stealing my Jude tickets at Christmas. And I am a bit fed up with Kinnear. He’s everywhere. But I think he will win.
Also weird that Coriolanus got TWO acting noms but nowt else.
Also I am fed up that the Oliviers are turning into the “yes, it’s theatre but we’ve picked all the people you recognise from the telly” awards.
Also, bet Hayley Atwell pips Lesley Manville. And I will spit tacks.
Also and regardless of all that, congratulations to Puddletom.
I responded yesterday, but got put into the m-word. On one hand, I agree, re: populism, but UK theatre needs a shot in the arm. It isn’t hip or relevant to the yoofs anymore. Law is a decent Shakespearean actor – I saw the yoga Hamlet and wasn’t massively impressed. I was also VERY surprised Lester didn’t get a nom. His Othello was, hands down, the best I’ve ever seen. It made me rethink my attitude towards the play.
I heard Eyre’s Ghosts was phenomenal. I hope that takes something.
I think I can bear the celeb casting but I wish the awards wouldn’t go the way of all flesh, you know? They already have populist awards so we don’t need the Oliviers to turn X Factor. Please say we don’t.
On the upside, brother has scored me tickets for Wolf Hall when it transfers, so yay! I am determined to see more this year.
@Sixer, I’m seeing Bring Up the Bodies. Wonder which one of the two will be better or if they’ll be equally as good.
MMaD – they are my favourite books of recent times. Mantel was on Andrew Marr this last week being her usual inexact but interesting self. I’m actually excited!
Nice! I’m visiting Stratford next week, but opted to see Antony Sher over Wolf Hall.
OH. My eyes have turned green.
Work or leisure? (Obviously pleasure).
Both! I’m visiting the archives. Luckily, I arrive the day Tony Sher’s Henry IV begins previews! Wolf Hall never stood a chance.
This is also the first time I’ve been in the new RST. When it came to America doesn’t count.
Did anyone ever read any of Mantel’s other books? I have Beyond Black, but haven’t read it yet. I hear the French Revolution one is much better than WH and BUTB.
Oh, enjoy. You lucky devil. I might even break out Year of the King tonight in your honour.
(I haven’t. I understand her range is enormous, so expect the unexpected).
“Also weird that Coriolanus got TWO acting noms but nowt else.”
I saw the show on NTLive and though I thought Tom’s acting was really good, overall the show didn’t slay me. I get that gritty/modernist thing is Donmar’s bit, but the staging struck me as gimmicky, and the direction was just so-so. It was all about Tom and Gatiss for me; they really sold it and made some of the questionable production choices work through sheer force of will.
@Algernon
I can understand one stellar performance in an otherwise ok but not stellar production getting a nomination. But two is stretching it. Two of the best performances of the year in a production that garners no other nominations at all? Hmm.
I don’t want to take away from Puddletom nor Gatiss – well, I don’t care really, but I always seem to end up saying things that might provoke the fans hereabouts and feel somewhat guilty about it – but for me this is mostly grist to the mill of my feeling that the Oliviers are heading downmarket with a policy of prioritising the celebrity names for nominations in the acting categories and leaving the actual stellar productions to fight it out for the production categories. As Betsy implies below.
Sixer, you don’t need to feel guilty about that. Your opinion is your opinion and you have every right to express it, after all! As long as you aren’t saying something with nothing other than the intention to provoke (which no one who knows you here would accuse you of), then go right ahead and say what you want! It makes for interesting discussion. 🙂
I also found it unusual that the play itself had no other nominations yet had two best actor noms. But I haven’t had the opportunity to see any of the other nominated shows or actors nor have I followed the Olivier awards noms overall long enough to see a pattern. So I will defer to those of you who have!
@TFanty. I have a soft spot for A Place of Greater Safety (the French Revolution one) as it’s the first Mantel novel I read and while technically I think her Cromwell ones are better, I just love the characters more in APOGS. It’s one of the books I can re-read and re-read and still be as gripped as I was the first time.
I do sometimes see PuddleTom as Camille, tossing his hair, but I think he’s probably too old now. 🙁
Year of the King! I remember reading that ion college after seeing him in Richard III. Fanty, you lucky, lucky girl!!
Sixer I understand where you are coming from but just because they have high profiles does not mean they are not deserving. There were a lot of well known screen actors left out as well. James McAvoy, Daniel Radclifffe, Ben Whishaw, Ian Glen, David Tennant , Matt Smith. But out of the best actor nomination two out of four were regular stage actors without a significant international film career so it was pretty evenly split considering that both Hiddleston and Law got mainly excellent reviews.
You can give an outstanding production in a good but not outstanding production.. Henry Goodman (The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui) got best actor nomination for a production that was not nominated at all and he is mainly a stage performer. Henry Vth was not nominate either.
There were of course lots of omissions as well Al Weaver in the Pride -the rape scene tore my heart out and is very hard to pull off on stage, Chiwetel Ejiofor for best actor is also coming up a lot as an omission and A Season in the Congo had energy ,passion and amazing ensemble playing not was not nominated.Juiliet Stephens gave a far more intricate performance in Beckets Happy Days than Judy Dench but was overlooked In the end.
They are never going to please everyone and people are always going to have explanations as to why.Some people are saying the more recent performances had a better chance, others that the panel members do not get around to seeing everything, some that it is slanted towards specific theatre groups etc but In the end it is a group of people involved in the theatre on a focus panel (i.e acting ,musicals, lighting) and one or two lay people who make the decisions and they will have a diversity in both taste and motivation.
Having said that If Lesley Manville does not win I will give up on awards. Hayey was good but Lesley had me in floods of tears. I must admit that I am torn between Mark Gatiss and Jack Lowden. Ghosts was stupendous.
Haha. I love you, Icerose. You are my favourite Puddletom apologist in the entire cosmic history of Puddletom apologists. You rock.
But hey, I love to be contrary. So I’ll note your disingenuities and I know you won’t mind. Why limit to international film careers all of a sudden? Because that’s silly when we know perfectly well that Kinnear is one of the UK’s best known TV actors. To the over 30s, he’s probably better known than the Tomster. And of course film and TV actors can give prizeworthy performances – nobody suggested they can’t. The suggestion is not that. We’ve already said that sometimes a special performance transcends a less special production – but two? You know that’s unlikely.
We also know that there are rumblings from the civilian panels and others over several years that the best candidates for actor nominations have been passed over for the famous names that will make the Daily Mail et al publish the press release. But no such moans about the production nominations, which don’t carry the same publicity interest.
Of course, I’m exaggerating to a conspiracy theory to illustrate the point. And, as Fanty notes, there are good reasons to make the headline-grabbing actor nominations more populist. But that doesn’t make me like it.
@Icerose, thank you.
@Icerose: let me delurk just to say thank you. Thank you!
If Hiddleston got a nod for a less deserving role (say, the misdirected Freddie Page), I would find the term ‘apologist’ fair. But his performance in Coriolanius earned it.
Going off what I have read about Kinnear in Othello, I wouldn’t be surprise if he takes home the prize. Hope the National Theater decides to broadcast it in the States.
Check NTLive’s website. They will run encore performances.
You’re right. Duh! I need to find dates/places showing King Lear, should check then.
I was thinking the same, though I am glad he was nominated,
I finally saw OLLA btw, and have to say the the music, Detroit, and Tangier were the stars. It’s visually delicious, but the script was underwhelming, not Jarmusch’s best (and I usually love Jarmusch). It was definitely Tilda’s film, but she was basically playing herself in a bad wig. TommyAnnE was okay, a very effete vampire, but kind of clichéd and campy. Don’t expect anything that proves his acting chops. He really needs to stay away from these black wig and pasty skin roles.
For me his strength was actually in taking himself back and blend so well into the whole fabric of the film. Plus his chemistry with Tilda.
It was the first film I’ve ever seen him in and afterwards I googled “this Hiddleston person” and for me this hyperactive, good-natured, always happy guy and Adam still don’t add up (and yes, I have a thing for pale, depressive people). I’ve seen the film a second time after I’ve probably watched every damn Youtube-video with dancing, smiling Hiddles and I yet I have only seen Adam on the screen and no Hiddleston whatsoever. That sold me.
I can see how he comes off as forgettable in OLLA, but people are following him from the Loki fame and Adam and Loki are extremely different. They were the exact opposite of each other despite the physical similarities. Adam is really Jim Jarmusch lol! I remember the direction given was more restrained for Adam’s character, based on interviews from Cannes. For Eve, she’s meant to be spritely and cheerful. They’re opposites, which makes the pairing all the more amusing. I think this was always meant to be a Tilda film. Jim write the role of Eve for her.
I agree completely with Isadora. I didn’t think he was all that in The Hollow Crown. I’m familiar with Loki at this point. I didn’t know what to expect and when I watched OLLA. I was taken aback. He fit the film perfectly. Very understated. I only saw Adam as well. He was very un-Hiddle like.
I thought he was remarkable in The Hollow Crown. I have not seen OLLA yet. I think at least some of the disappointment from some fans was due to the fact that OLLA is a small, indie, art house movie and as such VERY different from what the Loki fans are used to.
For The Hollow Crown, he had his moments. I thought his Hal was better than his Henry.
I think you’ll enjoy OLLA. It’s a very quiet film but really cute and funny. I loved all the performances in it…Jeffrey Wright, Mia Wasikowska, John Hurt, and Anton Yelchin as well.
I was not expecting Adam to be Loki. They are nothing alike, save for the black hair and pasty skin. This wasn’t my problem. I thought his acting in this film was bare average and not very inspiring. Granted, I don’t think the script gave much to work with.
There were things in the film that I truly loved and I would watch it again– the music, the visual sense, the camera work were all outstanding. But this is not a film that demonstrates Hiddles’s ability as an actor, not in any way.
I was disappointed in Kinnear’s Iago when I saw it live.I found the production a bit pedestrian and it was really only Lester that kept me interested.But he has won 2 solo awards already and one he shared with Lester so he is a contender.
Now if they had not overlooked Chiwetel Ejiofor I might have had a problem in choosing who to support,
YAY!!!! I saw a screening of Coriolanus and I really enjoyed it. The music between scenes annoyed the crap out of me but other than that I thought it was pretty solid. Hiddleston was a wonderful Coriolanus. Well deserved.
Speaking of Tom playing great Roman characters, if they ever do a remake or a stage show of the film Cleopatra, Tom HAS to be Octavian (Augustus). It would be hard to beat the Liz Taylor/Richard Burton/Rex Harrison/Roddy McDowall version (guess what I watched on the weekend…), but with the right producer it could be attempted.
At a stretch he could do Mark Antony, but would have to bulk up a bit to convince me he could carry such a powerful role.
Mmm.. I don’t see Hiddles as Mark Anthony… And Richard Burton was handsome back then but he didn’t bulk up at all…. Not even the real Mark Anthony was ever described as Thor-like kind of huge…
I can see Tom as Mark Anthony.He has the passion and the charisma.
Physically he is not suitable for the role…. Unless you would like to see him in Shakespeare’s version… I can’t see him in a remake of Burton’s role in Cleopatra…
@Hiddles forever – I did say “at a push” for Mark Antony! He could pull it off with the right cast around him.
But Octavian would be great. He was not known for his physical strength, but his negotiating and strategic manipulation. If the movie is to be taken as gospel, he was even seen as feigning illness to avoid going into physical battles!
@secret squirrel “Tom HAS to be Octavian (Augustus)”
he has the curls and can pull of the sneeky intelligence
however Coriolanus or MarK Anthony? he pulled off the bulking up really well…. Tom’s shoulders and back were pretty amazing in Coriolanus.
But, to me Mark Anthony is sensitive, love sick, charming and has a thing for stronger women. I can see Tom totally pulling that cocktail off.
He’d make a great Octacvian, but Marc Anthony…I’m not so sure. Once you see James Purefoy as Marc Anthony from ‘Rome’, you don’t want to see anyone else play that character.
@allonsy-alonso, you expressed my thoughts exactly! James Purefoy’s Marc Anthony is indelibly sketched on my brain. His perfect deadpan reading of “Now, that’s what I call an exit!” when Servilia (and her slave) committed suicide just killed me.
My favourite is the scene with the mummified head Lucius is using like a teddy bear.
I’ll have to check that one out.
I say we give Tom ALL the roles. Octavian, Antony, Cleopatra, Caesar. It’s a one man show!
Oh yes! I’m especially looking forward to Hiddles’ Cleopatra!
@Isadora, isn’t that the sort of role that usually goes to Eddie Redmayne?
The nomination is well-deserved. The competition for the actual award is fierce. I wish there was a broadcast of Othello.
Hi Lilac. I agree that Tom deserves his nomination, but I can’t say who I think should win as I have only seen Coriolanus (on a cinema screen with stupid fan girl interviewer GUSHING about Tom during the intermission show which come very close to ruining the whole thing for me).
Would be great if NTL broadcast all Olivier award nominees (at least the best play/actor/actress categories) as part of their season (a very short season of a month between official nominations and the awards being handed out!). I would like to see Othello as I haven’t seen any of Kinnear’s stage work, but all reports seem to have him taking the win.
@SecretSquirrel, I would love if NTL would broadcast more. I saw Anne Chancelor in Private Lives, she got a nomination too, and Tennant’s Richard II, which didn’t get any nods, and Coriolanus through NTL.
I could see him working with Disney, which now owns Marvel. He’s proven he can be enthusiastic on a press tour and probably wouldn’t mind doing goofy kids’ promotional stuff.
Oh please not…. I would love to see him in real, serious roles. Nothing wrong with a Disney movie once in a lifetime, but really, this man can ACT and I want to see it. In strange, weird, difficult roles.
Crimson Peak and High Rise (his next project) are both extremely NOT Disney, so I think you are getting your wish Isadora!!
I could watch a movie length feature of Tom and Cookie Monster interacting though, mainly for Cookie Monster!!! CM’s sense of humor is awesome and I think Tom could bounce off that perfectly! There has to be a Jag in there somewhere too!! And probably some snake hips at some point…
*knows you are all now picturing CM and TH driving along a highway in a Jag whilst eating cookies and having an in depth discussion about Kermit’s relationship with Miss Piggy*
Yes, I’m actually salviating over High Rise, haven’t yet read the novel, but J. G. Ballard is great and the story sounds beyond awesome. Can’t wait…
And I’m really curious about Crimson Peak, I hope it can deliver. But I’m actually cautious with the whole horror genre, this can go wrong so easily… I keep my fingers crossed, the cast is great.
And of course the Cookie Monster is perfect. Always has been, always will be. Until they take the sass out of it – I’m still miffed about Count von Count’s transformation from my favourite character ever to mild and tame.
I’m not really a fan of horror myself so Crimson Peak might be more of a “wait and see” thing for me. I don’t feel compelled to see everything Tom makes just because I enjoy his acting.
I read High Rise over the course of a rainy day and it would be an interesting movie to produce. I also liked Ballard’s “Empire of the Sun” but High Rise is a little different!
I hear The Count is different these days (no thunder and lightning when he laughs… WTF???). Was wondering if perhaps Tom got vampire tips from Count before going off to make OLLA.
Hi Squirrel..
I feel compelled to add to your description of the CM and TH in a Jag scene…. don’t forget Ralph and Mark Strong in that Jag too! And of course our favourite guest star in every TH thread…Benny! And the velvet and febreze props 🙂
@Windy – Cookie Monster and Febreeze seems to be a match made in heaven! All that fur and of course Tom wouldn’t want the smell of cookies left in his Jag, so he would have to Febreeze the seats regularly!!
Ralph and Mark Strong would have to be in a separate Jag, giving chase. Their constant bickering and Ralph’s lap Casio would be awesome!
@Secret Squirrel, don’t forget Sean Bean in the boot!
Glad someone remembered Sean. He’s feeling very VERY neglected. No one’s tried to kill him for at least 5 minutes.
Sean Bean? He is actually trying to get killed right at the moment. He is in a project, where he should play Macbeth (and well… we know how that ends…), but unfortunately the project lacks funds right at the moment. They turned it into a crowdfunding thing at Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/vincentregan/enemy-of-man-feature-film
I really hope they make it. I know Fassy is right now shooting a Macbeth film too, but really, one can never have enough Macbeth. And Sean Bean is great. The “trailer” looks quite ambitious and well.. there goes my money.
Ohh, SB as Macbeth. Saw him in a production years ago with Samantha Bond as Lady Macbeth. He wore leather trousers and was v hot indeed. (I posted about in on another thread ages ago). Be interesting to see if he gets the funding and how he’d play it now, compared to then. Young, sexy and a tad swashbuckling vs older and more grizzled.
I’m actually concerned with the funding. I’m not experienced with these things, but I always thought that it should start with a bang, then slow down to a steady drizzle and reach it’s goal a few days before the deadline. But if the funding now is already the bang… I hope I am very wrong and I wish I could spend more money on this.
I really think that not enough people know about this project, because the cast is wonderful and has many fans worldwide. I don’t understand it, people fund crap all the time. I mean even this girl who got Hiddles in her fake documentary was able to get money from some fans and that’s not even comparable to a professional film team, this trailer and this cast.
Glad someone remembered Sean. He’s feeling very VERY neglected. No one’s tried to kill him for at least 5 minutes.
We must never forget or neglect Sean, in the boot.
Apologies for double post. Not what I meant by my username! Bloomin’ work computers being very rubbish indeed. Has anyone killed Sean yet?
We’re planning on re-watching the whole first season of Game of Thrones this weekend, so we’ll kill Sean again by Sunday afternoon.
Yay! He’ll be so happy.
I don’t know enough about the other performances to be able to judge where Tom stands in the grand scheme of things but I’m glad that he was judged good enough to be nominated. So often people forget that actors/actresses who “break” in roles like Loki etc. actually have mega acting chops.
In pervy fan news, THANK YOU for those rehearsal and performance pics. Unnnnfffff *bites hand*
Kinnear will be odds on favourite because he has won awards already but not when Tom and Law were involved. Tom and Jude are taking the flack for some of the omissions on the more conservative theatre sights. Olivier’s are a panel decision so very difficult to predict
More conservative?! You mean the sites where people who actually like theatre and have seen other productions than those starring internet darlings are the ones offering opinions?!
I wouldn’t flat out say that the Tomster didn’t deserve his nomination, Icerose – it might not have been my favourite performance but I wouldn’t deny it was very good.
But when people say that it looks as though three out of four nominations are destined for celebrities regardless of performance quality, I think they have a good point.
Some of those who have been on the civilian panel have been talking about the way their longlists were whittled down. They don’t sound in the least bit conservative or snobby or elitist. They just sound p!ssed off.
I got to see Only Lovers Left Alive for my birthday in December. It was fantastic. Hiddles is so perfectly broody and wistful and actually sexy in that film. It’s not an action packed spectacle, some people may be put off by the pacing, but it’s one of the best movies I’ve seen in a while. I hope he gets lots of accolades for it.
+1000000!!!
And his chemistry with Tilda was wonderful. Very harmonious…
I noticed the chemistry as well! Perhaps he works better with a partner who leads and Tilda is def her own woman.
As long as his diehard fans are mature when he loses (and he will, given the competition) then it can only be a good thing for him. No guarantee he will be at the ceremony, I remember when Cumberbatch won his award, he was away working.
His nomination for Coriolanus is well deserved. THIS is what he should be getting nominations for…not those silly “sexiest man” internet nonsense. I only saw Jude Law in Henry V (which was terrific) so I can’t compare the other actors but Tom’s was more raw, visceral and compelling. I’m so happy for him, Mark Gatiss and the Donmar.
100% agreed. The “sexiest man” stuff will die down eventually, but serious recognition of his acting ability will stay with him.
But as much as I wish him to win his second Olivier, the competition seems to be extremely tough… I’m miffed that there was no broadcasting of Jude Law’s Henry V, I would have loved to see it. 🙁
@Leah – Ha! When I first read your comment, I thought it said “sexest man” award. I was thinking ‘woah, that’s a category now?? What on earth did he do/say to win that?’
😀
An Olivier award nomination is worth a billion internet polls or MTV awards. He’s already won an Olivier statue so stage acting is obviously something he loves and does well. Kudos on a second nomination (technically his third given he had two nominations at once the first time around!).
I totally agree with you Squirrel. You took the words right out of my mouth really…. it’s great that it’s a proper acting nomination rather than some weird internet poll related nomination…. I managed to watch NT Live Coriolanus and enjoyed it thoroughly. I liked Mark Gatiss and Hadley Fraser as well. But, since I didn’t watch the other nominated actors’ plays, I really can’t comment who should win the Olivier.
I have only seen Kinnear but Tom was always at the top of my list.
Coriolanus was wonderful. I’m really happy for Tom and for Mark Gatiss.
The Oliviers are trying to raise their profile so I was expecting his average performance to make it to the short list. The Oliviers are turning into the Golden Globes! If Rory Kinnear doesn’t win it will doubly stink.
The cast of Chimerica were robbed
I concur about the Olivier rush to the bottom. There is a disconnect between the production and the acting noms that is getting more and more obvious every year.
@Betsy, if the Oliviers were trying to raise their profile by nominating movie/television actors, wouldn’t it have made more sense to nominate Daniel Radcliffe, James McAvoy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and David Tennant? All of whom are much better known than Tom Hiddleston. As for “average” performance, that is a matter of opinion. I see a lot of theater and a fair amount of Tony nominated performances, and that performance of Coriolanus was better than average in my view.
Lilacflowers, I know betsy has her opinions, but it’s never been glowing when it comes to Hiddleston :p
James McAvoy wasn’t eligible this year. He was nominated for an Olivier for Macbeth last year.
I’d say Tom and Rory Kinnear deserve their nominations, for sure. Amazing performances. Though Adrian Lester deserved a nomination just as much, and it’s a bummer that he wasn’t recognized. I did think Hayley Atwell was excellent in The Pride, but Al Weaver should also have been nominated. Chimerica was very good, but Claudie Blakley is the only one I’d nominate as an actor from it (she’s always great). Daniel Radcliffe was super impressive in the Cripple of Inishmaan–his physical work was amazing. And I think Deborah Findlay should have been nominated for best supporting actress.
@isis I completely agree about Findlay. I thought she was fantastic and was surprised when I didn’t see her name on the nominee list.
It is a well deserved nomination-he was excellent in it and Coriolanus isn’t an easy role. I don’t know enough about the other performances to judge who is best.
I think people need to lighten up about him-the guy is tasting his first big successes and is the object of a lot of fan adoration-I’m sure most actors would be excited and dive into it. I think if he was acting like an entitled dick instead of an excited puppy about it, that would be one thing, but he isn’t. And I think in the past few months he’s realized the side effect of indulging the crazy so much and has started to dial it all back. I have a feeling that while he likes the whole Marvel universe and appreciates the exposure it has given him, in the future he will start to pick his projects a little more carefully.
Has he responded to the nomination -I have seen nothing as yet but he must be pretty chuffed. It builds on his Olivier Award for best newcomer. Not bad considering he has only appeared on stage 5 times since leaving RADA,
I think he always has picked his projects carefully choosing great directors an d varied roles.
I didn’t mean to imply that he picked poor projects, but more that he might not go for that level of summer blockbuster. I love me some Marvel and I think he is fun to watch as Loki, but he obviously has the chops to do something a little more..structured, for lack of a better word.
I haven’t seen anything about a reaction, but I’m sure if he says anything publicly it will his usual level of graceful adorkable. 🙂
I clearly don’t know much about theater because I could not stand Rory Kinnear in Othello. On the other hand, Adrian Lester… Pure awesomeness!
ps: Congrats to my CBbaby for the nomination.
I did not see Lester’s Othello but heard it was fantastic.
I did see Coriolanus and thought that very good. I have never read it so my only reference is the film. I was proud of *ahem* our baby.
But then, we both know I don’t really deserve to discuss Shakespeare. *skips off to read some Archie Comics*
We both know I don’t really deserve to discuss Shakespeare either!
* skipps off to read scientific articles* 🙂
ps: Sorry about My baby reference… Sometimes, I forget I am sharing him… 🙂
OT- CHemboy attemed a convention this past weekend and it was glorious, Miss J.
Hiya Marty darling! Our Russian Tomato brought the CHemness’ mingling with wizards to my attention and he was precious. I laughed out loud when he threw TommyAnna – with full force – under the bus for his “I saw CHemboy nekkid” answer. I thought he came across so affable. Mmmmmm.
Hows by you, dearest?
I’m good, miss you though!
Yeah, I’m sure Anna has been getting pretty sick of me. I’ve been sending her new stuff every week! 🙂
@j.eyre
“I saw CHemboy nekkid” answer. ”
The girl who thought she was being funny, [not] had got it all wrong. She even got the sex of the baby wrong! It was Chris’s wife that sent the topless pic of Chris and their newborn baby girl to Tom, to show how tiny the baby was compared to Chris’s size. She threw out a lovely comment made by Tom into a tawdry scenario.
I am sure it will be like water of a duck’s back, Chris and Tom wind each up all the time, i gather from interviews etc., but these daft fan-girl moments are not helping, any. Wish they stop stirring.
@’p’ enny – No, I understand how terribly she mangled her question/facts and I think TommyAnna will giggle himself silly when he hears CHemboy’s answer. When I suggest he threw Tommy under the bus, I suggest it knowing his tongue was firmly planted in his cheek (although, alas, I prefer it were planted in mine.)
And please don’t take away my fantasy of Tommy and CHemmy comparing nekkid photos of each other – a girl has to make it through the night somehow.
@Marty – Miss Anna is as in love with you as I am. No one could EVER get tired of you – it simply isn’t possible. I would hang out more but it is very difficult for a sarcastic reprobate like me to be taken literally; although bound extremities usually thrill me, it can be limiting and I don’t do well with limits.
Am I the only one who isn’t going crazy over OLLA? It’s like…not really doing anything for me.
No you’re not. If Hiddles wasn’t playing in it, the movie would’ve barely gotten mentioned in the papers.
It would get mentioned here because of Jarmusch.
It’s definitely a divisive film. Love or hate it. I ended up liking it. There was a very boring stretch though when they got to Tangier. Dragged a bit during some of those scenes.
Jim Jarmusch also has his detractors so that does not help. I think it was exquisite and very witty. Just preordered it on Amazon UK.
You are not. The entire movie it felt like Tilda was just indulging herself in the movie that was almost exclusively made for her and Tom was just there for the ride. Those long boring musings about art and doomed humanity were only broken up once when Mia showed up. I watched it because of Tom only. I understand that actors sometimes need to make movies for themselves, so I’m not complaining, but it’s not anything special.
It’s interesting how people percieve things differently, because I could have watched the musings about art, science and doomed humanity for another hour. I probably need to marry Jim Jarmusch.
But well, it hit of course a soft spot of mine as I wrote my diploma thesis about how Byron and some depressed French writers see humanity as doomed. And I love vampires (as I’m an exceptionally nocturne person myself. I sometimes don’t see daylight in weeks, sometimes). And Shakespeare conspiracy theories. And The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. And shoegaze music. And I collect old books, vinyl and random antiques and everything is stuffed haphazardly into my tiny apartment.
So I was literally sitting in this cinema and having the time of my life. My friend next to me actually gave me a weird stare when Eve opened Adam’s fridge (with all the books inside) because she once, many years ago, remarked that my fridge is filled with everything except food – at the time I had mostly 35mm and polaroid films in it because they last longer when cooled.
@Isadora
great post. Love to share a coffee one day, because i too feel the same about the movie and watch another hour listening to the musing about art, and science. And as a person drowning in books, i am tempted to copy Adam.
You see Isadora, this is a film that I *should* love for all of the reasons you cite. I’m made out of that material, and I could listen to Jarmusch muse all night.
I was truly underwhelmed and disappointed in the script and the acting. The music? That’s another matter. I want that soundtrack.
@Isadora I see your point – to each their own. I for example enjoyed “Archipelago” immensely but most people found it to be boring and slow. To me it was a very much like my beloved Chekhov – nothing seems to happen but you can’t shake off the sense of unease and sadness.
@Isadora, well you’re quite the catch 🙂
I chuckle a bit because after the film, I went to my room to grab my laptop charger and noticed it looked a lot like Adam’s house lol! Books stacked everywhere and art on the walls, some dust, and lots of red splashes here and there as well as the low soft glow of the one lamp in my room.
@penny: Coffee? Anytime. 😉 Just stop by.
@ItSetsYou: I have yet to see “Archipelago”, it sounds interesting. Although I never really found a connection with Chekhov.
@jammypants: Sounds great! Adam should be an interior designer, that would be… oh wow… never mind.
@Dani. Haven’t seen it yet, it doesn’t open here until April. Pirated versions are available on line but I will never watch a pirated version of any movie.
Lilacflowers,
Yeah, it opens here in April too. Are you in the U.S.? I’m in Chicago so I’m hopeful that it be shown in one of the places here that usually shows the small, indie and foreign films. I won’t see a pirated version either.
Yes, Janeite, Boston. We have only two theaters that show small indies (we used to have more but real estate prices have driven out theaters) so I hope one of them shows it.
Yaay!!!
I love Tom Hiddlestone. Yep, I do. I tend to forget that he’s more than Loki though. When I see him in anything minus the long black hair and white pasty makeup of Loki I think, who is that good looking guy. It always kinda shocks me when I realize it is Tom. I wish I had known him as something other than Loki first.
@someone
” I wish I had known him as something other than Loki first.”
That was me. I got a big shock when i realised my cute curly Magnus in Wallander, was Loki in Thor. No actor has ever thrown my head in a confused spin like that before. I was totally, ‘noooooo, surely not, can’t be?”
Now, whenever i watch Tom-Curly and Tom-Post Loki I am still in two minds whether they are same man.
I think that’s his big strength – being someone completely different with every role. Of course the costume and everything helps, but he’s really good in vanishing into the character. I love that.
The first thing I ever saw him in was Warhorse and I remember how gorgeous his blue eyes were and how good he was in the role. Then I saw Thor and spent the first half hour thinking Loki was played by Johnny Weir! In Avengers I was convinced until half way through they had replaced Loki with another actor.
It wasn’t until the “snake hips” interview that I looked at IMBD and found these characters were all him. IMO that makes a terrific actor to be able to disappear so well into a roll or maybe I am an unobservent dolt or both! ; )
I connected him from Midnight in Paris to Warhorse and then The Deep Blue Sea but when I checked IMDB to see what else he had been in, I was totally surprised to learn he was Loki.
I had seen both Midnight in Paris and Warhorse but it wasn’t until The Hollow Crown that he really came onto my radar. I had heard about Loki thing but I’m not much of a fan of super hero movies (sorry!) so I knew that was him. But it wasn’t until after the Hollow Crown that I went looking for his other work and realized I had already seen him in a couple of smaller parts.
Whether he wins or not, he got nominated and that is a good thing! I think he worked hard on his role and I’m pleased to see that he got recognition for that.
Now I”m waiting for someone to come along and say how rude Hiddles is for not responding to the million and one congratulatory tweets he got!
I agree with you Janeite. People have forgotten he is working. Also with some of the strange and weird things fans say other than “I love you” isn’t it a wonder he doesn’t check his mentions anymore?
I miss the old Tom too but as he gets more busier and known it is something I expect.
Tommeeehhh!!
We miss yo antics.
And OLLA is all about Tilda, when will people realize this.
it is all about Tilda and that was exactly how it felt.
I think Tom did everything he could with what he was given, although he’s not a very good introvert 🙂
LOL! He did depressed very well but an introvert he is not!!
I actually was convinced he was an introvert in the movie. Haha different strokes!
I was convinced by his introversion, but his depression was campy and comical.
That’s a good point. His depression came off cartoony, fluffy cute, rather than when you watch an actor who REALLY makes even you feel the weight of his depression.
Perhaps that’s Jarmusch’s intention. Deadpan, campy depression.
I honestly enjoyed the film, but it was shallow and only touched the surface of what could have been something with more depth and poignancy.
it was meant to be comical, it was very much a dark comedy in most parts. I thought that was what Jim was trying to achieve.
I had to laugh at Adam’s petulance. Reminded me of a phrase as a teen – in my bedroom, door locked with the headphones on. I really enjoyed the film; the set design and colors were so beautiful.
haha that’s true. I found it surprisingly very endearing.
I’m absolutely delighted on his nomination. It’s awards like this he should be up for not Token Loki awards or best looking male award. This focus on a good piece of work.
A tough group but if he does win it I hope he’s learnt his lesson and not make another cheesy speech. I also hope he leaves bloody Luke at home and bring his mother instead!
Looks like Tilda is doing the Miami festival. Jessica shared a photo this morning that Tom had shown her ( which he later shared himself on twitter) this means he’s still in Toronto
I was delighted for Tom when I saw he had been nominated. The competition was fierce this year, so kudos to him to have got this far. Personally, I can’t speak for the others, but I though he put in a tremendous performance as Coriolanus, a difficult role and the whole play was so easily understandable (not something you can always say about Shakespeare) 🙂
I think it will mean a great deal to him, on top of how many people such as Whedon/Fiennes etc.saw it and complimented him. The fact that they wanted to see it was a compliment in itself.
General attitude in the papers in the UK that I have checked is that people agree with the choices except perhaps the Kinnear/Lester thingy and think either Law or Hiddleston would be a worthy winner. Which probably means Goodman will get it!!
Regarding OLLA, considering not a lot happened I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.
I agree, he deserved the nomination…what a powerful performance, showing those acting chops. Hopefully del Toro will give him a permission slip to attend the award ceremony. 😉
Happy to see him up for a serious award. The man who is making High-Rise said something about they picked TH because of all the great choices he makes. I think he takes whatever roles he can get like most actors.
They also said he was their first choice. I still cannot decide whether to read the book first but the quote about naked sunbathing on the balcony sounds interesting.
We know TH doesn’t have a problem taking his clothes off – I’m fine with it too. Hadley Frasier kissed him each performance, what is that, 70 times – doesn’t that earn a prize? Back to MTV Awards – best onscreen kiss!
on top of being kissed by Hadley 70 times, he had his little guy groped by Miss Sorensen 70 times :p
@jammypants, she gave quite the lap dance, didn’t she?
@Lilac, she is a very lucky lass.
Has there been any more casting news on High Rise? There are two other main roles for guys and who gets those roles should be interesting.
Not yet, but I am curious who will play Wilder and Royal.
I am too. Because those two characters really set the tone for the story.
yea I feel like those two characters set everything in motion in the high rise. Laing is more of an observer or one who accepts things as they are as they change.
OT but it made me chuckle – can anyone imagine Hemsworth being able to portray Coriolanus as well as Tom did?
why not? I think Chris is a pretty good actor. I haven’t seen the play though.
Well I’ve only seen Chris as Thor and he doesn’t come across to me as a great actor. But I would be happy to be proved wrong because he seems a nice guy.
LOL
I don’t know what Chris ‘s stage experience is, but he strikes me as someone who probably wouldn’t be able to remember the lines. [see gag reel, Thor 2] He could probably act it in a film sense and be okay. But, not on stage. I hope he proves me wrong, though, because teasing aside i really like Chris. I think he is lovely, nice but a bit dim.
@Joe – Chris H received very good reviews for his role in RUSH. Some even suggested he should have been considered for an Oscar nomination. I haven’t seen it so can’t comment on the quality of acting.
He was a soapie star in Australia before heading to Hollywood, so my view of his acting ability is tainted (and I didn’t even watch the soapie, just the ads were enough). He did just fine as Thor though and I think a lot of the success of the current Marvel movies is the actors fitting the characters so nicely. RDJ IS Iron Man! Tom IS Loki, Chris H IS Thor…
Chris is okay as an actor.The reviews I saw for Rush said he was good but not outstanding and that he lacked Hunt’s charisma,
In terms of Coriolanus the rehearsal period was something like two weeks. The fight rehearsals started a week earlier. I think Chris would have had trouble with negotiating the language and learning the words. Tom does have an advantage there because both his training and education have given him the skills to process the meaning and context quickly. But not impossible with more time and assistance.
I also feel Tom is the more versatile actor but I use to watch Chris on Home and Away and he has come along way since then but not far enough to take on a role with the complexity of Coriolanus.
Well we’ve all seen Tom’s attempt at portraying Thor so let’s not throw fruit at Hemsworth …
Different types of actors fit different roles. Tom was trained to do Shakespeare and has a background steeped in literature, CH has not.
Well lets face it, we are judging that very brief sight of Tom at the audition with hindsight and Hemsworth doesn’t need to do a lot of acting in that role. I have the feeling that Branagh got Tom over to LA with the intention of him being Loki from the start. Can you imagine Chris in the Loki role?
Well, there wasn’t much to judge from if we’re going to be honest. From what I saw Tom just looked like a surfer dude.
@ joe spider
But Chris obviously didn’t audition for the Loki role. What does that have to do with anything?
I think Tom has more in common with Coriolanus’ entitled-man-looking-down-on-the-plebs character than Chris H has with a Norse God superhero so declaring Chris ‘doesn’t need to do a lot of acting in that role’ is being rather presumptive!
LMAO! so true.
That seems like an unfair comparison, since Hemsworth doesn’t have any stage training or experience. I think Chris has some acting talent, or at least that he’s been effective in both the action star role from Thor and Snow White and in something very different in Rush.
I enjoyed him in Rush and found it particularly amusing to learn that he hates to drive!
I really liked Rush too and thought he did a great job in it. The movie itself was really good too.
Shakespeare in the park? 😀
Actually yes, I can see it working because Coriolanus is a stubborn facist war machine, plus they’ve updated the language in this stage adaptation. So yeah, I think Chris could’ve pulled it off.
I’ve had to take a gossip break due to personal stuff and I come back to this post. Thank you! Dayumn he is fine! Nothing like some Hiddles to cheer me up. I think his career will survive just fine and then some post Marvel.
Personally I can’t wait for Tom to make a romantic comedy. He is an excellent actor and I hope he won’t make the same mistake DiCaprio is doing, who after he did Titanic, freaked out and have been picking serious scripts with serious directors exclusively. Matthew took at the Oscar and deservedly so because of how he built his career, showing he can do everything and loves doing it.
He would be wonderful in a comedic role. It doesn’t have to be a romantic comedy just something funny.
I thought I was the only one who remembered when DiCaprio did comedies.
“I know there’s a lot of consternation about Tom and whether his career will survive post-Marvel”
I don’t understand this comment? It doesn’t compute? did you mean to type Chris Evans instead of Tom. Perhaps it was a cut and paste error from the other article?
To be fair, I think Crimson Peak is going to be his best US market break or make-it film outside Marvel. Post Marvel? he is tied in there for ever and ever ‘evil laugh’ Kevin Feige will not let his best friend go, he’s the only actor on his books that doesn’t moan.
and probably on a smaller salary considering he was unknown USA wise when they signed him on. He signed up for five films so one to go after Thor 3.
If there is another after THor 3??
I’ve heard rumors it will be for Avengers 3, but there are no details. It could be just a cameo in one of the other franchise movies (a ‘la Chris Evans in Thor 2). However I can’t see them not using Loki more substantively unless Tom has a change of heart and only wants to meet his contractual obligation with the minimum of effort (a ‘la Chris Evans!).
There will be something else after Thor 3, though it probably won’t be in one of the Thor movies or in a Loki spin-off. There’s no reason for Marvel to retire a popular character when they have a cheap opportunity to insert him in a vehicle for one of their other stars. They have a whole roster of heroes they’d like to introduce, and they’ve shown that pairing familiar characters with new ones can attract audiences.
for Tom’s career-sake he needs to break away from Marvel, Thor 3, please be the last and let us enjoy Loki before he becomes tired. However, 2016 [reportedly] is a long way off…. may change my mind.
Actually, i wonder if we will still be talking about Hiddles on this board by 2016?
My husband the comic book nerd believes Loki will probably make an appearance in “Agents of Shield” next season. Does that count towards Tom’ contract?
@joAnn An expensive count of Tom’s contract, i am still wondering if Pirate Fairy counts.
I can’t see them wasting Loki in Agent’s of Shield before Thor3. He may be mentioned, as Odin, being up to something etc. But Thor 3’s big cinema ticket shoe-in is going to be what’s Loki up to, again. If Loki turns up on Midgard and exposes himself to Shield it would get back to Thor and, again, it will rob Thor 3 of it’s big Thorki first scene moment of, “how dare you trick me, again bro!” bitch slap/love/neck hugging moment.
@’p’enny, not sure how the Agents of Shield factors into Marvel contracts. Sam L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders, and tonight, Jamie Alexander have all appeared on the show but don’t know if that falls under their Marvel contract or a separate contract with ABC/Disney. The small cameos in other Marvel films, like Chris Evans’s cameo in Thor 2 or in the Marvel One Shots, like Sam Rockwell and Ben Kingsley in the latest one, DO count against the Marvel contract. If Pirate Fairy counts than Muppets counts too, which would leave only one on Tom’s contract.
@’p’enny, there were multiple references to Loki in tonight’s Agents of Shield. And Sif said Odin sent her to bring Lorelei back alive, so Sif still doesn’t know Odin is really Loki and he’s sending Sif all over the place, probably to keep her from guessing.
“He is the only actor who doesn’t moan”
Bwaahahahhahahaha exactly!
@’p’enny, I didn’t understand that comment either. He’s doing theater and movies and there’s no reason to think he won’t continue to get work. And ALL actors go through down times.
Some people tend to underestimate Tom’s career. I’m his fan and I’m truly excited about his new projects 🙂
I think some people just enjoy being naysayers about the guy. Heck, I have been posting here since last September and there are a few posters who comment on every single Hiddleston thread who still have never said anything nice about him, much less admitted that they like him. I was operating under the assumption that most people here on a regular basis are here because they like him but I must be wrong about that. Or maybe it’s just not cool to admit you like him or something. I honestly don’t know.
I’m his fan too and I get excited when he has something new coming up as well. I like that he was nominated for an Olivier. And I like that he seems like a nice guy and a dork at the same time. I don’t fall into the perfect Disney Unicorn Prince category but I do have genuine respect and affection for the man. I just try hard to avoid the negativity because it’s not my thing although sometimes it’s challenging to do that. 🙂
@lilacflowers I agree with you, where did this “Is he going to fade away” idea came from? I think his career is growing at a steady pace. He is extremely charismatic, hard working and talented. He finally got his break. He’s not some Jennifer Lawrence getting an Oscar at 20 and whining about having to go to all these awards ceremonies. I’d say easy come easy go. With his personality of an extrovert and people pleaser it’s good that success didn’t come too early for him.
Some people here will never have a good word for Tom’s performances even if he wins every award going which I understand on one level as I have similar feeling about Law and Leo ‘s work which I find difficult to engage with – but I tend to avoid posts about them anyway. I only criticise people who have done work I do like and feel disappointed with.
Isadora You summed up my feelings on OLLA perfectly. The literary references were worth the wait. Loved the Hamlet reference.
@icerose – I wish I could agree, because I should’ve enjoyed it! I’m a literature freak and I pretty much do keep books in my fridge, but the movie did nothing for me in terms of literary references. Take “Midnight in Paris” for example – it could’ve become obnoxious or boring movie because of all that writers-directors-poets-talk-about-artsy-stuff but it wasn’t for a moment.
I felt the plot was underdeveloped, focused mainly on Tilda (the Mia part that made me perk up was over before it started) and the dialogue just blah…
I think it is down to personal taste. I nearly walked out of American Hustle because it was so boring, OLLA was my type of dead pan humour and Tom delivered it with consummate timing. It was slow and evocative with great sense of style and romanticism.Tom and Tilda were evenly matched and for once Tom did not steal every scene which is usually what happens in Thor. But I am basically an Indie film/theatre watcher and love meandering films which read like a good book and have interesting dialogue.
Midnight in Paris was okay I enjoyed all the writers etc but Owen Wilson and the rest of the characters did very little for me. They just seemed to be more caricatured than the writers and I did not engage with them at all. As I said different perceptions and sensibilities
Sixer re
“”More conservative?! You mean the sites where people who actually like theatre and have seen other productions than those starring internet darlings are the ones offering opinions?!””
The site I go on has a mixture of people some who have very conservative ideas about how things should be performed, some who are fans of people like McAvoy, Tennant etc but but are long term theatre goers and a range of others with varying tastes and sensibilities .Some who have been on the panel and have talked about their experience . Just because you have been attending theatre performances for many years does not mean you cannot become set in your ideas about what is great drama/acting etc. I once sat next to someone who walked out of Rylence’s Richard 111 because he did not say the speeches as per Olivier and the older actors. Some also feel that the fans of actors like Tennant, Tom and Law is some how beneath them which to me is very short sighted.
I have a friend who ‘s boyfriend was on the panel two years ago as a professional actor and he would certainly not have voted for a best actor award because he was a celebrity.
This is another reason I love you, Icerose. That sneaky way you hide your replies at the bottom of the page where I might miss them. 😉
Sixer that is just because I really do not understand the posting system here. I just always seem to end up at he bottom of the page when I cannot see an obvious reply button.
I love your contrariness as much as I love a good debate. I had four contrary brothers and married into a family of loquacious debaters so it goes with the territory. And you always give me something to challenge.
RE international .Yes Kinnear is known on British TV but not so much internationally but that’s true of a lot of stage actors in the UK. if your conspiracy theory is right it is more likely the wider international media they are trying to attract.
Not sure about how you are using “disingenuities” I am very playful but always sincere in my arguments even if I am thinking them through as I write. Tom apart I do think that the influx of actors of popular like Tom and Tennant into theatre helps to bring in a different audience with a new perspective. If those actors happen to be excellent actors all the better. I will own up to deliberately leaving Law out as I have for many years found him difficult to engage with as an actor which is why I did not go to Henry Vth -well that at the cost of a decent seat, I also think that there is still especially with in the older generation of theatre goers (and some actors) a view that you cannot be both a film star and good theatre actor unless you have spent years in the theatre before heading to the big screen.
As to a conspiracy it seems to me that the formation of the panels make that unlikely and looking back at last year the numerous awards for Curious which had no notable stars perhaps suggests they are not as hell bent on focusing on the young and famous as we might think. I do believe however that the recession plus the rise of franchise films means that their is a smaller pool of quality roles available so many of those who have had success in films are coming back to the theatre. to exercise their dramatic bones when they have gaps in their schedules. And I do include Law, Benny and Tom in this to name a few.
@icerose, some actors, like Judi Dench, Ian McKellan, Helen Mirren, have always gone back and forth between theater and film. It isn’t as if people like Tom are trying theater with no prior experience; he’s done theater before. I consider celebrity/stunt casting to be when somebody with no previous theater experience shows up in a play on Broadway.
@Icerose – big, argumentative extended family here, too. I knew we’d find common ground eventually! Much as I’d love to continue, a time-sensitive job has arrived at Sixer Towers so one line replies at best from me for a week or so.
Disingenuities was simply an attempt to avoid my remarks disappearing into the m-word for a half a day. I didn’t think it would get picked up and I was right. Sorry!
Hey icerose, is there another site you use beside the Guardian one? Might be interesting to visit.
Re Tom and the theatre, I honestly think he probably enjoys the theatre work in some ways more than the film. Did you see the film where the guys went round the world “discovering Shakespeare”,? When he was interviewed about how he felt about it his reply was “terrified but do it anyway.”
When you are filming of course you don’t know for month (or longer in the case of OLLA) what the final product is going to be like, or how much of your hard work i going to end up on the cutting room floor.
joe spider I go on the What’s on Stage forum but it is a very nixed sight and it has some very outspoken Tom detractors as well as people who liked his performance, Mind you they rubbish a lot of people and just like here they have their favourites.They are a mixed bag some members have been theatre goers for years and hark back to the good old days when so and so gave a real performance others but they are generally quite knowledgeable about their Shakespeare even if I disagree with there opinions. I am drama trained so I feel relatively confident in my assessment but I know I also have my prejudices.
I have been reading up on the awards and it does seem that last years changes to how the theatre awards are chosen has its critics. The SOLT members are all mangers etc of theatres and they have a prominent part in whittling down the nominations along with the panel. Great for Tom that these people respect him. The panel also includes an actor who comes via equity.
Yes I saw the film and loved all the comments in it . He must have been pretty nervous re Coriolanus because it was a pretty big shift to pull off. As they say film is the directors stage as he has major input into editing but stage is the actors medium because once the play starts he has the control
Could I make a request?
Can people stop spoiling OLLA? It’s not showing in my area and i don’t have the funds to travel 30 miles to where it is showing. I’m waiting for the DVD release instead of watching it online
Fair enough, and I hope I have done a decent job of not spoiling details. Apologies if I failed.
I watched it online. I was stunned at how easy it was to do this.
I think that’s because smaller indie films do not have the money to police the internet looking for illegal downloads.I have watched it on line as well but am still planning to se it again in the cinema and buy the DVD to ease my conscience.
Icerose, I can justify watching in online only because I know *will* watch it when it comes to the theatre and pay my due. I will also buy the soundtrack when it is available– seriously, that is damned fine music. I am only resorting to the bootleg because I couldn’t wait. Argh.
God, I am DYING for them to release the soundtrack. I loved the music so much.
Miss Jupitero and grabbyhands, the soundtrack is available for purchase. I just got mine in the mail a few days ago, sent from the UK actually.
http://www.atpfestival.com/newsview/1402241515.php
Thank you for the soundtrack link, the music is better than the film, IMO.
I’m waiting until it actually opens in this country next month and not watching the pirated stuff on-line.
I admire your patience
Me too. I downloaded it the day after the links showed up, which I don;t normally do. But I will also be paying my due and seeing it in the theater when it hits stateside.
ZsaZsa, I sincerely apologize if I have spoilered anything (not sure if I have, I think at least not major spoilers). Sorry, sometimes I get carried away with excitement…
I’m not sure if you’ve already seen the new US trailer for OLLA, but if you haven’t yet – don’t do it.
And yes, someone mentioned tumblr already, but it seems a lot of people here who actually like Hiddles stay away from tumblr anyway for known reasons. 😉
And kudos to you for waiting instead of watching it online!
I had to drive a little while and have a bit of a late night to watch OLLA. At first I wasn’t into it at all, then I kind of just sunk into it. It’s very rich, campy yes, but also funny. And thoughtful. I found it to be more of an experience than a movie. Hard to explain. Hope there are no spoilers there.
That’s a good description, Gin Princess. And nope, no spoilers. I think quite a few art house movies are really more of an “experience” than a movie, so that is such a good way of describing them! There isn’t much action, there is a big focus on atmosphere, music, scenery, dialogue, etc. About as far from the typical big-budget summer action movies as one can get.
And FYI for anyone looking to avoid OLLA spoilers, stay far away from Tumblr. Practically the entire move is on that site with all of the various gifs, screen caps, and scenes from the online pirated versions that people have been watching.
I loved it, but I’ve always liked Jim Jarmusch’s stuff. A lot of times people don’t know quite what to do with him because his movies are more character driven than they are story driven.
I haven’ t seen coriolanus, so I can’ t judge on how deserved his nomination was. I have seen Richard II, though, and I think Tennant deserved a nod.
I really liked him as Richard 11 and thought he stood a good d chance of being nominated
me too. I was really surprised (and disappointed) when I read the list of the nominees and didn’ t find him in it!
Aww, nice! I really want to see him winning, he deserves it.
Hiddleston is very smart. Doing both stage and screen will enable him to build up a really solid, long lasting career. I doubt he’ll win this go around, but he has their attention now. With the right part and the right timing, he should get his Olivier someday.
He has one. This is his third nomination.
I think Tom has the theatre critics’ attention, he spent 2013 attending Oliviers as a presenter and smooozing London Standard awards, LOL and like Lilacflowers said he has an Olivier for best newcomer. He’s been ‘campaigning’ his bit in 2013, i think, in the best Oscar tradition. He is no Fassbender. He networks brilliantly. Think of the big influencers in theatre, Grandage, Mendes and Hytner he has worked with them all, not to mention Ken Branagh. He will have charmed their socks off. And they all attended Coriolanus.
But, I am wondering too, would it be very cheeky of Tom to just wile his way into a top theatre role after a five year break and win the Best Actor ? Pretty awesome though if he did.
Poor Jude though, i wouldn’t mind if he wins, he has been nominated for an Olivier three times as best actor and not won, so maybe it is his time? just a shame he is a personally a d”@ck. But, he has something dazzling and i will watch his new film Dom Hemingway.
But Tom’s performance for me was special, he delivered a great creative and physical performance, not to mention emotionally, seriously all that crying on tap each night must count. And he delivered a role that normally would probably bore most non-shakespearan fans to tears, and he made it extremely charismatic and enthralling.
The award can’t be awarded on one ‘tick’ factor of best technical line delivery, surely?
Surely you have to be invited to attend these awards, and be invited to present. Not quite sure how that works out as campaigning exactly, although no doubt he was polite to everyone as he always appears to be (and a refreshing change from the attitudes of some “stars”). As far as other directors going to see him – he didn’t force them, presumably they wanted to see the play. Ask yourself why they wanted to see it.
Josie Rourke said when she cast him as Coriolanus that she had wanted to work with him ever since she was blown away by “this newcomer” when he play Cassio.
I can’t judge Law’s performance because I haven’t seen it but I would have no problem if he won because of the reviews I’ve seen but I did see Coriolanus and was blown away by it. Don’t think it would be cheeky if he did win after being away 5 years, perhaps it would be more credit seeing as he had only done films for 5 years.
I’ve just seen the new video with Tom and Zachary Levi and whilst it is funny I when I read what it was in aid of I was confused.
Are they asking to put this roadshow on in aid of charity or is Levi asking money from fans to put this thing on? If its the charity then fair enough but asking fans to fund a show when he could ask his millionaire ‘friends’ is a bit cheap and low.
I hope Tom tells him where to go if it’s not the charity reason.
The second, but before you comment further, read here the explanation Zachary gave.
http://sdccblog.com/2014/03/zachary-levi-reveals-nerd-hq-crowdfunding-tactics/
Thanks Kaisei. Hmmm I’m glad that some money is going to charity but I don’t know. It would be interesting to see how much the celebs put in.
I did like the video though. Zachary always makes me laugh.
Zachary Levi just has a way about him. I don’t know… I mean, I’m here in Europe (not San Diego) and have never played a video game in my whole life and still I’m tempted to fund this a bit. Just because he’s nice. I’m a victim.
You are welcome. It’s possible Levy’s friends will donate, but it’s doubtful whether we’ll know, especially if he can’t gather enough money to make NerdHQ this year.
At least the video compensated Hiddleston starting to follow Lupita and Jared Leto as soon as they won their Oscars. I’m not looking forward to seeing him in a photo with Leto and Uncle Terry. Actually, I hope it never happens.
Lilacflowers says: re
@icerose, some actors, like Judi Dench, Ian McKellan, Helen Mirren, have always gone back and forth between theater and film.
Not my opinions I was talking about a percentage of theatre goers who are usually in the older age range. There was a time when it was considered not the done thing for stage actors to make Hollywood block busters. McKellan and Dench was well into their careers before the crossed over into Hollywood type films. I am talking in decades. Now there is much more cross over between stage/TV /films but some people still feel that an actor has to spend a minimum of say 5/10 years in the theatre before he starts the cross over process, Tom’s rise to international stardom was very quick by some standards and his professional theatre experience is still quite limited so his coming back to a lead high profile production can annoy some people and make others question his abilities. Its also true of Law. i have an actress friend who thinks it is wrong for actors leaving drama school to go straight into films etc without having done theatre. It’s a very British way of thinking .But they are not universal opinions.
All a bit snobby really, you can’t blame any actor, particularly one straight out of drama school from taking what they are offered. Most of them probably can’t afford to be choosy.