Good news. Best Wishes For Tomorrow will be part of the Santa Barbara Film Festival. The director, Koizumi-san is coming in from Japan for it. There are two screenings. Saturday, February 2, at 4:45PM, and then on Sunday, February 3 at 11:15 AM. Both will be at the Metro 4 on State Street. I'll be onstage with the director, and my fellow American cast members, Bob Lesser and Fred McQueen, after each screening, conducting a quick Q & A. Please make it if you can, and meet the director! The link for the festival is at sbfilmfestival.orgMonday, January 21, 2008
SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Good news. Best Wishes For Tomorrow will be part of the Santa Barbara Film Festival. The director, Koizumi-san is coming in from Japan for it. There are two screenings. Saturday, February 2, at 4:45PM, and then on Sunday, February 3 at 11:15 AM. Both will be at the Metro 4 on State Street. I'll be onstage with the director, and my fellow American cast members, Bob Lesser and Fred McQueen, after each screening, conducting a quick Q & A. Please make it if you can, and meet the director! The link for the festival is at sbfilmfestival.org
Friday, November 9, 2007
Tokyo International Film Festival screening Best Wishes For Tomorrow
So my second trip to Japan, for the special premiere screening of "Best Wishes for Tomorrow" at the Tokyo International Film Festival, was quite a whirlwind.
Of course the first screening was a bit nerve-wracking; but then it's hard to watch myself and the film objectively, without remembering viscerally the actual filming experience.
The film has a wonderful period look, and a solid emotional point of view. People were very generous in their impressions, crying, obviously moved by the picture. It's rhythm is poetic and like Koizumi-san's other films it shares a dream-like quality.
It is as if director wants to say to the viewer, here is a slice of a remote time, a moment of very intense goings-on, relax - come on this journey - in the end you'll realize that things happen for a reason: life can be hard, but if the struggle, to be honorable, honest and spiritually expressive is undertaken - tomorrow is inevitable.
It's a very zen film in many ways. Though the military backdrop can appear so seemingly mundane and stiff, Koizumi-san has made it very human and thus tragic.
Our schedule was intense: the film, onstage greetings with brief speeches by us 5 key leads and the director, followed by a brief cocktail party and buffet - extremely brief, then we were whisked away to another side room where there were 200 or so journalist/still and motion photographer types, and us sitting in chairs on a makeshift stage to field questions.
I spoke a couple of times about how poetic the film is and how it demands the viewer to slow down and really be engaged, and that the General's message at the end of the movie is more poignant than ever - that despite the grimness and prospect of today's times, we now must, more than ever, fight for peace and spread the message of the film, that there is no good that comes from war. You can see a clip of our stage greeting if you click Film Festival site.
After that we were whisked off to our dressing room to await our turn for a TV interview for a cable show, Wow,Wow. Then back to the hotel for just a moment and then to gather together for dinner, with the director and some of the production company.
I spoke to the director a lot, told him how I thought the sound of the movie was perfect (we saw each other before the screening and he voiced concern of the quality in the 1600 seat or so theatre). There was no sound problem. Also the music was very good. The lead Actress, Ms. Fuji-san was beautiful, and though she never spoke on camera, only with some voice-over, she retained a powerful and moving presence.
We spoke about the possible future of the film (it's due to open nation-wide here March 1st). His first film played at the L.A. film festival, his only time in L.A., and I encouraged the idea of submitting it there as well as to N.Y.
Then I rejected a cab, and walked in the rain back to the hotel - maybe 2 miles through a crowded sea of umbrellas. I loved it. Really the best part of the day. I really miss the rain living in L.A.
Of course the first screening was a bit nerve-wracking; but then it's hard to watch myself and the film objectively, without remembering viscerally the actual filming experience.The film has a wonderful period look, and a solid emotional point of view. People were very generous in their impressions, crying, obviously moved by the picture. It's rhythm is poetic and like Koizumi-san's other films it shares a dream-like quality.
It is as if director wants to say to the viewer, here is a slice of a remote time, a moment of very intense goings-on, relax - come on this journey - in the end you'll realize that things happen for a reason: life can be hard, but if the struggle, to be honorable, honest and spiritually expressive is undertaken - tomorrow is inevitable.
It's a very zen film in many ways. Though the military backdrop can appear so seemingly mundane and stiff, Koizumi-san has made it very human and thus tragic.
Our schedule was intense: the film, onstage greetings with brief speeches by us 5 key leads and the director, followed by a brief cocktail party and buffet - extremely brief, then we were whisked away to another side room where there were 200 or so journalist/still and motion photographer types, and us sitting in chairs on a makeshift stage to field questions.
I spoke a couple of times about how poetic the film is and how it demands the viewer to slow down and really be engaged, and that the General's message at the end of the movie is more poignant than ever - that despite the grimness and prospect of today's times, we now must, more than ever, fight for peace and spread the message of the film, that there is no good that comes from war. You can see a clip of our stage greeting if you click Film Festival site.
After that we were whisked off to our dressing room to await our turn for a TV interview for a cable show, Wow,Wow. Then back to the hotel for just a moment and then to gather together for dinner, with the director and some of the production company.I spoke to the director a lot, told him how I thought the sound of the movie was perfect (we saw each other before the screening and he voiced concern of the quality in the 1600 seat or so theatre). There was no sound problem. Also the music was very good. The lead Actress, Ms. Fuji-san was beautiful, and though she never spoke on camera, only with some voice-over, she retained a powerful and moving presence.
We spoke about the possible future of the film (it's due to open nation-wide here March 1st). His first film played at the L.A. film festival, his only time in L.A., and I encouraged the idea of submitting it there as well as to N.Y.
Then I rejected a cab, and walked in the rain back to the hotel - maybe 2 miles through a crowded sea of umbrellas. I loved it. Really the best part of the day. I really miss the rain living in L.A.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
From Bill Viola to NutriSystem
So here is the NutriSystem infomercial I completed last year. We definitely got the job done!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
World Premiere 'Best Wishes for Tomorrow’ Tokyo International Film Festival
So, I've been asked to return to Tokyo, along with my American comrades, Bob Lesser and Fred McQueen for the world Tokyo International Film, October 27th. Pretty exciting. If there's any chance you'll be in Tokyo at that time, I'd love to see you there. You can also check out the trailer.
Right now, they have me leaving on Thursday Oct. 25 to return the following Thursday, Nov. 1. So, all in all, with travel and time changes that will add up to five crammed days of PR work. Not bitching about it. I'm flattered that they've asked me back, and I'm excited to reunite with all the wonderful people I've met there. This time I will bring presents! I had a suitcase full of gifts, including fans, saki, pictures, even a samurai sword (which was nearly impossible to get through customs!) that were endlessly bestowed on me before I left Japan.
Yes, I look forward to seeing the film, also a bit nervous about it. I have a very hard time watching myself act, without being the most ruthless of critics, mercilessly ripping my performance to shreds. In this case especially. The film has such a pedigree of talent involved, with Koizumi-san, the director, and the wonderful Japanese actors - I just want it to be well received.
My one regret really is that I'll be missing Halloween with Olivia, my 6 year old daughter.
Here are some more production stills that were recently sent my way.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Me in Bill Viola video in Venice
While looking up the location of the Viola video at the Biennale for a friend on his way to Venice, I came upon this youtube video featuring my performance.
check it out!
You can also see people's comments on youtube.
check it out!
You can also see people's comments on youtube.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Days off
I've been taking full advantage of my time off. Wednesday I traveled to majestic Mt. Fuji, and went to a natural hotsprings spa at the foothills of the mountain. 
I had an okay one hour shiatsu - but the hot water and cold plunges were wonderful.
Tuesday I went to a museum in the Ueno section of Tokyo. I saw some very interesting contemporary art at the Royal Museum. Then I went back to the Asukasa section (getting pretty proficient riding the rails here) to buy kimonos for Randi and Olivia.
On Tuesday night, director Koizumi-san took us out to dinner at the Kurosawa restaurant (owned by his son), with Kurosawa's daughter and grandson (our film's wardrobe designer, and supporting actor). Kind of a Hard Rock Cafe to the film legend - with his original storyboards, and various memorabilia all over,e.g. posters, photos of Mifune and Kurosawa hanging out, etc., according to his daughter they were huge whiskey drinkers.
Hanging here, working, it's pretty amazing. Would love all this work to continue when I return to L.A. - must stay positive -Ya mon!
I had an okay one hour shiatsu - but the hot water and cold plunges were wonderful. Tuesday I went to a museum in the Ueno section of Tokyo. I saw some very interesting contemporary art at the Royal Museum. Then I went back to the Asukasa section (getting pretty proficient riding the rails here) to buy kimonos for Randi and Olivia.
On Tuesday night, director Koizumi-san took us out to dinner at the Kurosawa restaurant (owned by his son), with Kurosawa's daughter and grandson (our film's wardrobe designer, and supporting actor). Kind of a Hard Rock Cafe to the film legend - with his original storyboards, and various memorabilia all over,e.g. posters, photos of Mifune and Kurosawa hanging out, etc., according to his daughter they were huge whiskey drinkers.
Hanging here, working, it's pretty amazing. Would love all this work to continue when I return to L.A. - must stay positive -Ya mon!
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Best Wishes - little more than one week left.
Here I am as Col. Louis Rapp, president of the military commission. When I first arrived in Tokyo we traveled to Yokahama to see the real courtroom - the art department has expertly duplicated the original.
Things are going well. Yesterday was a very long day, an unusually long one. Took almost all day to shoot one scene, with some complicated choreography with all the various players.
Can't believe there's little more than 1 week left. I have 2 days off next week starting on Tuesday. Plan to go to Mt. Fuji for one of them. It'll be great to actually experience a bit of nature.
Things are going well. Yesterday was a very long day, an unusually long one. Took almost all day to shoot one scene, with some complicated choreography with all the various players.
Can't believe there's little more than 1 week left. I have 2 days off next week starting on Tuesday. Plan to go to Mt. Fuji for one of them. It'll be great to actually experience a bit of nature.
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