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Chris Evans Gives Mr. Beaks A Little PUSH!
If you only know Chris Evans from his brash portrayal of Johnny Storm (aka The Human Torch) in the FANTASTIC FOUR movies, you're missing out. Though he's quite comfortable with letting his natural charisma and good looks do the heavy lifting in studio movies like THE FANTASTIC FOUR and CELLULAR, he's steadily complemented those mainstream efforts with a number of impressively layered turns in less commercial fare like SUNSHINE, LONDON and the very odd FIERCE PEOPLE (where that effortless charm mutates into something deeply fucked up). It's not a staggeringly brilliant body of work just yet, but the range on display and willingness to muss up that pretty boy image is admirable.
Now comes Paul McGuigan's PUSH, a superhero-ish yarn in which Evans plays Nick Gant, a telekinetically-abled young man on the lam from nefarious government types who want to exploit his nascent powers for evil. Though the film appears to rely heavily on his movie star reflexes, McGuigan's insistence on location shooting (in Hong Kong) and practical f/x (augmented by CG when absolutely necessary) gives Evans and his costars the opportunity to react to something real rather than the usual greenscreen environments. And the actors - at least Evans and Fanning, from what I've seen - respond with lively performances that imbues the film with a live-wire intensity.
For Evans, PUSH is also an opportunity to pick up another franchise (or, judging from his FF comments below, replace a stalled one). At the risk of giving away the ending, he certainly sounds upbeat about the possibility. He's also rather enthusiastic about getting cast as Lucas Lee (aka "Evil Ex-Boyfriend #2) in Edgar Wright's SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD (based on the glorious graphic novels by Bryan Lee O'Malley). And while the blue tights might be retired for now, he makes it clear that he wouldn't say "no" if Marvel Studios required Johnny Storm's services again.
Mr. Beaks: Sorry we didn't see you at Butt-Numb-a-Thon this year.
Chris Evans: Ah, yeah.
Beaks: We'll have to get you down there sometime.
Evans: Absolutely!
Beaks: I was actually going back over old interviews, and I forgot that I first met you on the set of CELLULAR.
Evans: Oh, no kidding!
Beaks: There was a smallish group on a set visit [at the Santa Monica Pier], and I remember the producers being really excited about your work. Dean Devlin said, and I quote, "I haven't been this excited about a young actor since Will Smith!"
Evans: (Laughs) Well, I paid him to say that, so...
Beaks: (Laughing) And it was soon after that you got the role as the Human Torch and everything took off. But when you're doing a film like that, and people are expressing this confidence in you... I mean, you have to feel that. Does that impact how you handle yourself on set? Do you let it get in your head at all?
Evans: That's a really great question. Obviously, it's never ... when you're aware people are banking on you to deliver... tricky question, tricky question. Yes, there is an intimidating element to it, but you can't let that be the motivating factor on a daily basis. If you do, you'll second guess yourself and you won't trust your instincts; you won't trust what has enabled you to get where you are. So certainly I think all actors have days where they beat themselves up unnecessarily, and it can be easy to slip into a very insecure place and panic about the expectations of other people. But I think if you do that, it's a slippery slope, and you'll start to change your approach to acting - and that could be more detrimental than any botched performance could possibly be.
Beaks: But I also imagine that as you get a few movies under your belt - and some decent reviews, and realize people like you - that you get into a real groove. That you come on to a film with a certain confidence.
Evans: Sure, yeah. I've made it a rule of thumb to not read reviews because whether they're good or bad, I still somehow have a way of beating myself up. I think all actors are head cases, so I try to avoid reading them. I find the times that things feel the best are when you have a good rapport with your director: when you're on a set, it's a safe environment, you feel comfortable and confident and you can explore and you really don't think at all about the expectations of other people or how you'll be perceived. I think it's safer to operate in a cocoon and just kind of create with your director and hope for the best.
Beaks: How did PUSH come to you? I know there are some franchise aspirations for this film, but was it just a standalone script? How did that work?
Evans: Yeah, I got sent the script and I started reading it. I didn't even know what it was about. And then twenty pages in, it just completely grabbed my attention. It's a very intricate plot and a really interesting story, so to say it was a page-turner would be an understatement. I burned through it. So I called my team, and said, "I can't wait to meet with whoever is going to be quarterbacking this thing." And I sat down with Paul [McGuigan], and he had such a great vision for it as far as the palette. He wanted it very natural, very gritty, a lot of hand-held camera work, a desire for limited CGI. If they wanted to do an effect, it was going to really happen; we were going to be playing off a tangible environment and not relying on greenscreens. And when those elements combined, I thought it was a really cool vision that Paul had.
Beaks: When Paul said he was going to do as little CG as possible, obviously that meant more physical stuntwork on your part. How much of that did you end up doing?
Evans: It was a lot, actually, and it was so nice! I'm so used to sitting on those FANTASTIC FOUR sets where it's all mental stamina: you're hanging from a wire in front of a greenscreen for eight hours; it's not as much physically demanding as it is mentally demanding. [PUSH] was a movie where, like I said, the world was so tangible, if there was going to be a fight sequence, instead of it being all CGI, they said, "You know, we're going to strap some pads on you, and you're going to get in there and start throwing some punches!" It was actually a real treat to get your hands dirty on a daily basis and really throw yourself around.
Beaks: I haven't seen the finished film yet, but in the scenes I have seen, you're playing against a maturing Dakota Fanning. She's a little more grown-up than we've seen her before. Was that at all disconcerting to you?
Evans: I said earlier in an interview that it's very intimidating when you meet someone who was born in the '90s and has a more extensive vocabulary than you do. She's wildly intelligent, scarily mature, and there are times where you have to stop and monitor yourself. You'll be having this conversation with her, and after twenty minutes it's as if you're talking to a peer, maybe even someone older than you - and the content of the conversation might all of a sudden skew in a more R-rated direction, and you're like, "Wait a minute! You're a little girl! I can't talk with you about these things!" It's amazing working with someone who is so talented and so successful, and still has managed to keep her heart intact. She's such a good person. There's a genuine sincerity to her, and she deserves everything that she has found.
Beaks: Without knowing how this film turns out, I'm curious if they've approached you about doing further installments in this series.
Evans: They've yet to approach me, but they certainly leave the script open. At the end of the film, it's very, very much left open for a sequel. And there is still a lot of story to explore, so hopefully if the film is received well, I can only imagine that the second installment will be even more interesting.
Beaks: And just working with Paul McGuigan, I know he talked a lot about shooting hand-held on location in Hong Kong, and setting up cameras in side of vans to capture you guys on the street... how did that work?
Evans: It was tough. It was guerilla-style shooting. Hong Kong has a lot of strange regulations about where you can and cannot shoot - especially when you're working on exterior shots on the street. So, yeah, some days we just kind of grabbed a camera, ran out and just started filming until someone started yelling. It was quite an experience, but, again, that tangible world to play off just lends itself to the actors, and hopefully the audience will be the ones who benefit.
Beaks: On to your other franchise: THE FANTASTIC FOUR. Where do things stand with that right now?
Evans: I could be wrong, but I think they've put it to bed. I've not heard anything, and it's been such a long time since the second film. Traditionally, if they are going to be continuing with the franchise, they like to get things off the ground to keep the momentum rolling. But it's been at least over a year now since the last one came out, and I haven't heard anything, so I'm pretty sure we're done. But I don't know for sure.
Beaks: You were such perfect casting for The Human Torch. Would you be open to coming back and playing the character in [a non-FANTASTIC FOUR] film? I don't know what Marvel's plans are, but they seem to be trying to combine franchises right now.
Evans: That would be great. That would be so much fun. I would love to get a phone call and somehow have Johnny Storm appear somewhere... anywhere! I had a great, great time playing him. He's such a fun character. And I'm not going to lie: I loved the blue tights. I had a blast getting into them every day. I was living a childhood fantasy everyday on that set. So if they ever call my number up, I will jump into the suit.
Beaks: (Getting the wrap-it-up signal) What do you have coming up next?
Evans: I'm going to do a comedy with Edgar Wright. He wrote and directed HOT FUZZ and SHAUN OF THE DEAD. Very clever guy. He's doing a movie called [SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD]. It's a very funny film.
It is also, I'm told, incredibly erotic.
PUSH hits theaters nationwide on February 6, 2009.
Faithfully submitted,
Mr. Beaks
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+ Expand All
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Where David Ellis tried to kill a bunch of reporters with his golf cart "stunt-driving" and Statham tried to pick up extras while wearing a funny wicker hat. Memories...
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the first more than the second but Evans has always come across as likable in whatever he does and he was perfectly cast for the Human Torch. I've been following Push here and there for a while - looks a'ight but I'll probably wait for dvd.
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With Edgar Wright?
hhhmmmm..... I'm going to say.... eewww. -
So, ok. Yeah.
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I thought that was quite funny.
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Best Blu-Ray Movie in existence.
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Take a pretty-boy actor, give him some weird power and an agency against him , headed by a black man...and you've got this years Jumper...
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...but it sure smells good!
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Guy needs to talk to Danny Boyle and get more work with him.
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As in, pushing poop
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although his character had "DEAD MEAT" written all over it.
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someone saw how bad Heroes S2 was getting and they said "I can do a better job than this!"
Let's hope they do. I think it looks like fun! -
Jan 29, 2009 1:11:39 PM CST
Sunshine was great until they brought in the "antagonist"
by iamnicksaicnsn
It was such a good character piece, such a good claustrophobia movie that it felt disingenuous at best to feature a monster. Or at least the way they did it. Maybe it was an editing thing?
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Either talkback has gotten extremely mature or i've gotten extremely immature. All I could think when I read that was "Hi I'm Chris Hanson,have a seat, so your screen name is Torchyourass29?" I must have been the only one.
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BUTT-HEAD: Push that little button on the remote.
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X-men/Heroes redone.
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until it turned into Event Horizon.
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Sunshine was stunning from beginning to end. But the Antagonist was amazing. The lack of focus suggested lack of focus/madness much more than any clear visual would have. Plus there was a much more obvious divide between "him" and the other characters.
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...sucking so much, i expected something far worse. I actually had no problem with it.
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heroes writers take note.
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Chris Evans reminds me rather of Sam Rockwell but without the constant sugar rush. He's actually got all the ingredients to make it onto the A list of leading men if he just connects with the right part. I doubt that PUSH is it, but you never know. Mr Evans, if you're reading this, then good luck to ya.
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The Jump-ening
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represent! Chris really shined in Not Another Teen Movie and I really dug Sunshine minus the very end.
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Was great as the Human torch, I enjoyed both FF movies although the second was too cheesy even for the FF and Doc Doom definitely needs to be recast, but I agree keep Evans and Chiklis, and I would welcome another FF movie. FF was definitely a more light hearted comic, but they went too far with it in the second one, and hell it was called Rise OF The Silver Surfer and the surfer was barely a factor in the movie, sure he looked great but they wasted the character.
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too bad he can't be in that sequel
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Evans was great in Sunshine, but did anyone else think it was almost like a remake/reimagining of Event Horizon?
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Chris is actually a pretty solid actor and as someone correctly pointed out; is often a bright spot in otherwise awful movies (like Fantastic Four). He just needs to get more consistent and choosy in his film selection and not take everything thrown at him (like Samuel L. Jackson does).
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...with seemingly terrible taste in his selection of scripts. PUSH really does look like an unofficial sequel to JUMPER.
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The Human Torch and Spiderman are racing and cracking jokes about each other around the city as the opening of a Spiderman movie. That would be awesome. Cant happen, but awesome non the less.
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They showed a scene at BNAT of a gunfight in which the participants controlled the guns with their minds. I'm reasonably sure it wasn't meant to be funny, but I was laughing my ass off anyway.
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Jan 29, 2009 2:48:26 PM CST
Beaks should have asked if he fucked Chiklis....
by dannyglovers_dickblood
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Shia! Get out of the spot light!
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It would have worked.
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.....I would still not have a chance with someone that good looking. I think we have all of his stuff on DVD. OK, the wife likes him....a lot. Anyway, I have liked Chris Evans in most of his roles and I don't even mind FF except Evans and Chiklis are the only reasons to watch. I agree that PUSH looks like JUMPER and I had some hopes for JUMPER since the first book was pretty good. Second book not so much. I will probably catch PUSH but I am not expecting too much to be honest. At least not from the previews thus far. Chris good luck on the next project. Much better choice.
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He looks to old, he looks like an adult. LeBouf was better at being a goofball kid.
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Evans marked himself out on that film as someone to watch.
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Jan 29, 2009 3:19:40 PM CST
I WAS MORE THA HALFWAY INTO SUNSHINE BEFORE REALIZING
by bringingsexyback
that was Chris Evans. Not only was it a great movie (to Danny Boyle's everlasting credit) but Evans really stood out, especially in his final scenes. Great performance - this guy needs more and better work. I'd only like him as Johnny Storm if FF were helmed by a better director. His talents are totally wasted so far in that shitty franchise.
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Too bad he took the Human Torch role already. Damn.
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I never read FF comics so I can't say how accurate he was but I loathed every second that dickhead was on screen. His voice, the goofy ass way he acted (makes me think he's mocking more than acting) and though I haven't read much of the comics, I have read a little and what little I have doesn't seem remotely like Chiklis. Evans was great as the Torch tho and I think the interplay between them was good but on his own, Chiklis is ass.
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His end moment are fucking awesome. He is such a selfless badass.
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Indy is 62, dude. Don Rickles could have played his son and we would've had to buy it.
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Jan 29, 2009 3:41:36 PM CST
But seriously....picture Evans just knocking the wind.....
by dannyglovers_dickblood
...out of Chiklis with every thrust. The hardest ball and ball slaps you've ever heard!! OUCH!
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Jan 29, 2009 3:42:41 PM CST
Don Rickles as Indy's son. I would have accepted it.
by dannyglovers_dickblood
More than Schnoz The Curly Haired Wonder.
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I say this in every article related to Chris Evans or Y: THE LAST MAN, but he would be perfect for the role.
All he needs to do is NOT work out. -
Jan 29, 2009 3:56:11 PM CST
But seriously....picture Evans just passing the wind.....
by ironic_name
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Shh broke the news a little while ago. thought it would be up by now...
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I actually think it was better than rise of the silver surfer. Really disappointing. Doom was terrible and the stuff at the end in the Fantasicar was just shocking. Chris Rocks though!
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like rachel weitz, kate beckinsale and nigella lawson are the same woman.
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Yeah....thats like Burt Reynolds and Tom Selleck in the 80s. Or Patrick Swayze and Kurt Russell? Or Thom Yorke, David Thewlis and David Wenham, all the same fucking guy.
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Indiana Jones and the Golden Hockey Puck
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But the movies were pure shit and everyone else except Chiklis (and Jones in the 2nd one) were horribly miscast.
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I know, DC is perpetually chasing after Marvel's imagination in the way they're handling movies, but I'll always be a bigger DC fan than a Marvel fan, and I'm really sick of only getting Batman and Superman movies. Warner Bros, get off your asses!!!!
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Please amalgamate those three ladies, and send her to me.
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That clip with the hovering guns is awful, and every punch the guys throw is accentuated with some horrible whizz-bang-zzap flashing. All 'new' concepts for the action, no actual sense of drama or danger. Bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeurgh.
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Fox probably still has the rights to Johnny Storm, but, perhaps he could be cast as the original Human Torch in an Invaders spin-off from the Cap movie.
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But then Paul Blart was #1 for two weeks in a row, so Push might end up being box office champ of all time.
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all kidding aside, when was the last time you heard an actor (especially one with a six-pack) give such cohesive and concise answers to questions, and have them not be just the normal pabulum? pretty impressive.
imagine Sean William Scott saying, "[...] it's a slippery slope, and you'll start to change your approach to acting - and that could be more detrimental than any botched performance could possibly be."honestly, you're never gonna hear something that well put. this guy's gonna grow into a workman type actor as he gets older, and be huge. the smart ones always are. -
Revive two franchises at once with a no-holds barred intense action-scifi epic. Start it as a Fantastic Four movie; Thunderbolt Ross calls in Richards/FF to help subdue the Hulk. Finish it as a Hulk movie as the Hulk, somewhat subdued by Richards supertech, transitions into the Avengers initiative. There HAS to be a super-fight between the Thing and the Hulk; but the Thing would have to be bulked up to more like he is in the comics, not based on Chiklis' physique. I would pay money to see those movies, if they had the balls to give it to a decent director: keep Tim Story away from the FF with a 10 foot pole.
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Good looking guy who actually does better playing against type (for Franco, Freaks and Geeks and Pineapple Express). I think Evans could do the same thing.
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His brother is gay and is on the soap One Lufe to Live.
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Ideal bearcub boyfriend.
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Yeah. Feels like Jumper. I wish Jumper would get a couple sequels, but it won't. Push would be cool if a sequel were assured, but alas, NO. It won't get a sequel. The marketing is all fucked up. I really wish original super-hero type screenplays could get a break! and, before anyone says anything, FUCK Hancock. I hated that movie.
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Dingbatty, I can't guaranty it'll work, but it'll be fun trying.
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I'm seeing him in another light. thanks dude.
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nuff said
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Jan 29, 2009 10:21:22 PM CST
"Does not exist in this dojo" does not exist in this dojo
by nasty in the pasty
Honestly...CUT THAT SHIT OUT. Where the fuck did that phrase originate, anyways?
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it was friggin Karate Kid. At least that's better than the ongoing ocular rape you get to hear about in every thread
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Jan 29, 2009 11:06:21 PM CST
why does mr beaks not have a cleverly drawn character logo?
by gungan slayer
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FANTASTIC FOUR shit.Simple truth.
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Jumper was based on a series of books, so not wholly original, thou there is naturally source material for any sequel
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He seems like the type.
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Jan 30, 2009 5:34:16 AM CST
Sunshine was a typical Danny Boyle flick
by i_am_not_the_droid_you_are_looking_for
Excellent set up with a botched third act.
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Jan 30, 2009 5:38:33 AM CST
Evans best flick is NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE
by i_am_not_the_droid_you_are_looking_for
You know this to be true."She's right... maybe you should get on that plane to Paris. Cause if you stay, we really only have the summer, then I go to college and we'll talk on the phone and spend the occasional weekend together which is nice. But chances are one night I'm gonna get wrecked and have unprotected sex with some girl in my dorm. You'll find her thong and call me a slut... I'll call you a cock-tease and we'll break up. So when you really think about it, what's the point?"
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I'm also surprised about how few people know about Sunshine, which I thought was very good. It seems like a movie that could have gotten mass appeal.
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Push 2: Shove
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I think it would have been a MUCH better film if they stuck with the very human and believable problems raised in the first two thirds of the film (the mistake the asian guy made, the psyche guy being obsecessed with the sun, which was my favorite idea in the whole thing.) I REALLY wish the bad guy had been the sun, the closer they got the more crew becomes infatuated with the sun, and that it or the radiation it produces at that closeness was causing crazy things to happen in their minds. Or even that it was an evil sentient force in some way. I love the movie but the ending is cheap and unnecessary (like the ending of high tension)
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I first saw him in the under-rated NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE and he was a genuinely watchable leading man who clearly had good comedic chops, and didn't take himself too seriously. Hopefully he'll get the kind of big-screen vehicle that has eluded Nathan Fillion and make him a major star.
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