"It was a dark and stormy night..."

Oh, actually it was 7pm and not really *dark* yet...and I wouldn't so much call it stormy as just a light New Yawk drizzle...



Last night, through the generosity of a very dear friend, I attended a screening of "Van Helsing" in New York City. It turned out to be a bigger night than I expected - the only thing I *did* expect to be just larger than life was the film itself. But, more on that in a moment.

After being seated in the center section about 1/3 from the back wall of the theater, a gentleman walked up in front of the screen, microphone in hand. I expected him to be some regional flack from Universal. But then he spoke..."Hi, everyone. I'm Steve Sommers, the director of "Van Helsing." The place went nuts! "You are the first audience ANYWHERE to see "Van Helsing" finished! Enjoy!" What a treat! The director was "in da house" and we were the first people to see it.

If you're looking for fun, adventure, dark humor and romance in the style of the legendary monster movies of the early 20th Century, you've found your film. Sommers has made "Van Helsing" a wonderful tribute to the creature characters of old (Wolfman, Dracula, Frankenstein) but with the special effects capabilities at his command, it is truly a "monster mash" for the new millennium. Hugh is just awesome as Gabriel Van Helsing - you can read every emotion and moment on his face, no vagueness here. A tortured soul, a man of God, a murderer, a saviour...and a dashing figure cut across several countries. Spirited and spiritual, Hugh plays the role beautifully. (It is funny how after reading so many articles about the film, I found myself giggling as I watched the scenes mentioned, such as the 'dragged on a tray under the horses' moment and the 'I was seeing a face full of knees' scene). The rest of the cast is also spot-on, including Richard Roxburgh as Dracula (think Alan Rickman as the Sheriff of Nottingham in "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" to get a taste of the tone of this capillary-craving count) and Shuler Hensley as probably the most personality-infused Frankenstein ever. Sommers gave him so much spirit and heart, just awesome. Anna Valerious, played by the simply exquisite Kate Beckinsale, is a tough yet tender, silk and steel combination and you can see in every frame how much she put into the character. She's one butt-kicking princess!

I'm not going to go into anything about the actual plot here because I want everyone to experience it for themselves. Plus, if you're really curious to know, there are LOTS of places online to get the plot and all its spoilers already.

The biggest surprise for my friend and I last night came after the movie had let out. I told her that I wanted to get my screening pass signed by Stephen Sommers (and then hopefully by Hugh tonight at BFO) and she graciously stayed with me. We had been chatting with a limo driver (I'd noticed that there were SEVERAL limos / Town Cars, which seemed rather odd, as it was just a screening, not a premiere) and he told us that he was driving Josie Maran (Cover Girl cosmetics spokesmodel and one of the three Brides of Dracula). Sure enough, a few minutes later, Josie and her boyfriend came out and I was lucky enough to get her autograph. I turned to my friend and said, "Well, she's a model, she probably lives here, but I doubt the rest of the cast is around. If Richard Roxburgh is here, though, I'll totally lose my mind. He was INCREDIBLE as the Duke in "Moulin Rouge" and Hugh Stamp in "Mission Impossible 2"" About 10 minutes later, the impossible-to-miss Shuler Hensley walked out - we got his siggy (and I got my chance to finally tell him how much I adored 'Oklahoma') and a flutter in the pit of my tummy started...no way, Richard couldn't possibly be here too. A few minutes later, the flutter turned into a legs-to-jello moment as Richard walked out of the theater into the cool April evening with his beautiful fiancee, Silvia Colloca (who is also one of the Brides of Dracula in the film - soon to be one offscreen as well LOL!!!). We spoke for several minutes (ladies, he is GORGEOUS in person, blond hair, great smile!!!!) as he signed an autograph and took a couple of photos with me. Gosh, I swear I felt like a giggling idiot. I even told him that my birthday was coming up and that seeing the film was such a great gift - he added "Happy Birthday!!" to my autograph and when he said goodbye, he took my cheek in his hand, wished me a happy birthday and gave me a smooch on the cheek. SWOOOONAGE!!


After a few more moments in the cold, I realized that there was a lovely blonde lady in the lobby...hair up in a clip...a very familiar looking woman...none other than the luckiest woman alive, Deborra-Lee Furness! My friend and I decided that we had to tell her how much we loved the film and to wish Hugh the best with it on our behalf. She was very sweet and gracious as always. Finally, we found Stephen Sommers and spoke for a few minutes - I told him that I would be posting about the film here on the Forum but promised to not give anything away, except the desire I have for EVERYONE ON THE PLANET TO SEE THE FILM!!!

It was a magical night - I've been to advance screenings before, but not with the cast in attendance. It almost felt like this was the New York premiere but without the red carpet. I'd say 1/2 of the theater was press (spotted Jerry Penacoli from Extra and I *think* Billy Bush from Access Hollywood, but most of the press was print, I believe).

Thank you again to my friend for going with me and to my sweet guardian angel benefactress for making it possible.

See ya'll at the theaters on May 7th! Anyone up for a group trip to see it in NYC in 2 weeks? Please PM me!!!

Love to all,

Lizzy
Starstruck ScarfDiva

Wow, what a night, Lizzy! You were definitely in the right place at the right time! And now I'm looking forward even MORE to the movie. It sounds fantastic.

Thanks for the great report!

Laurie

Ok Lizzy - whatever resumes you have out there, scratch them and start sending them to papers/magazines/whatevah...cause you should be a writer/critic!!! What a wonderful report!!!

What an awesome evening!! You'll have to post the pics of you and Richard when you can.

Dawn

Lucky, lucky Lizzy! That is so awesome! Sounds like you had an amazing time last night. Color me completely jealous!

Kristin

You lucky ducky!

Please post the pictures when you can.

--Rocki

Wow...someone up there is certainly smiling down on you, Lizzy! You are a lucky lady and let that luck help you find the perfect job too.
Sounds like an awesome night!
Bonnie

Oh Lizzy, what a wonderful birthday present-and the week isn't over yet!!!

I'm so happy for you, and yes, Dawn is right, like I've been telling you, you are PERFECT for Public Relations/Advertising/Communications fields!!! Terrific job reporting.

Bert

You lucky dog you!
I can see why it pays to do homework on people other than Hugh!!

quote:

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Originally posted by jeanelaine:
You lucky dog you!
I can see why it pays to do homework on people other than Hugh!!

---

Jean,

I've been a trivia geek for as long as I can remember - my dad was the same way. I've even been on game shows (Heather, the Yahoo! ListMum, has seen tapes of them!!!). My mind just seems to work like a bit of a Rolodex, storing away bits and pieces on people that catch my ear, my eye or my attention.

I think it is also what makes me so darned lethal at Six Degrees of Hugh.

Perfect example is the Hugh-Richard Roxburgh connection that does NOT include Van Helsing...

Richard, as mentioned above, was really bad guy Hugh Stamp in Mission Impossible 2. Had the filming of said film not gone overtime, Hugh would not have ended up as Wolverine.

Also, one of the other bad guys (the computer geek who confirms the money transfer at the end of MI2) was played by William Mapother (Tom Cruise's cousin). He was also one of the two hitmen on Gabriel's crew in "Swordfish" (he was the one to drag the female hostage out of the bank in the beginning of the film).

See what I mean? A freaking mental Rolodex. LOL

Hugs,

Lizzy

How's about a RoloLizzyDex!?!?
The 'stuff' pops out in a moment's notice.
Everyone should keep one handy!

Amazing connections!

And it also helps to know who you're standing next to. I don't know how many times I said, "Who's that, Lizzy?" this past weekend. hahaha

~Heather

quote:

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Originally posted by Heather:
And it also helps to know who you're standing next to. I don't know how many times I said, "Who's that, Lizzy?" this past weekend. hahaha

~Heather

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I'd rather be your RoloLizzyDex than your wind barrier, Mumsy.

Lizzy
ScarfDiva

ATTN: Headhunters: Get this woman a job in PR. She's being wasted!!!

BTW, Lizzy- how was the audience reaction (as if I have to ask )

Audience reaction was good...laughter was in all the right places...not wild and crazy.

Actually a little subdued.

Nothing to worry about

Lizzy
ScarfDiva who would bid on that VH hat in a heartbeat if it hit eBay...

Oooh, you lucky lady! I can't wait to see it. I'm going to go on a Monday when I can leave the kids with my husband, an afternoon matinee when the house is empty and I'm free to drool and hoot all I want!

That's extremely cool, Lizzy. We're all jealous! I don't know what your work is now, but everyone's right -- go into PR!
Cath

Current job: Administrative assistant at JPMorgan Chase

HOWEVER

I'm also part-time freelancing for an events planner (I've worked the opening night party for the Broadway show "Match" and will be working the parties for "Bombay Dreams" and "Prymate" as well as Harvey Fierstein's farewell party from "Hairspray" over the next few weeks.

The part time gig makes the full time one bearable.

Hugs

Lizzy
PR ScarfDiva

Lizzy, I so happy this job is working out as well as you hoped! Fantastic! I know this is just perfect for you. Too bad Hugh had to "work" last night, although I'm sure the people in the Imperial didn't feel that way.
Cricket

Lizzy, I am so delighted you had such a fab time, and getting to meet Richard too??? To use a Farscapism -- "Holy frell!!!"

This wasn't a premiere, but it sure sounds like it could rival one. Glad that Deb was there, it was only right the Jackmans have a representative handy.

And I am sooooooo jazzed about this film, I can't wait!

Hugs,
Kelly

Do you have any idea about how long the movie was, the running time ? I heard either 155 or 130 ?