| April 23, 2003
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EN's comments on George Bush
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[PLEASE SEE May 1st part 2]
Yesterday's New York Post includes comments EN made about President George Bush from an
interview with London Times (April 19, 2002)
It's
the thought that counts. I found the article, which was done to
promote 25th Hour, to make sure the Post had printed his comments in their entirety
(which they did).
If he had additional comments, they were not included in the
London
Times article [HE HAD ADDITIONAL COMMENTS- SEE ABOVE]. Here they are:
How does he rate George W Bush's performance as president? "As an
actor," he says, "I know in my gut, watching him, what a low-quality mind he has.
Because I've been doing this since I was five years old, I know when a person is
saying words that aren't their own - and it's as apparent as it could possibly be
to me that he's a mouthpiece, and not even a good mouthpiece. Reagan was a
B-movie actor, but at least he had the ability to touch certain emotional notes.
Bush is just utterly incapable of it."
And again, I am at a loss at what to write, so let me offer a comparison. This
weekend, I went to the Kennedy Center to see Sandra Tsing Loh perform her one woman
show "I Worry". As someone who grew up in southern California, I have always enjoyed
her work since reading "Depth Takes A Holiday" and love her stories of Ikea, temping, and her
father's Chinese wives. I was simultaneously anxious to see the show, but dreading
the subject matter. The stage looked like a disaster area: it was cordoned off with
hazard cones and yellow caution tape and covered in piles of plastic sheeting
with rolls of duct tape, cases of bottled water and Top Ramen. A digital clock was
counting down to some unknown time (it turned out to be the end of the show),
recordings of news reports played in the background
while a slide of the color code alert status was projected in the background. She
came out in a gas mask and disposable isolation suit, and I felt myself smiling and
laughing as she tapped into all my fears of the present day, going through her
worries at breakneck speed from a roll of adding machine paper fastened around her
neck. I felt energized and reconnected to the world around me from the experience.
In comparison, when I read EN's comments I felt drained. Why? Because he chose to make only
superficial criticisms. It's fine to voice concern about the President's performance,
however, policy and issues are more important than stage presence. It's an easy
cheap shot and fairly popular one. There is no intellect behind that type of attack.
It serves no purpose. And if you're not going to tackle the issues, make a
statement through creativity. London theatergoers are able to see "The Madness of
George Dubya," and back in March, the ancient Greek anti-war comedy "Lysistrata" was
performed around the world. I received nothing meaningful from his comments, which
makes me wonder why he would bother to say them.
I disabled the email function on this website. I don't work for
Edward Norton, there is no point in writing me a two sentence email to tell me
you hate him. If you want to voice an opinion buy a stamp, write a letter.
Edward Norton
c/o Endeavor Talent Agency,LLC
9701 Wilshire Blvd. 10th
Floor
Beverly Hills CA 90212
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| April 12, 2003
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Upcoming EN articles, Italian Job poster
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25th Hour is about to be released in the U.K., so there are a number of interviews currently
out in U.K. publications. April's Hot Dog magazine, Total Film
magazine and today's (Saturday's) Guardian newspaper
(which they've also posted on their website).
Guardian's
He who calls the shots [Thanks to Jo, Stacey and Karla for the info!!!].
I ran across the Italian Job poster while at the movies and
found that it is posted at JoBlo.com.
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| April 8, 2003
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Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor
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EN received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor for his work in Lanford Wilson's Burn This in the
18th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. Burn This also
received a nomination for Outstanding Revival and another of the Signature Theatre Company's productions,
Wilson's Fifth of July, received five nominations. Unfortunately, it seems, the awards night will
be held on Monday, May 5th which is also the same night that EN will be co-hosting the Signature Theatre
Company's celebration in honor of Edward Albee and Elizabeth Ireland McCann (more info on the event in the section
below).
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| April 7, 2003
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Fifth Anniversary, Italian Job site and trailer, Signature Theatre
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As of today, the Edward Norton Information Page has been online for five years. I've followed EN's career
since fall 1996, right before the release of Everyone Says I Love You and
The People Vs. Larry Flynt [I missed Primal Fear in the theaters
- I was knee deep in my MPH thesis at the time]. I had planned that it would just be a small one or two page
site (the plan lasted about two days) and I've had a lot of fun doing it.
The Italian Job trailer is now in theaters attached to Vin Diesel's A Man Apart and
the official Italian Job website is up and running (to a limited extent, you can
register for updates and take a look at the cast of characters) [Thanks to Justin and Patrik for the info!].
I just found that today's Dark Horizons update includes a link to the Italian Job
trailer in Quicktime format-
Italian Job trailer.
(it is also available on Moviefone in Real Player format).
The Signature Theatre Company is holding a celebration in
honor of Edward Albee and Elizabeth Ireland McCann. EN is co-hosting the event which will be held on Monday,
May 5th at the Essex House in NYC. Ticket prices start at $300 with the proceeds to benefit the Signature
Theatre Company and the Edward F. Albee Foundation. For more information on the event, call (212)967-1913 x28.
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| April 3, 2003
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First Look at EN in Italian Job
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The first glimpse of EN in The Italian Job (look above) is a screenshot from the trailer (which unfortunately
is not online) posted by The Trades Trailer
News [Thanks to Alex of The Trades Trailer
News for the pic!] . Major home computer problems (I hate Windows ME!!!) unfortunately coinciding with
a two day conference are keeping me busy so probably no updates until the weekend.
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| March 28, 2003
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VCR ALERT: Italian Job segment
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Tonight's (Friday) Entertainment Tonight will feature a look behind-the-scenes on
The Italian Job. ET Online has also posted an article on the segment:
Charlize Speaks 'Italian'
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| March 24, 2003
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Just announced Upcoming DVD releases
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25th Hour
will be coming out on DVD on May 20th and will include the following special features: two audio commentaries with Lee and screenwriter
David Benioff, the "Spike Lee: The Evolution of an American Filmmaker" and "Ground Zero - A Tribute"
featurettes, deleted scenes, and trailers. Pre-order
25th Hour. Plus
a 2 disk edition of Frida
will be released on June 10th [Thanks to Josh and Ana for the info!!]
It's only a few days before Red Dragon is released on DVD. Two different editions will come out:
the Director's Edition
a 2 disk DVD set, and the
Collector's Edition
a 1 disk DVD. The 1 disk
Collector's Edition
includes the film itself (I'm assuming) plus FBI profiler
John Douglas builds Lecter's criminal file, "Inside the Mind of A Serial Killer" hosted by John Douglas,
A look at Lecter's FBI file and case history, Anthony Hopkins discusses his most famous character,
"The Making of Red Dragon", Deleted scenes - alternate versions of scenes and extended scenes
with optional commentary, Music score commentary with composer Danny Elfman, Theatrical trailer,
Production notes. The 2 disk
Director's Edition
includes all of the features mentioned above found in the other edition as well as
Brett Ratner's video diary,The Leeds' house crime scene: experts in the field of forensic science help
the filmmakers construct a realistic crime scene, Visual effects featurette, A behind-the-scenes look
at how the burning wheelchair stunt was shot, Screen and film tests, Makeup application featurette,
Brett Ratner's untitled student film, Storyboards to final feature comparisons. It's about a
six to eight dollar difference in price between the two so pick your poison- Pre-order
Director's Edition
or
Collector's Edition.
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| March 21, 2003
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Oscar peace pin
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Even with the commencement of war, the Oscars are still going forward. Entertainment Weekly reports
that some attendees will be wearing a "distinctive peace symbol pin" including Edward Norton,
Daniel-Day Lewis, Julianne Moore, U2, Kirsten Dunst, Adrien Brody, Dustin Hoffman, Susan Sarandon, Salma Hayek,
Jim Carrey, Ben Affleck, and Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal to make an antiwar statement.
Peace Train. Why
are they still having the Oscar ceremony during the first few days of the war? Usually everyone I know
is talking about the Oscars the week before the ceremony. Nobody is talking about it, except the entertainment
reporters.
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| March 16, 2003
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EN popped up on SNL
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EN made a brief (surprise) appearance on Saturday Night Live during guest host Salma
Hayek's monologue. I'll post some pics and an audio clip hopefully soon
(after some sleep and a few Netflix DVDs). This isn't the first surprise appearance
of EN on SNL: he appeared in a spoof of VH-1's Behind the Music with guest host
Drew Barrymore (they were the Captain and Tennille) the night before the Oscars in
1999. More on the 1999 SNL skit
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| March 10, 2003
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EN's comments at NAACP Awards
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Today's Hollywood Reporter includes comments made by EN at the NAACP Awards
in his speech as one of the presenters to induct Spike Lee into the Hall of Fame.
Big
night for Washington
"There's a lot of suggestions these days that good citizenship and even
patriotism is the unequivocal support of leadership and unity, but I don't think
so. I think good citizenship is about engagement. Spike inspires me because he
is engaged in the times that he is living in, and his films insist that we get
engaged, too. And for that, Spike, I thank you."
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| March 9, 2003
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SAG Awards, NAACP Awards
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EN and best actress nominee Salma Hayek attended tonight's Screen Actors Guild Awards
which is airing (and will repeat) on TNT. EN was also present at last night's NAACP Awards
where Spike Lee was presented with a lifetime achievement award. The pictures of the
event seem to indicate that either EN presented him the award or went onstage to
congratulate him afterward. Either way, the NAACP awards will air this Thur. March 13
on FOX.
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| March 5, 2003
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Upcoming Vanity Fair cover, Looking for more
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The upcoming Vanity Fair "Hollywood Issue" features EN on the cover as one of the 13 "Kings of
Hollywood" [Thanks to Shakila for the information!]
I really don't know what to write here. Ever since the "25th Hour" press conference at Berlin, I've
quietly posted my information while I went on scanning the news stories, looking for more. More of EN's
comments on the U.S. government and Iraq. I was expecting a well-thought out analysis of the situation
because I am thoroughly convinced that EN would be able to provide one. I would welcome that kind of
anti-war statement. I'd proudly post it, in text or audio form. But it doesn't seem to exist. There's
been so much talk of backlash and possible boycotts because actors have been speaking out against war
to the point that the Screen Actors Guild has sent out a press release on the right to free speech
that included terms such as "blacklist" and a reference to the "House Committee on Un-American Activities"
of the McCarthy era. Columnists and radio hosts have also taken aim at outspoken
actors (including EN). An
actor/filmmaker/musician/dog groomer, as any American, has the right to free speech. The reality is
that too many actors have the tendency to express their beliefs so poorly in the most public forum that they
ensure that nothing they've said on the matter will be taken seriously. Too many actors try to
play on emotion or go
for the impassioned plea and try to provoke a response. We've seen it before and, most likely,
paid $7.50 to see it. It just doesn't work. Instead, they should talk about the issues point by point, educate
the public on them if necessary, and surprise all those armchair analysts that so fervently spout that
actors don't have a place in the discussion. So when I read that EN's comments in a press
conference include "I almost forgot what it's like to be proud of my government," it provokes a response. I'm
pissed. Not because he's making an anti-war statement, because I'm anti-war, but because he made a
grade C-minus anti-war statement. It was a missed opportunity. He undoubtedly has the intellect, he knew
the question was coming (how could he not), and he had the venue of the Berlin press conference
(although it's difficult to make effective political statements and plug your movie at the same time), he
should have said, "I'm glad you asked..." and just launched into it. His response instead was a very polarized
statement that would only
isolate people into one camp or the other. People who don't share his view just dismiss him and his
comments (I have their emails). Nothing gained, but possibly a lot lost. If you can reach out to someone
who doesn't share your views (or is undecided) and give them something to think about, make them
question their beliefs, isn't it worth the effort? I don't think you should speak out unless
you have something meaningful to say. Otherwise, it's just noise. I'm tired of watching people talk
at each other. If you can't help to create a dialogue between Americans, how can you expect to stop a war
overseas? As a well-respected actor, EN has a built-in audience who will listen to his views -
I think that he has the potential to be a more effective advocate of those views than
the statement he made at the press conference would indicate.
Here's the entirety of EN's comments (as reported by Reuters)
"I hope the world community will continue to voice itself and apply pressure on
the U.S. government. American citizens have to do it too. It's
dismaying to see the unilateralism that the government is doing. They're aren't
enough rational steps...It's nice being in Europe this week. Almost everyone in Germany
and France is in sync with the governments. I almost forgot what it's like to be
proud of my government."
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| February 15, 2003
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Edward Norton's views on Iraq
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Some people have strong opinions that they would like to express on EN's
views on the U.S. government's stance on Iraq. If you're bound and determined
to do so, write him a letter - don't email me.
Edward Norton
c/o Endeavor Talent Agency,LLC
9701 Wilshire Blvd. 10th Floor
Beverly Hills CA 90212
Re: Norton's Views on Iraq
I know it's easier to hit an email link and just start writing. The only problem with
that is I don't work for him and he will never get your email.
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| February 12, 2003 PM update
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Berlinale Press Conference
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EN, director Spike Lee, and co-stars Barry Pepper and Rosario Dawson were all on
hand for the 25th Hour press conference while the film was screened in competition
at the film festival. Two of the topics of conversation were the post-Sept 11 New York
in the film and the U.S. government and Iraq:
Lee Defends
Sept. 11 References in Film
and
American
Stars Slam Bush Over Iraq at Berlin Fest
[Thanks to Henry, Laura, and Elaina for the info and the picture!]
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| February 12, 2003
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Berlinale
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25th Hour will be shown today in competition at the Berlin Film Festival
along with a press conference. I believe that EN will be present but I can't state that for certain.
I've been a little out of it after a car accident so I'm trying to catch up on a few things.
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| January 25, 2003
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Red Dragon DVD info, Berlin Festival
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Universal Home Video has sent out a press release on the upcoming Red Dragon
DVD releases (2 disk director's edition as well as a single disk edition). The DVDs will be
available on April 1, 2003 (because when you think of April Fools Day, you think of
Hannibal Lecter?!).
Red Dragon DVD press release.
25th Hour will be shown in competition at the Berlin Film
Festival, which runs from February 6-16. There is no word as to whether EN will go
to the festival.
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| January 17, 2003
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KTF- the TV series?, Red Dragon DVD info
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E! Online's TV Scoop reports
that EN is serving as executive producer on a TV series based on his film Keeping the
Faith [Thanks to Laura for the info!]. If you missed EN and Spike Lee Jan 10th appearance on The Charlie
Rose Show, an audioclip is now available at Charlie Rose
Show website. Information on the upcoming RD DVD was posted on
Dark Horizons
DavisDVD reports that
Universal's Hannibal prequel will come in both a single disc "Collector's
Edition" and a two-disc "Director's Edition" when it hits home DVD in a few
months. The two-disc set will feature a 16x9 transfer, audio commentary by
director Brett Ratner and writer Ted Tally; The criminal profile of Hannibal
Lecter; renowned profiler John Douglas' theories on how Hannibal Lecter and real
serial killer are profiled; The life history of Hannibal Lecter from childhood
to present day; Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter; Deleted scenes; DVD-ROM; and
more. Disc 2 - Director Brett Ratner's video diary; A rare look at the film
production; Brett Ratner's untitled first film from NYU Film School; Screen and
film tests; The dragon tattoo; Storyboard to final feature comparisons. Thanks
to 'Patrick'.
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| January 10, 2003-PM update
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EN on Charlie Rose Show, 25th Hour opens, 2 articles
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LAST MINUTE ANNOUNCEMENT- TONIGHT's Charlie Rose Show will feature EN and Spike Lee talking about
25th Hour which opens today nationwide. There might be articles/reviews on the film in
your local newspapers and a few mentions on the entertainment news programs (ET,Access Hollywood, E! News)
tonight if you're interested. Toronto Sun has an article on EN -
Working Serious Hours plus there is
another article on 25th Hour and the decision to include a post 9/11 vision of NYC.
Spike Lee delivers a
cinematic love letter to New York
(article is published in a number of newspapers under diff titles)
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| January 8, 2002
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Washington Post interview
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Wednesday's Washington Post features an interview with EN on 25th Hour, which
expands to theaters nationwide on Friday.
On Top Of the World Weary
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