January 10, 2011

Richard Armitage in Cold Feet + Hobbit Casting News + Newport RI Mansions + Link to Ep 1 Downton Abbey + Beautiful Disaster by aimz1012 + Capt America Director Says He Had The Best Cast Possible

RA as Lee the extremely helpful gym coach in Coldfeet...
Strike Back Ep3 Clip by TheRAFrenzy..
Following definitely one of my fav scenes - John Porter makes a promise to deliver justice
Breaking Inside by HeathDances...
Great video interview with Sean Bean about his role in Game of Thrones:

Director Joe Johnston says he had a dream cast...[well, one for certain;]

>“I had thirty weeks of prep on CAPTAIN AMERICA. I have a small team of qualified, supportive, creative producers who are actually helping me achieve my vision of the film. I had a dream cast headed by Chris Evans. I had the best designers, artists, sculptors, craftspeople…a creative team that could design, build and photograph anything and have it look amazing and beautiful…

“CAPTAIN AMERICA was probably the most universally positive experience I’ve had in this mad business.<
http://www.marvelmovienews.co.uk/2011/01/captain-america-joe-johnston-talks-about-his-filming-experience/
More casting news found at following link including the fact Andy Serkis is returning as the fascinating creature Gollum.  Confess I knew nothing about Tolkien's Middle Earth prior to RA's casting as Thorin.  Subsequently happened upon LOTR and watched for the first time - out of curiosity more than anything else.  Gollum struck me as the most unique and imaginative creature out of what seemed like legions.  Doubtful many in the audience will find his large blue eyes and rivetting voice to be the most memorable among the cast this time... 
p.s. Answer to recent poll: Thorin wears a gold chain around his neck.
Truth can be stranger than fiction dept:
WASHINGTON – The Hubble Space Telescope got its first peek at a mysterious giant green blob in outer space and found that it's strangely alive.
The bizarre glowing blob is giving birth to new stars, some only a couple million years old, in remote areas of the universe where stars don't normally form.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110110/ap_on_sc/us_sci_space_blob
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Hmmm, what's up with Keanu Reeves and the shallow, nonsensical people in the entertainment media?  Why are they ridiculing him for growing out his hair & beard?  Did it ever dawn on them he might be preparing for an upcoming role of some sort?  IMO, the new look is downright hot on Keanu. The reporter's comment on the photo below also insinuates the actor is a closet heavy imbiber because there's wine in his glass while a water bottle sits along side.  The reporter's pea-sized brain no doubt cannot imagine why anyone would ask for a glass of wine and also a decanter of water.  All actors watch their calories, obviously Keanu is doing so as well.  Following pic is from one of their silly websites.
Look how warmly he's reacting to a young fan who's asking The Matrix star for an autograph.
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Promise of a Man by The Phylly3...
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The first ep of Downton Abbey(link below) triggered a pleasant flood of memories from a vacation at least 15yrs ago to Newport, RI.  There, in late C19,  before anti-trust laws were enacted the Vanderbilts, Astors, etc built what they referred to as their summer cottages.  These extremely wealthy merchant families lived during the Winter months usually in NYC, but once the sultry heat of summer set in they adjourned to their Newport beach houses *cough* :) where their summer social season commenced.

Fondest memory of the trip always leaves me laughing uncontrollably.  You see, we arrived in Newport quite late in the day - about 4:30pm and only one place was still conducting tours.  It was the Astor's Beechwood - I wasted no time getting in line so as not to miss it.  Hubby, our 2 children and their grandmother were not at all interested in seeing the house, so they told me to enjoy and assured me the wait would not be a problem.  I scurried along to the handsome entrance.

We were taken up a marble staircase and given details of the gorgeous, huge oil paintings along the stairs and in hallways.  After our tourguide finished describing the most stunning appointments of the house, we followed her down to the first floor ballroom.  It is huge with glistening hardwood floors, magnificent chandeliers and windows flanking the garden side of the room from floor to the very high ceiling.  I could see the blue ocean beyond the panoramic back lawn area.

Suddenly the sound of light-hearted giggling came wafting through the veranda screen doors accompanied by the muffled sound of adult conversation.  I immediately started to sidle away from the tour group toward the doors, in order to peek and see if possibly the current mansion owners might be enjoying an early dinner out there.  First glimpse and I burst into laughter, for much to my surprise, there comfortably rocking away on the long porch were hubby and his mother - while our children did cartwheels down the plushly carpeted lawn toward the sea.  haha  One of those precious memories never to be forgotten. :)
Here are links to details and photos of the historic mansions of Newport, Rhode Island
The one I'd toured - the Astor's Beechwood:
http://architecture.about.com/od/houses/ig/American-Mansions/Astors--Beechwood-Mansion.htm
http://www.symbolphoto.com/blog/2010/07/newport-rhode-island-mansion-wedding/
http://www.morins.com/venues/story/astors-beechwood-mansion
Of all the photos, this is the one IMO that represents the loveliness of the sumptuous architecture to be found in the above historic houses.  It's a room in Beechwood decked out for the Christmas season...
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For those who missed Ep 1, Downton Abbey it's available to watch online...
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How fortuitous is this event, in order to enable helpful New Zealanders to recognize a 6'2" dwarf when they see him?;)  http://www.richardarmitagenet.com/ reports that Robin Hood, series I will soon be showing in NZ. 

11 comments:

Larua said...

That "Green Blob" looks like something you'd find on a ride at Disney! Too cool!!

Ricrar said...

Isn't it weird, Laura, and giving birth to new stars. Reads like a Star Trek episode, doesn't it. Someone on twitter asked Lucas North's friend Barry the Goblin if it was him:) Had to follow Barry after that.

Meadow Walk said...

What the reporters don't know is that bottle is actually full of VODKA.

Go Keanu!

He is awesome. Love his movies. Look how sweet he is to the fan. Aw.

Ricrar said...

haha Meadow Walk, Good one!

Yes, I find Keanu to have something in common with RA - they both wear celebrity with uncommon grace. Oh yes - also in common -- both are fine actors(albeit Richard has more gravitas) and gorgeous to behold.

*double thud..thud* We'd need 2 drool buckets if these hot gentlemen ever teamed up in a movie:)

Nat at RA FanBlog said...

Ricrar,
If you'd like to participate in the 2nd annual fanstRAvaganza with a bunch of us RA bloggers, please email me at armitageblog@yahoo.com.
We're planning to do it in March again and starting to claim topics and stuff via an email group. Let me know!
~Nat

Ricrar said...

Sincere thx for the thoughtful invitation Nat, but I'm already spending too much time focused on our fav actor.

Admit I'm tempted, but DH might start to feel neglected if anymore of my time is consumed online. You see, besides this blog, I've also been moderating a political forum with over 100 members for the past few yrs. Have to employ some discipline, in order to make sure there's plenty of quality time available, for my main squeeze and children:) Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the link for Downtown Abbey but it seems you can't watch it outside UK..oh well *sigh*

I just hate those magazine, they feature actor/actresses and just look for the 5th leg of the cat :S

It's a shame you can't participate in fanstRAvaganza, maybe next year.

OML :)

Ricrar said...

Hey there OML, The PBS website is US...sorry, thought we permitted international access. Booo! ;)

PBS is gov funded, although that status could be in danger if they don't become more politically balanced and stop promoting highly debatable issues as if they were already proven scientific fact or eternal truths.

You could read the discussion between RA fans on twitter during and after upcoming Downton episodes. Sun evening (9PM on US east coast)...unless you're already asleep in Spain by that time. zzzzzzzz dreaming about your fav actor;)

Sue said...

RiCrAr,

Funny you should upload the piccy of Richard playing Lee in Cold Feet (where he played the gym/swimming instructor). One of my New Year's resolutions is to start going to the gym, and it crossed my mind whether there would be any fit men like Lee around (not very likely but I live in hope!). I've committed myself to Zumba classes, God help me! As if I don't get enough exercise digging and lopping down trees I have to go and join a gym! I must be mad!I remember a fan ages ago posting a message saying that they had seen Richard outside a gym in Dulwich, talking on his mobile. Lucky devil!I suppose gyms in New Zealand will be getting the benefit of his pecs from now on! Meowwwww!!!!!!!

Ricrar said...

haha..Sue, something tells me gym membership will shortly skyrocket in NZ:)

I'm about to add another Coldfeet pic of scamp Lee - he's assisting one of the members. Wishing you best of luck at your gym..report back with all the details if a member has bulging biceps a la Lee;)

Nat at RA FanBlog said...

Ricrar, if you change your mind, let me or Servetus know. In the mean time, good luck with your busy schedule. :) ~Nat