I took film and my friend took these digitals. The film was damaged!

So, here's all I've got from his Tribeca Film Festival premier of "Love the Beast".

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's what happened: I had tickets with a friend to see the NYC premier of "Love the Beast" last night which was held at a cinema (not an auditorium) in Chelsea. We were seated before he arrived, so I didn't get pics of him entering or doing "press". The theater was not packed but most of the seats were filled. We sat in the third row.

Before the movie began, THE BANA addressed the audience, thanking us for being there and telling us how much it meant to him to show his movie at the Tribeca Film Festival. He was lovely. He was wearing a jacket, t-shirt, and jeans.

Neither my friend nor I know anything about cars or racing and both of us were impressed with the film. The "vehicle" that moves the story forward is the Ford Falcon but the movie is really about the relationships that were formed, and are maintained, through his enthusiasm for that car and for cars in general. It was a very human story and well paced. I was never bored. Lots of nice footage of Tasmania, too! At times you feel that you are speeding along in the car from the way the footage is filmed.

After the movie concluded (it's only 90 minutes), THE BANA came back out and fielded questions from the audience. I asked him something and he was delightful with his answer; he didn't make me feel stupid at all. My friend asked him whether or not the soundtrack is available for sale, but instead of answering he introduced the musical composer who was present, and his friends who collaborated on the movie who were also with him, and forgot to reply. *smile*

Later in the Q&A, he said, "Let's let the ladies ask some more questions." All the guys wanted to chat about motorsports with him, the women asked about the film itself. Ha!

Both my friend and I took pictures that I will post here. Since my friend's camera is digital I may get those today, my pictures have to be developed and will take some time. Please keep in mind that we were in a darkly lit theater and about 30 feet from him so they won't be that good. But still, they will be pics you've never seen before, that's something, right?

I did not get an autograph because he didn't sign any. The Festival organizers took him out a side door so there was no mingling.

There you have it! That was my experience seeing "Love the Beast" and asking THE BANA a question! He was charming, articulate, and funny. The movie was interesting and well paced. Overall it was a lovely evening!

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

=D

Last night Eric was interviewed at an event organized by the Tribeca Film Festival. It was held in a public venue at the Apple SoHo store in which there is a small stage and auditorium seating where electronics are demonstrated. There were about 200 people there but the small space was packed.

He looked AMAZING in person! He was wearing a dark plum colored shirt, black jeans, and large WHITE sneakers! The moderator asked him prepared questions for half an hour and we saw clips from the film (to be premiered today). Then, questions were solicited from the audience. I didn't ask any questions (too nervous), but the other attendees asked fairly insightful questions of him. He was articulate and, at times, funny.

Such as, what type of film will he produce next? He said he wouldn't produce anything he didn't write or cowrite himself, and that he isn't considering doing that right now.

Also, did converting his hobby to a job dilute his enjoyment of it? He said, actually yes. He hasn't done any work on restoring his car while working on the film but intends to do so when the junket is over (and after a break).

Will be be on "Top Gear"? He said that he does own Jeremy Clarkson a favor and will have to honor that obligation at some point, when scheduling permits.

What are his goals for this film? He said that he expects to show it at small independent festivals but has no distribution in the US. The moderator suggested he contact an executive at HBO who has an interest in documentary films. He just said, "OK, thanks, mate." (Maybe it will get aired on tv?)

When the hour was up, and he left the stage, I went outside to wait by the side door near the "getaway cars". Only about 15 people waited, but the Tribeca Film Festival organizers were strict about not letting people ask for autographs or pictures. They said, "No autographs!" "No pictures!" as they escorted him from the building, so that he didn't have to decline any requests but I took two anyway (from a respectful distance).

Tonight I have tickets for the premier of "Love the Beast" (Eric said the title is NOT a double entendre) and hope to get an autograph or picture there.

Wish me luck! :D

IT WAS a film premiere, captain, but not as we know it. More than 1500 people filled the Concert Hall at the Sydney Opera House last night for the world premiere of Star Trek, a month before the film's Australian cinema release.

Invited media may have been under a strict embargo from the production company Paramount Pictures - which has banned reviews of the film before April 21 to protect ticket sales for the film's release on May 7 - but that is not expected to deter the hundreds of fans, who paid $100 a ticket to attend the premiere and are expected to post their verdicts on websites and blogs today.

One fan, Aurelia Cimino, 49, who had flown to Sydney from Melbourne with a group from the Austrek club,said fanclub ticket-holders had permission to publish opinions about the film but not plot spoilers. "I think people will start posting straight away," Mr Cimino said.

Eric Bana, one of the film's stars, was unconcerned about the internet chatter - "I don't read that stuff" - including Paramount's controversial choice to hold the premiere in Australia. In Sydney yesterday with the director, J.J. Abrams, and the co-stars Zachary Quinto and Chris Pyne, Bana said he signed up to the prequel because "it was a fantastic script".

"I liked the character. I thought: 'I can do something with this guy?"' Bana said of playing the film's baddie, the Romulan leader Nero.

The 15th Star Trek film is Bana's first villain role since playing the real-life criminal Chopper Read in Chopper.

While Bana's heavily tattooed Nero would not look out of place in a rebel motorcycle gang, he said working on Star Trek was more akin to working on the 1980s comedy sketch show Full Frontal.

"What came into [Star Trek] was my time on Full Frontal. We used to spend a lot of time in prosthetics, playing with make-up … so it was like stepping back in time … I wanted to go for a walk down to the shopping centre as Nero."

If Eric is going to be there, I will be there!

YAY!

Eric's team finished the Mount Panorama 12-hour race in 10th place. Not too shabby, eh?

Congrats to The Bana!

;D


I can hardly wait for "Love the Beast" and "Funny People"! His own voice is soooo hawt!

There's a rich tradition of Hollywood actors dabbling in motor sports. Great names like Steve McQueen and the late Paul Newman instantly come to mind, but Aussie Eric Bana is working up a reputation of his own. The star has been campaigning his Porsche 996 Cup at various events, and is now gearing up to compete at one of Australia's biggest motor races: the WPS Bathurst 12 Hour.

The endurance race at Mount Panorama will feature a record 49 teams this year, driving Alfas, BMWs, Fords, Holdens, Hondas, Mazdas, Mitsubishis, Nissans, Porsches, Subarus and Toyotas – 12 marques in all, representing eight of the ten top-selling automakers in Australia. Pictured above with his much loved Ford Falcon Bana will be driving a Mitsubishi Evolution X in the race, competing with his team mates against V8 Supercar and Australian rally drivers.

courtesy of Bodyboarders Surf Co.

and there will be more Bana movies to swoon over:

Time Travelers' Wife
StarTrek
Funny People
Factor X

ahhhh!  I can hardly wait!

Me likey Eric! 

Can you believe how chamelon-like he is?  He did reshoots for "Romulus, My Father" concurrent with filming reshoots for "Lucky You" but in each film he looked totally different.

He is WOW!

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ne5Lb2SiFHg/SM5t6ZduOuI/AAAAAAAAQWM/1Z7uOKcBpao/s1600-h/mcadams+bana.jpg


from Just jared.

Look where Rachel McAdams' hand is!  LOOK!