Snap On The Whiskers

Christien Anholt (credit: Steven Hyndman)

Moving on from a bona fide archaeologist to fictional one may not seem like an easy task, but we’re talking to Christien Anholt. For bloggers on the know, Christien played Nigel Bailey, the jolly jelly assistant to Sydney Fox (Tia Carrere), and all-round good guy in ‘Relic Hunter’ which ran from 1999-2002. Nigel spent most of the series falling into some kind of trap, while trying to avoid the amorous attentions of Claudia. His well-bred demeanour perfectly complimenting the hand-to-hand attitude of his boss. Happily, Christien was not in combat mode when we met in Chiswick after the matinee of ‘Dog Ends’. Instead I engaged a terribly nice, quietly spoken chap, chuffed about nostalgia working so well, and happy to discuss his new role, and the theatre scene in general. It was all about theatre for everyone by anyone, by providing a professional platform for exciting new talent. We started to compare ourselves to our peers, but there was still another show to do, and the conversation quickly moved to style. Corralling it all into one quick snap, he left with this quick observation –  ‘snap on the whiskers’. You’re looking pretty good yourself. I think the time has definitely come to revive Relic Hunter.

Romer's Egypt ...

For scientists, falling in love is a lifetime of research, solving that origin conundrum.

John Romer (pictured), is very partial to creating, processing, analysing, and preserving the history of Ancient Egypt, their survival strategies, and the often grand (and sometimes sexist) narratives of 19^th and 20^th Century pioneers and filmmakers who made it big marketing a glamorous society of gods and monsters. If you read the first volume of Romer’s ‘A History of Egypt’, you’ll quickly recognize an Egyptologist confident of finding the truth, who is refreshingly candid, and quite oblivious to any perceived ‘Howard Carter moment’. A slightly bemused Romer didn’t know what that meant when I talked to him, preferring (as he put it) ‘the reality of things’ when he began in 1966, his participation in the Epigraphic Survey of the temples and tombs of Thebes, excavating in the 1970’s, and the Theban Mapping Project. This extraordinary teatime account on the steps of UCL’s Cruciform building on Gower Street, shows what we can really learn from a man whose dedication to conservation and documentation formed the basis of a number of published works (some co-authored by his wife) that include ‘The Valley of the Kings’, ‘Ancient Lives’, ‘Testament’, and ‘The Seven Wonders of the World’.

Read More at: http://www.egyptology-uk.com/bloomsbury/

John Romer (credit: Steven Hyndman)

The Sagas’ Returns …

Scientists generally agree you have to wait 20-plus years for radiation to turn to ground muck. Disney seems to have proven them wrong by taking only ten years to clear the air after the nuclear fallout that was George Lucas’s Star Wars prequel trilogy. The mouse roared, Lucas ran, and what we were treated too was simply the best Star Wars film since 1980. But why did it take so long to sell and can Lucas suddenly reappear? We offered a substantial reward for the one who found out. The feeling intensified when it became known GL was prepping for more but it never happened. It’s one of the great escapes of our time curtesy of Bob Iger, and Disney. $4.5 billion is a lot to say goodbye. Thanks Bob, we’re doing our best to pay you back.

If you want something done write …

Writing a film is a bit like writing a joke; it’s good until you get to the punchline. Developing The Diary was a bit of a joke too with at least two writers of unequal enthusiasm having a go. Here’s a tip for anyone reading this blog, write it yourself. Unless you’re on the same wavelength (and the same page of course), it’ll go nowhere. BIG or small? It didn’t matter – ‘express elevator to development hell going down’ – and The Diary was no more until now. For the record, short films work better than big ones for obvious reasons, they’re peppy and CHEAP. Just make sure the writing and directing is 2-parts snappy and pick actors with weight – you don’t want it turning into Diary of a Shite Teen.

The Diary (film) – OPENING SOON 

In memorandum

A small tribute to a lady who inspired us with her talent and generosity, Ingrid Pitt died on Tuesday 23rd November. She was 73. Though best known for her leading roles as Marcilla/Carmilla/Mircalla Karnstein in The Vampire Lovers (1970) and as Elizabeth Báthory (Nadasdy) in Peter Sasdy’s lush Countess Dracula, she was also memorable in The House That Dripped Blood and as the Librarian in The Wicker Man (1973) directed by Robin Hardy. Tireless in her devotion to her fans, Ingrid led by example, and 'brought craft, flair and elegance to a much maligned motion picture genre'. She will be missed.

DOWN AND OUT IN CANNES - UPDATE

We were delighted to screen this amazing documentary from Kathy Hill. A hard hitting film which provoked a strong reaction from the audience. If you saw it with us then thanks for doing so and we'd love to read your feedback. Just email info@nonmultiplexcinema.com . If you didn't see it and want to know what you missed, then you can view the trailer on Youtube and Dailymotion. A portion of the money raised on the night will be given to Kathy which will then go to a charity chosen by the films two protagonists. Details on that and other news items will follow.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

One of the most highly anticipated films of the summer has (finally) arrived in the UK. Fans cried foul when Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince was delayed, and disgusted with WB's decision to postpone the film buried the studio executives in a hailstorm of hate. Why? Warner Bros blamed the writers strike, the more thoughtful (and cynical) among us suspected they were just looking to guarantee a summer hit. NO! Either way I hope it'll be more entertaining to watch than it was to make. Odds and sods were the order of the day, or rather the three days I spent holed up at Leavesden Studios masquerading as a Hogsmeade wizard or was it a villager? The poor beleaguered wardrobe department couldn't make up their minds, probably because the director had no mind to make up. A case of too many AD's spoiling the broth? We were all fitted for costume in one day which wrecked havoc with some of the actors schedules particularly those booked for 'Wolfman'. Lots of mobile phone panic and a hair-raising journey getting from the studio to Greenwich for a big crowd scene made the horror complete for some. Many more had to cancel as the schedule went sideways. Still, it was fun walking around some impressive sets while avoiding the puddles. YES - the studio roof leaks as well! I think we should all see HP6 at least twice to help with repairs.