From Screen to Real Life

A little Flashback Austin Friday

Back to Prayers for Bobby

 In Prayers for Bobby Austin plays the brother a young man who kills himself when he can't cope with his mother's (and family's) intolerance to his homosexuality.  Mary Griffith becomes a gay rights advocate after his death, and the story brings a strong positive message of support for the gay community.  Even though it was just 5 years ago, and so much had already changed, many actors might've passed on it. Especially if there was gossip about their own sexuality and relationships.

But not Austin.

Austin isn't one to shy away from roles that other actors might be reluctant to take.  Early in his career, he  found himself naked in Six Feet Under in a threesome with another guy, and it was a role that got him noticed for other roles.  In John from Cincinnati he played what some thought could be Jesus Christ or an alien.  In Informers  Austin played a bisexual player who slept with everyone, his friend, his friend's mom, his friend's girlfriend, his friend's girlfriend AND his friend at the same time, and end up with AIDS.  And in Ray Donovan his plays a closeted A-list action star with a penchant for transexuals.

 In Hollywood, it's usually taking real life and putting on screen,  perhaps this time doing the opposite and taking the risks from the screen to real life.

Happy Austin Friday

Mid Week Movie Break

There is nothing like slipping into a cool theater on a warm summer day and checking out the newest movies of the summer , but the same could be said for movie club too. It has been a while since we have a movie club and it's time to take a little break during the lazy days of summer and get back to a little fun.

The first question is when?



And then what to watch ?





Give us your suggestions, titles and comments. We want to know what you want to watch and discuss. Polls are open from now until 6:00 EST - Friday May 22nd and you can vote once per day. ( And TDAT? Didn't think I was going somewhere with TDAT yesterday : ) )

What do you want to watch?
What haven't you seen?
I need to check my movie journal.
He's kidding right?
Nope

And is it's been so long John but you're not forgotten. We haven't forgotten about John from Cincinnati discussion, we have just been stretching it out to savor the ten episodes we have.




The next episode for discussion Episode 5 : His Visit Day 4


Porn stars (Tina) appear from the East (The Valley) seeking the son; Everybody (or just Tina) run 'cause Cissy has a gun (in a shoebox); Cass tries to work but between the good (Butchie) the bad (Cissy) or ugly ; and our boy John spends the day with Hare Krishnas and hugging it out with masked Mexican wrestlers.

OMG's JFC Discussion

Keeping yesterday's literary Austin open and while we look at a more mystical Austin, ok his character in this one. But can you imagine John reading Ayn Rand? Or Milch 's rewrite of The Fountainehead? Holy!

Episode 4: "His Visit Day 3"






Day 3 starts with John in the empty field looking at the skeleton of the structure in Mexico, taking us back to Day 1. Is it me or does anyone else see a connection of one of the greatest films ever there?

Not getting a bone (with Kai) he gets taken for a ride - while walking he gets picked up by a van load of hoodlums. And John being John scares them and they stab him and leave him for dead along the side of the road. What did you think about that scene? Is there a significance that it happened on that day?

What about John and Vietnam Joe and John's healing? He has Joe put Joe's hand over John's heart, and this somehow draws some cosmic energy from Cass? What does that mean about Cass? Cass' vision? Her transformation from "tricking" with Mitch for Linc to finding her spirituality through John healiing. And John's transfiguration in other places? And what does Scarlett O'Hara have to do with any of this?

What do you think about Linc doing the dishes for Cissy who would do anything to get Shaun, but has a history of pimping, first Butchie surfing, and now Cass? But that's after Linc and Dr. Smith have a little interaction showing truest of intentions about Shaun and his miracle.

And Butchie and Kai? Butchie and Kai seek out John they recruit Bill's help hunting down John. Promising to put word out with his friends in the department, Bill takes control of the search, dividing Imperial Beach into quadrants. But find something else besides John or is it because of John?

What about Bill and Zippy and Bill's rant about ending his relationship with the Yost family, but Zippy has the final say, determineing he should make peace with Freddy. Bringing coffee and doughnuts Bill tells Freddy, "My bird Zippy conveyed to me, despite the obvious dissimilarities between us, we should become friends." Freddy tells him " I got a lizard back home, changes shapes." Bill nods, "Chameleon, they're called."
Mitch is back at the Yost compound. Butchie and Kai are entwined, John is preparing to make Cass see God too, then trouble shows up at the motel in a Mustang.

What bout Dr. Smith? His resignation? The Avon Lady? What about Ramon, Dickstein and Barry?

Any favorite quotes? Did Bill win for best quote for a couple of his greatest of the series? And what about that Milch swear jar, overflowing yet?

OMG's JFC Discussion

Episode 3: "His Visit: Day 2 Continued"

Shaunie comes back from the dead because Zippy. Dr. Smith is introduced to the cast,. but was his reaction what you expected from a Dr? Enemies made between Dr. Smith and Linc?

Remember its not what you say its what you do. And the beginning of a friendship between traditional enemies - Bill the former copy and Freddy the dealer? What did you think about the scene of them taking Shaun out of the hospital? And what did Kai see in her vision? What did all mean?

Case you didn't know the part about John wanting to bone Kai - don't give that one to Milch. That was all Austin.

Butchie: "Yeah, you would John, I'm beginning to see that about you. You know, you could probably even f***king bone her if you tried hard enough." John: "I'll bone her."

Austin improvised that last line during rehearsal, and Milch liked it so much he told Austin to repeat it for the cameras. At the time no one on the cast and crew how that would factor into the rest of the show.

So what do you think who is Shaunie? Do we know more about John? What's up with Barry and that room? Ramon and Dickstein making food for everyone.

Favorite lines?

Favorite moments?

And the Emmy goes to...

.... well it won't be Austin Nichols.

Not because of his performance, but the lack there of. It seems that episode, "His Visit Day 8, submitted for his performance does not have Austin in it at all. All the actors on the series were submitted with the same episode, but you'd think that they would check if the lead character of the show was actually in the episode. Could this be used for negotiations for Last of the Ninth? Hello Milch.

Then maybe the submission was a cheeky nod to an on set off screen performance.

JFC did submit a different episode in one category, for best drama submitting His Visit Day 1. The wait is on to see if how may nominations JFC picks up when the nominations are announced next month. Just don't expect Austin under Best Lead Drama.

Just another pinch of JFC. Amazing what time and new pictures can do. With the pictures from the Nicked LL ranch, the mysterious Pedro supporter can be now identified as Papa Nichols.


Picture: Austin Media

AutoNom(ad)y

Tired of mooching rides? Unsure who's gonna stop? Come on down to the Milch School of Motors and we will make Monad a nomad in a few short lessons.


Work with our seasoned driving instructors. Our instructors have experience driving at unsafe speeds and in dangerous situations, they can share their success stories with you.



Now let's get hit the road.

First hit check your mirrors. Shape Shifters included.


Look for blind spots. Or unknown plot devices that never get explained.


Hands at 10 and 2. Do not whip the skippy while driving.


Traffic? Don't worry Milch School of Driving teaches how to deal with traffic.


Stick head out of window.


Proceed to insult the driver, his driving and his mother. Refer to someone as a monkey or donkey. Sprinkle diatribe liberally with profanity and references to stick and mud, circles and lines. Hand gestures may be necessary and are strongly encouraged. Props such as glasses to let the driver know they need them or a surf board to show where to stick it. Use of iambic pentameter may be a nice touch.


You are ready to drive now!

Let me drive, I've been to the Milch School of Motors, I'm a very good driver.


Listen I know he made you Rain Man, but there is no way in hell I'm letting you drive Dylan McKay's Porsche.

See God Cass. See God.


And when all else fails , slap on the wet suit, stick out the thumb, and see who comes.

Shirts Tales Part Deaux

Think someone could be fan of John from Cincinnati?

But is it the show or the actor? ; )

Divine Intervention

One is good, two is better, three's company and four's more, than enough... or is it?

How better than to kick off the unofficial start to summer than our favorite heavenly creature. Shirtless of course.


Sometimes you need a little transcendent to lift the soul.

All about John

Taking about Austin and acting this week, led to talk about John From Cincinnati, so today two clips from JFC.

This is a scene between John and Cass and while Austin does have lot to say in, he makes the scene his own. It is all those little things that he incorporates and thinks about to his character. Having a series really gave him an opportunity to spend a lot of time and effort to develop John and have John grow as a character as much as him as an actor.



Just love the way in the longshot how he marches like a child would across the grass.

The second video is a tribute to JFC found and pictures from production that haven't seen before. Enjoy!

JFC Making a Splash at the Emmys?

Despite canceling John From Cincinnati it seems that HBO recognizes what a brilliant show that it had in hindsight. HBO has submitted JFC for Emmy consideration in the following categories for acting. No doubt they are submitting for consideration for Milch, for writing, and for the series.

"JOHN FROM CINCINNATI"
Lead Actors: Bruce Greenwood, Brian Van Holt, Austin Nichols,
Lead Actress: Rebecca De Mornay
Supporting Actresses: Keala Kennelly, Emily Rose, Chandra West
Supporting Actors: Greyson Fletcher,
Willie Garson, Luis Guzman, Ed O'Neill, Luke Perry, Matt Winston
Garrett Dillahunt, Dayton Callie, Jim Beaver, Paul Ben Victor

Handicapping the JFC group, you can see one or two that have real chance for a nomination. If Ed O'Neil is not seriously considered in the supporting actor category it would be criminal, who remembers Ed Bundy in his performance as Bill Jacks. Right off the mark, Ed came out with an amazing performance.


And the other actor? That would have to be Austin. Up until JFC we saw so little of what Austin was capable of as an actor. Working with Milch opened up a entire new level of performance for Austin. His portrayal of John a messenger not of this world was one of the most developed unique multifaceted layered performances on TV last year. From the smallest of details, expressions and characteristics he created a character that had an audience for thinking what is this? to who is this? to ultimately could it be?

Austin took a role that could make or break him as an actor and ran with it, giving a fearless performance that many would find too risky.

"David was really quiet and he was ignoring me and I finally got to call him and I wanted to ask him and talk to him about it cause I like to collaborate and get everybody, you know, get help and throw my ideas out and David was literally—literally looked at me and said “I just want you to do what you did as Morgan.” And that really confused me and I didn’t know any—and the only thing he said is “Austin, you’re the guy. You gotta be the guy. And to you, I just want you.” And so I’m thinking, does David think that I’m retarded? And it took me a long time to sort of process what he meant by those things. In the end what I just realized is that whatever I do is fine. And he gave me so much confidence in just telling me that basically I can do no wrong. I can make no mistakes. All I have to do is show up and just be there with everybody."

It was Milch's confidence in his acting and in him that let Austin create one of most memorable characters on television in recent memory. If the Motion Picture and Television Arts can not see that, it will be an even greater disappointment than the cancellation of JFC itself.

Little JFC rewind: Great interview with Austin.

JFC DVD Season 1 Today

John from Cincinnati - Season 1
Cast: Austin Nichols,Bruce Greenwood, Ed O'Neill, Rebecca de Mornay,Luke Perry

3 Disc Set - Wide Screen / Color

Product Details

* UPC: 883929007820
* Source: HBO HOME VIDEO
* Region Code: 1
* Presentation: Wide Screen
* Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
* Language: English, Français, Español
* Subtitles: English, Français, Español
* Time: 10:00:00

Milch hinted that there are special features hidden for those looking for them.

Some things I know.

They were on the set in IB, so I said, “Okay, how about acting?” An illusion agreed upon - Jake a surfer, the abstract worth of fellow water walker. Everyone agreeing and seeing how that reorganized the entire show. This is the episode in which I tried - I wanted to come back to the original idea. If God were trying to make himself known with a particular urgency because the apocalypse is coming, and if the difficulty was not with his faculty of communication but rather with our capacity to understand. Who better than Jake Gyllenhaal. Fuck it got Austin out of the G-d damn trailer.


Easter Egg alert:

Megamilchfan: Disc 3
Go to menu on Disc 3 scroll down to Day 9. Enter Up arrow, left arrow, left arrow, down arrow, down again, right arrow. You see behind the scenes on set. If you look close around 2:31 you will see a door open to a trailer in the left hand corner and see the guy who plays John and somebody who looks like Jake Gyllenhaal.

AustinsHot: Disc 3
OMG! Jake Gyllenhaal! Go to main menu pick language. Highlight French. Press right arrow twice, down arrow, and enter 3x. Takes you to a street scene. Jake is in the scene! He plays a surfer guy. He is so hot. Scruffy and tired. John can't stop staring at him.

Oh by the way .... Happy April Fool's Day.

Update: Too good not to post. This is the cover of the inside slip case for the new JFC box set.

When JFC saw US Weekly

Standing around looking at the newest US Weekly.

John to Kai: "See God, Kai."
(Pointing to the cover smiling. )

[He's a hot God, John. ]

Barry: "Avon. Wonderful."

Shaun: "The pigs have got grandma."

[Shaunie! ]

John: "Yesterday was a three-ring circus."
(Pointing again to the magazine)

Barry: "I didn't know I placed an order."

John and Kai being Jake and Reese.

Kai to John: "Touch my tits."

John: "Tits don't ring a bell."

John: "Butchie hurt my tit."

Barry: "I am looking. I am seeing … Avon in an entirely new light."

John: "I've got a cramp! I HAVE TO SELL IT!" (in a Southern drawl)

John walking away.

Kai: Maybe I'll go too. You know, that family's got enough of their own problems, but can't we do our little part to make them worse.

Kai: "Time for your 'Ballbuster Booster Shot'?"
(Picking up the magazine one more time)

John pacing and talking.

John: "Your mother has turned herself into the worst ball-buster known to man so no one would be around her, and she wouldn’t have to be afraid she’d do something like that again."

(walking back and forth)

John: The internet is big.

John: Today will be a three-ring circus.

John: It could mean a thousand years.

John: It could mean 10 minutes.

John : Do we make that up selling at shrines?

Barry, to Ramon, describing his vision: "I see a row of faces...rapt"

Ramon: "In what?"

Ready Freddy:( talking to himself): "We are on the precipice of a clusterfuck."

John: "Some things I know some things I don't"

Shaun: "I know more than I let on."

Bill: "I've got my eye on you!"

John: "No, I've got my eye on you!" (staring at the magazine again)

Butchie to John: "Radio silence 'til further notification. "

John and Linc: "Maximum right now pow boom!"

John: "Tomorrow's another day." (Picking it up again staring at the cover)

John: "If you are the end, I am near you." ( Touching the cover)