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

Secret Agent Service Man

Parkland opens tomorrow in the US, and to celebrate how about a peek at that Tall Texan in action.

 Oh yeah.....

Looking every bit the upstanding Secret Service agent on duty.

But then again Austin works in every decade.

 

 

 

Thanks to Prairie Girl for the fab photo find of Secret Service Agent Nichols.

Girlfriend's a Boyfriend

Back in the beginning of Austin's stint on OTH, he joined friend Hilarie on her project from Southern Gothic the short The True-Love Tale of Boyfriend & Girlfriend.

Austin well he was name Girlfriend....  and grrrrl..... he is one great Girlfriend

Sweet,  quirky and out of the box, it fit Austin perfectly

 While his newest role of Tommy isn't that, it does have that twist to it that Austin sees to gravitate towards.

And thank goodness for that.

April Showers bring .....

Not only May flowers but a lot more Austin.

Some big things this month for Austin.

There's Informers (premiere April 11th and opening April 24th)







there's a birthday - does 29 mean the same thing to guys?
And how do you celebrate this one?

there's Lincoln (check out a little more about Pedestrian and Lincoln)







and if Hil's hints on Southern Gothic are what they seem maybe he will be her co-star in their little love story short that has a fake moustache, a gator, name tags, sparklers, a rat, tuba, a jack knife, a sword, a cherry pie, a note, lipstick and a dollhouse. So if she's playing the BF then.....

Will the gator and the rat get name tags too? And why do I keep hearing Poison in my head? And seeing Twin Peaks? Agent Cooper, cherry pie , Log Lady, Lincoln ... Lincoln logs

and of course book club
by now he's got finished The Fountainhead and onto the next, maybe he's reading their next pick The Pillowman a 2003 play by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh. How about Walker Percy's The Moviegoer - a little Southern existentialism, if he hasn't read it already.

There have been great pictures of Austin lately and thanks to Spooky and Vesperlynd over at Austin Nichols Journal who keep finding new ones.

The shirt reminds you of anything?



Maybe some dejavu?


???? Fingers crossed for May?

And for the mini OMG get together in DC a picture from the backside of the U.S. Capitol in spring from the Special K cam.

We're asking hope you're telling

The beginning of the year everyone starts out organized, keeping organized well... for some oh yeah... for others.... don't ask.

But Day 3 of the year there's still a chance. So whip out your planner (and for some you back up planner) and OMG's got some organizing for January to do.

January 5- Bad boy Julian is back on OTH
What is that boy up to?


January 11 - Jake gets his gold on at the Golden Globes as a Presenter
Will there be more baskets involved?



January 22 - Informers Premieres at Sundance with two additional showings
But everyone else has to wait until May to see it.



January 26 - Prayers for Bobby debuts on Lifetime Television
Austin as big brother Eddie.






After taking a break for the holidays - the questions are OMG movie club and JFC discussions.



Second - If you want movie club - what kind of movie for January?



Polls will be open until Monday morning at 6:00am. You can vote once a day so come back and vote again.

Would people be interesting in a music chat once a month? Maybe talk about what they are listening to, what they like?

No more just a lone star

"For Texas-bred Austin Nichols the I'm-gonna-be-in-pictures moment arrived his senior year of high school, when he crashed a party at Sundance while visiting relatives in Park City, Utah. 'A woman in the corner kept looking at me, which was sort of awkward,' saysthe 24-year-old, whose snarled smile and cut-from-stonecheekbones had caught the eye of a prominent manager. "Six months later I was enrolled at USC and going on auditions.' "
- Vogue, September 2004

10 years later Austin returns to Sundance as part of the ensemble cast that is getting major buzz for The Informers. With Mickey Rourke hot in the running to be nominated for an Academy Award for The Wrestler, Billy Bob Thorton, Kim Bassinger and a return of Winona Ryder, The Informers is throwing a constellation of star power for Sundance. The buzz is already starting f and best bet is that the it won't be a buzz but a roar by the time the movie premieres in January.

Can we hope for some great new pictures from the Sundance photo shoots? Fingers crossed. And wanna bet there's gonna be a few interviews too.

And if Sundance is the North American premiere - could Cannes be the next premiere for it? And isn't there another movie that got the bump to premiere Cannes. Brothers, perhaps?

The stars are getting really bright for this Texan


Differences Then and Now:

Then : Snuck into parties
Now: Sneaking out of parties ???

Then: One woman in the corner looking at him
Now: Everyone looking at him

Then: No swag
Now: Swagged a plenty

Then: Was a high school kid
Now: Playing a kid not too far out of high school

Then: Went for the snow skiing
Now: Snow skiing , when is there time to ski?

Then: Only Austin Nichols known was a Bourbon
Now: 30 Projects later- Austin Nichols, actor is gaining quicker than liquor

Then: High school kid with big dreams of being a great actor.
Now: Guy who has grown into that great actor.

Some big chances in 10 years - makes you wonder what else has happened since then. ; )





Funny how the circle goes - getting discovered there, playing a character who takes his movie to there and now going back to Sundance - not a fan, not as a character but as actor in a movie premiering there.

Julian on his way to Sundance - you know there something about this look I like. Maybe it's that JG Hook sweater.

Variety

Salt Lake City Tribune

Sundance Film Festival

Blogging Sundance

Ifilm - Sundance


OMG Season of Sharing

Art for Refugees in Transition

39 million people around the world are refugees or internally displaced. More than 40 percent of refugees are children. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2007.

A.R.T. provides curriculum and training programs to engage both children and adults in refugee communities in visual, performing and creative arts drawn from their own cultures. These activities provide local and international relief institutions with tools to help refugee communities recover from the trauma, terror and dislocation of war.

A.R.T - is not only looking for monetary contributions, but also donate airline miles, volunteer services and those who can provide printing.

Triple AAA Monday

A little catching up for a Monday.

Staying informed on Informers.Sony has secured a deal with Senator Films for the video distribution and TV rights for Senators films, the first being Informers. Variety is saying that Informers will be released in the first quarter of 2009, but did say it could get moved - now Spout blog says Informers will be released in May. Think there is a lot working off of what happens with Mickey Rourke and his incredible performance in The Wrestler and what happens in awards season . Senator will want to use that good buzz to help bring in more interest for Informers.

But sooner is better than later...

Check out Austin tonight in all hipster glory working his mojo on both Peyton and Brooke? And who knows what will happen with Lucas now that he knows Julian and Peyton were once in love in Episode 6.10 "Even Fairy Tale Characters Would Be Jealous". Let's see how many more people say he looks like Shane West after this episode. One great thing Austin gets more fans each episode he's on.
Next week Austin will get to go back in vintage time for the episode on One Tree Hill, back to the 1940's with a film noir feel and getting to play a henchmen.

This week more Austin goodness - with OMG's JFC Discussion starting Friday evening November 14th at 5:00 EST and through Saturday November 15th. We are looking at Episode 3 - His Visit: Day Two Continued. Shaun's condition is much improved; John makes Kai see God; Barry sings a Debby Boone song; Cass gives Mitch a lift; Butchie has a bad hair day; Dr. Smith believes in miracles.

Continuing discussing discussions. We have a our Movie Club movie choice for November.

Shelter - "Forced to give up his dreams of art school, Zach spends his days working a dead-end job and helping his needy sister care for her son. In his free time he surfs, draws and hangs out with his best friend, Gabe, who lives on the wealthy side of town. When Gabe's older brother, Shaun, returns home, he is drawn to Zach's selflessness and talent. Zach falls in love with Shaun while struggling to reconcile his own desires with the needs of his family." (from IMBD)

Join us Friday night November 21st - Saturday November 22nd for Movie Club.


And most importantly. A reminder that this week, there will be opportunities to voice your opinion about the passing of California's Prop 8, scheduled for all over the U.S. on November 15th. Everyone falls in love, why can't everyone marry? Check here for more information and locations. Speak up and Speak out.

Join the Impact

Photos: Austin Nichols Journal, HBO, CW

Movie Magic, Mystery and Madness

The Magic

Not only do we get pictures of Austin, but Jake resurfaces at Pinewood Studios. On the same day. As Doug Henning would say -- "Magic!"

With the make up and dye hair, you get can really see Jake as the Prince of Persia. He needs the winter coat because it it looks like Dastan's shirt is built for the desert heat. At first glance it looks like Jake is wearing a shortie robe with pants, doesn't it? He better keep his eye on those boots because Austin maybe eying them. This isn't the first time Jake's gone dark (haired) for a movie. What do you think? And it looks like he is getting into the long hair thing. Guess he and Austin are doing the long and short of it aren't they?




New pictures at IHJ -Thanks PicPic


Jake's twist on a Black and Tan.


The Mystery

Informers was supposed to be screeened at Sitges Film Festival. It was an Official Fantastic Section Out of Competition selection, but looking at the schedule for each day it looks like its not there. Could be losing the vampires, made Informers lose out of being at Sitges? Can you help solved this mystery?

Check it out and let us know what you think is going.

Sitges Film Festival

An for some incentive another new picture of Austin in action

The Madness

That would be our Movie Club. Pick your choice for this month's movie club. Remember 1 vote person per day, and we will leave the poll open today and tomorrow.

Mister Informed

The things you can find on MySpace, friends, friends of friends, blogs, rants, things you shouldn't know but glad you do, who's dating who, and Lindsay Lohan looking for dixie cups ice cream treats with Sam.

And you can find the 80's too. The 80's form found today was that of Informers who is a 26 year old male living in LA, who status is swinger (is there a better word? can't you just say all comers welcomed and cover all your bases) - is a Libra.

But what if you combine MySpace, The Dating Game, ( if the Governor of California can. Why not?) and 80's?

You get :

"He's a Libra, he's a swinger and he's from LA. Welcome Informers" (cue Dating Game music now - and for some of you it's already playing in your head)

.... Wait that covers a lot of guys in LA.

"So Informers what else can you tell us about yourself."

"I like living fast and being a world traveler."

Informers started filming the movie October 12th 2007, in LA, wrapping in December 6th, filming in Buenos Aires and Uruguay, and is premiering October 8th, at the Sitges Film Festival in Sitges Spain.

Where else would a morally corrupt twenty something play but LA, Buenos Aires, and Punta del Este, Uruguay, an upscale vacation spot, and Sitges, "the San Tropez of Spain".

From Informers profile of looks like he'll fit in at the very gay friendly small Spanish city.

"If you were a tree what kind of tree would you be?"

" I don't know, guess a willow, cause I go either way and have shallow roots. But this time I had cut out some of the deadwood out of my life."

Vampires and zombies are no longer a part of Informers back story, gone vanished, wiped clean, never happened. How Hollywood of him.

"But it sounds like you do have some friends."

" Yeah, good friends, Billy Bob, Kim, Amber, Mickey, Austin, Gregor and Winona. Winona woo! Sadly though, I've lost some friends along the way too."

Was the last one with Brad Renfro, before he passed away too soon and unfortunately because of an overdose.

"What about the ladies in your life?"

"Well I lost out hooking up with an Olsen but still came out aHead"

Ashley was to play Kim Bassinger's step daughter before dropping out with the part going to Amber Head. Of course it had nothing to do having a steamy scene with her former co-star from Holiday in the Sun.... who is that again?
Naughty Mr. Nichols. Seems his character is doing an 80's very special episode of All in the Family.

"What's your motto? What says Informers?"

"My Motto?" "Greed is good. Sex is easy. Youth is forever."

Welcome to Informers.


Sitges Film Festival

Informers MySpace

Hola! the next Ciao?

It was announced yesterday that The Informers will be screened at The Sitges Film Fesitval, in Sitges, Spain October 2-12, 2008, which is a little earlier than the October 30th date in Germany. No official word on it US premiere. The Informers is included in the "out-of-competition Oficial Fantàstic Selection". No confirmed date on what day of the festival it will be presented.

Will Austin go Eurotripping again for The Informers and put some of his Spanish into practice? Could he pick up a little Catalan as well? You know there's always more swears to pick up and pass on.

The theme is year at Sitges is Science Fiction and Everyday Horror. It will be honoring the 40th Anniversary of 2001: A Space Odyssey.
"The Festival will offer a reflective retrospective on the role of science fiction in the history of contemporary cinema, with outstanding movies like Planet of the Apes, Forbidden Planet, Logan’s Run, Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind, among others. For many moviegoers it will be an excellent opportunity to see the best copies available of these films for the first time on the big screen. Sitges 08’s EUROPA IMAGINÀRIA will also revolve around the best European science fiction cinema with movies like Barbarella, Solaris and The Man Who Fell to Earth.

In addition, through a series of screenings and debates, the Festival will be paying tribute to the 75th anniversary of King Kong, the Festival’s image. We will be able to enjoy the remastered copy of King Kong from 1933 and also the documentary produced by Peter Jackson shooting of the original movie RKO Production 601: The Making of ‘Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World’. "

Now that all vampire storyline has been cut from Informers not sure how it will fit the theme of the festival but 80's fashion and hair might be argued as everyday horror. One thing definitely buzzing about Informers is how good the soundtrack is, and looking back to Less than Zero, you have an idea where Ellis wanted to take it.

If Austin does do Europe this fall, wonder where's next on the itinerary? Let's see Spain is close to?



A little info on Sitges, Spain, 35 K down the coast from Barcelona. Sitges is a beautiful coastal village that is known for it beautiful beaches, scenery, good weather and
great nightlife, and is describe the by The Advocate as "Provincetown Plus".

Sitges Festival Info
Sitges Film Festival - MySpace