(fresh from my blog JavaJed Says...)

So here's my report from the the set of This Side of the Truth, the new Ricky Gervais movie shooting in Lowell (written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Matt Robinson, starring Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe, Louis C.K., etc. I had a little part in a scene that shot last Friday.). I had 9:00 a.m. call, which was great (6:00 a.m. calls are not fun). I had a few bites of bacon 'n' eggs 'n' home fries before I was called in to hair and makeup. I was done with all that by 10:00, but my on-set call wasn't until 11:3o. So I popped over to my trailer (the "honeywagon") and got settled in.Now, the "rider" on my contract specifies some very extravagant amenities that I require if I am to perform at my best. The most important? Two bottles of Poland Springs water and an extra tiny sink (I like to feel giant in my trailer). And fancy paper towels that I think were made from sandpaper and rusty nails. I also require a very tiny piece of foliage in my trailer. I call it a tree and feel EXTRA giant. (seriously, this was in my trailer. I don't know why.) As I said, my on-set call wasn't until 11:30. They weren't actually ready for me until 12:30. So I hung out in my trailer with some weirdo. (But seriously, I was treated great by the ADs, PAs, wardrobe, and everyone else. Especially craft services...mmm...snacks...)

So, it was time to shoot. This was a short but big scene. Over 200 extras. The other actors in the scene were great. Remember the Seinfeld episode "The Pilot" where they're shooting the TV show? With a TV versions of George, Kramer, and Elaine? One of my cohorts was Elena Wohl, who played "TV Elaine". She was great to work with. Also in the scene were Nathan Corddry (real nice guy), who you might know from "The Daily Show", Roz Ryan (she sings in her trailer), and co-director Matt Robinson had a cameo. And, of course, Ricky Gervais (very funny--check out his blog at www.rickygervais.com/thissideofthetruth.php).

Shooting went well. A bit cold, though. We got most of the shots without any problems. But then the rain came. Back to the trailer for me. And lots of waiting. And drinking coffee. And chatting. And looking for good snacks because lunch wasn't until 4:00 and we were getting hungry. But mostly a lot of sitting in my trailer, hiding from the rain, staring at the wall. Which reminds me. ALWAYS bring a book or newspaper or crossword puzzle with you when you go to a shoot. I, of course, had not planned for this. So I stared at the wall. A lot. And listened to my belly rumble.The rain let up briefly, but Jennifer Garner had just popped by, so they shot a quick scene with her. I was in my trailer at the time, but I hear she did fine without me.

Finally it was lunchtime. At 4:00 (I think they call that dinner in some places). Yummo. And more rain. And more waiting. And then they sent me home without shooting anything else. Sort of anticlimactic, I know. All in all, I had a great time, met some great people, and can't wait to do it again.

With a book. And an umbrella.

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Expectations. Movie trailers create them. Posters do, too.

So when Ricky Gervais appears in the trailer and poster for Stardust, a moviegoer can rightly conclude he plays a supporting role in the movie. But . . . you know where I'm going here.

First, about expectations: sometimes a little beforehand information about a movie can better one's appreciation of it. So, with the best of intentions I tell you: Gervais has a mere 5 minutes of screen-time in Stardust And don't hold your breath waiting for it: he comes in at the 70 minute mark. (At the Brattle Theater, on the left-hand side the screen, is a large illuminated clock - convenient for timing such trivialities. But little things do matter.)

Stardust, which opens August 10th, is a farce similar to The Princess Bride, and equally as entertaining. It has princes and princesses, of course. And witches and magic and yadda, yadda, yadda. (Not the Seinfeld sort.) And it's a fantasy with a scathing sense of humor about itself. (Michelle Pfeiffer- who is terrific as the evil witch Lamia - could easily turn to the camera and say, "It's cliche and we know it.")

I do recommend you see Stardust, and here's a good reason: Robert DeNiro is a kick in the pants as the pirate Captain Shakesphere. If he didn't have fun filming this, he is then, without question, the world's greatest actor.

Some of you might think it a bit strange that DeNiro appears in Stardust. You might say, It's not his kind of movie. But let me remind you of his turn in Brazil. Or to further justify his presence, look at it this way: Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull is the kind of role actors dream of. It's the kind of role they say they want. On the other hand, Captain Shakespeare is the kind of role actors secretly dream of. It won't land nominations. (At face value, it's more likely to be headed for the Razzies.) But damn if it isn't fun. I can hear DeNiro on the phone to his agent: "I don't care. I want this."

Nice choice, Bob.

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