Today, June 10, 2020, would have been the 98th birthday of Hollywood star Judy Garland. Read on to find out more about her legendary career and troubled personal life.
(more…)Category: Film
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What Is DiscussingFilm? How Did It Get Started? Who Is Involved?
If you are a follower of online Entertainment journalism, then you are undoubtedly familiar with DiscussingFilm.
The site was founded in 2016 by the now-Editor In Chief Jacob Fisher and two co-founders, Elijah and Kirtan. Since then, DiscussingFilm has evolved into a major news source, covering events such as San Diego Comic Con 2019.
Their wide variety of content includes articles on Film, TV and Comic Book. There are also interviews with names including The Flash showrunner Eric Wallace, screenwriter Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and actress Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galatica, 24).
DiscussingFilm also maintains an active social media presence on Twitter, regularly posing film or television related questions to their followers, to keep them engaged with the content.
Courtesy of: @DiscussingFilm (Twitter) Some of the team members of DiscussingFilm have also built up their own reputation and following outside of their contributions to the site.
Notably, writer Alex Page and Films Editor Ben Rolph are both prominent YouTubers specialising in television based on DC Comics. Page is better known in this medium as “Pagey” while Rolph is “TheDCTVshow”.
In the case of both, many of their videos focus on The CW’s Arrowverse franchise that encompasses Arrow (2012-2020), The Flash (2014 – present), Supergirl (2015 – present), Legends of Tomorrow (2016 – present) and Batwoman (2019- present).
Courtesy of: Pagey (YouTube) Courtesy of: TheDCTVshow (YouTube) Additionally, the team also includes Creative Director Courtney Le, Features Editor Mima Mendoza, Designer Joe Aranda, Comics Editor Ariel K. and Video Editor Chris St. Lawrence.
Other writers for DiscussingFilm are Yasmin Kandil, Frankie Gilmore, David Luteijn, Jeremiah Monaghan, Dakota Wheeler, Michael Slavin, Yousif K. and Eric Thomas.
Courtesy of: DiscussingFilm (Twitter) As mentioned, DiscussingFilm is on Twitter @DiscussingFilm. Meanwhile, Editor In Chief Jacob Fisher can be found under the handle @CinematicBanter.
The social media profiles of the other DiscussingFilm team members can be found on the DF website.
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The Battle Of Hogwarts: In Memoriam
On May 2 in fictional history, a major event occurred in the Harry Potter universe. As of writing in 2020, it has been twenty-two years.
This was the Battle of Hogwarts, which served as both the culmination to Harry’s omnipresent battle against Lord Voldemort as well as the finale to the series as a whole.
In this battle, a great number of witches and wizards on both sides lost their lives.
While it would be impossible without JK Rowling’s help to name all of them, there were a few who had a big role in Harry Potter.
Raise your wands for those lost.
Colin Creevey
Sixth year Colin Creevey, a muggle-born Gryffindor, was one of many fatalities in the Battle of Hogwarts.
One year below Harry Potter, Colin joined Dumbledore’s Army in his fourth year and became a loyal member, sneaking back to battle after previously being turned away because of his age.
Colin’s body was later recovered by Neville Longbottom and Oliver Wood. His killer remains unidentified.
Lavender Brown
Lavender, a seventh-year Gryffindor and classmate to Harry Potter, was mauled by the werewolf Fenrir Greyback during the Battle of Hogwarts.
An ex-girlfriend of Ron Weasley, she shared a dormitory with his future wife Hermione Granger for the six years that the latter attended Hogwarts.
Her best friend was Parvati Patil and favourite teacher was Sybill Trelawney, both of whom survived.
Crabbe/Goyle
Depending on whether you read the Deathly Hallows book or watched Deathly Hallows Part 2, your knowledge of this slot may differ.
While Crabbe died in the book, it was Goyle who perished in the 2011 final film in the eight-part series.
Although neither were very bright and tried to kill the main characters, both were part of the stories since Philosopher’s Stone, the very beginning.
Either way, Draco Malfoy lost one of his longtime henchmen.
Nagini
Known to many as Lord Voldemort’s loyal pet snake. However, Nagini was once a human woman with an affliction (Maledictus) that cursed her to transform into a snake.
Considering she appeared in Crimes Of Grindelwald which takes place in 1927 and the fact that the Battle of Hogwarts is set in 1998, Nagini lives for more than seven decades after the events of the prequel series.
Her long and tortured life came to an end when Neville Longbottom, in his act of heroic glory, slayed Nagini as she was a Horcrux.
Nymphadora Tonks
Wife to Remus John Lupin and mother to newborn Teddy Lupin, Auror Nymphadora Tonks met her end in the Battle of Hogwarts at the hands of her own aunt, Bellatrix Lestrange.
Due to both her profession and membership in the Order of the Phoenix, Tonks was no stranger to putting her life on the line for an honourable cause.
It is a shame that despite Tonks’ heroic actions, her son will grow up without a mother.
Bellatrix Lestrange
Deranged Death Eater, fanatical follower of Lord Voldemort and murderer of beloved characters (Sirius Black, Dobby, Tonks), Bellatrix Lestrange’s reign of terror came to an eventful close during the Battle of Hogwarts.
In what can be seen as an unlikely defeat, Bellatrix was bested in battle by Molly Weasley, who showed she was much more than just a housewife and mother.
With her death, the countless people whom she killed as well as those whose lives were ruined by her actions, now have justice.
Fred Weasley
Inseparable from his twin brother George. Fred Weasley, at twenty years of age, fought and died in the Battle of Hogwarts. His other siblings are Bill, Charlie, Percy (with whom he’d reconciled with during the Battle), Ron and Ginny.
Fred was also the future brother-in-law to Harry Potter and Hermione Granger through their marriages to his siblings, though he did not live to see this.
As one of the main sources of comic reliefs in Harry Potter, breaking up the twins permanently was one of the most devastating losses in the Battle of Hogwarts.
Remus Lupin
Werewolf. Marauder. Husband. Father. Former Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts. Remus Lupin was all of these things and more.
A close friend/mentor to Harry Potter, Remus fought alongside his late friends’ son on multiple occasions including at the Department of Mysteries.
Remus’ death sadly leaves Edward ‘Teddy’ Lupin an orphan. However, the boy has Harry Potter watching over him, so he will probably be fine.
Lord Voldemort
Not only did Lord Voldemort die in the Battle of Hogwarts – the last remnants of Tom Marvolo Riddle were destroyed alongside him.
For the previous seventeen years, he had been facing downfall after downfall at the hands of a powerful young man, Harry Potter.
In the end, his quest to kill The Boy Who Lived ultimately failed, with Voldemort’s long life filled with evil came to a dramatic end.
Severus Snape
Perhaps the most complicated character in the entire Harry Potter series, Snape was murdered by Lord Voldemort for control of the Elder Wand, before the final battle between the Dark Lord and Harry Potter.
As revealed in Deathly Hallows, Snape had a long, passionate love for Lily Evans, Harry Potter’s mother, which he retained even in his dying moments.
While Snape was no saint – he was also not as evil or heartless as you may have once believed him to be. He loved someone who didn’t (or couldn’t) love him back.
Of course, we lost Alan Rickman, the actor who played Snape in all eight films, to cancer in 2016. Rest in peace to Rickman most importantly, as the only real person on this list.
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Hermione Granger: How She Was Important To The Trio
Along with Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley, Hermione Jean Granger is one of three main characters in the Harry Potter series.
She was played by Emma Watson in all eight films, growing from an 11-year-old Muggle-born first year to a young woman and powerful witch.
Hermione is the favourite character of both author JK Rowling and screenwriter Steve Kloves, who scripted seven of the movies.
One of Hermione’s most defining traits is her intelligence. From very early on, it is clear that she excels when compared to her classmates by quite a mile.
In fact, this intelligence almost led to her being Sorted into Ravenclaw, the Hogwarts House which values this quality.
When she was younger, this intelligence came across as being stuck-up or bossy, which often rubbed people the wrong way. Thus, Hermione found it difficult to make friends.
Although introduced almost immediately after Harry boards the Hogwarts Express for the first time, she enters his life as a friend much later compared to Ron.
As ardent Potter fans will remember, the two boys befriended Hermione after they survived a troll attack together.
From then on, Hermione’s intelligence became a great asset to the group. Whether it was something small to helping with homework… to much later, when it was a matter of life or death.
Although petrified into unconsciousness at the time, it is Hermione’s research that helps Harry figure out that a Basilisk was roaming Hogwarts’ pipes during Chamber of Secrets.
In Prisoner of Azkaban, Hermione’s time-turner helps save two innocent lives; Sirius Black, who had been wrongly imprisoned for murder over a decade earlier and the hippogriff Buckbeak, who was being unfairly sentenced to death.
In Order of the Phoenix, it was Hermione who had the idea for what later became the Dumbledore’s Army, a group that played an important role in the fall of Lord Voldemort.
Finally, in Deathly Hallows, it is clear that Harry and Ron would have struggled on the quest for Horcruxes had Hermione not been there whether it be sourcing shelter, healing splinching or getting out of dangerous situations.
While typically listed third (i.e. Harry, Ron, Hermione), Ms. Granger was ultimately an invaluable part of Harry Potter’s life, on some occasions saving him as well as being a true friend.
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Harry Potter: How Hermione Was Important To The Trio (and the series)
Along with Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley, Hermione Jean Granger is one of three main characters in the Harry Potter series.
She was played by Emma Watson in all eight films, growing from an 11-year-old Muggle-born first year to a young woman and powerful witch.
Hermione is the favourite character of both author JK Rowling and screenwriter Steve Kloves, who scripted seven of the movies.
One of Hermione’s most defining traits is her intelligence. From very early on, it is clear that she excels when compared to her classmates by quite a mile.
In fact, this intelligence almost led to her being Sorted into Ravenclaw, the Hogwarts House which values this quality.
When she was younger, this intelligence came across as being stuck-up or bossy, which often rubbed people the wrong way. Thus, Hermione found it difficult to make friends.
Although introduced almost immediately after Harry boards the Hogwarts Express for the first time, she enters his life as a friend much later compared to Ron.
As ardent Potter fans will remember, the two boys befriended Hermione after they survived a troll attack together.
From then on, Hermione’s intelligence became a great asset to the group. Whether it was something small to helping with homework… to much later, when it was a matter of life or death.
Although petrified into unconsciousness at the time, it is Hermione’s research that helps Harry figure out that a Basilisk was roaming Hogwarts’ pipes during Chamber of Secrets.
In Prisoner of Azkaban, Hermione’s time-turner helps save two innocent lives; Sirius Black, who had been wrongly imprisoned for murder over a decade earlier and the hippogriff Buckbeak, who was being unfairly sentenced to death.
In Order of the Phoenix, it was Hermione who had the idea for what later became the Dumbledore’s Army, a group that played an important role in the fall of Lord Voldemort.
Finally, in Deathly Hallows, it is clear that Harry and Ron would have struggled on the quest for Horcruxes had Hermione not been there whether it be sourcing shelter, healing splinching or getting out of dangerous situations.
While typically listed third (i.e. Harry, Ron, Hermione), Ms. Granger was ultimately an invaluable part of Harry Potter’s life, on some occasions saving him as well as being a true friend.
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10 Well-Known Actors You Didn’t Know Voiced Cartoon Characters
Animation, as an art form, offers actors a new type of challenge. Using only their voices, they are tasked with bringing cartoon characters to life in a way that viewers could almost believe they were seeing real people.
While some actors are solely voice performers, such as the likes of Frank Welker, Billy West, John DiMaggio, Tress MacNeille and many others, some actors known for live-action work occasionally head into the booth.
Read on to find out about ten well-known live-action actors who have voiced cartoon characters.
Tia Carrere (Lilo and Stitch)
Hawaiian-born Tia Carrere is known for playing Cassandra Wong in the two Wayne’s World films and appearing in General Hospital.
Carrere has ventured into reality television, starring on Dancing With The Stars and The Celebrity Appearance.
In 2002, Carrere voiced Nani Pelekai, older sister of the female title character in the animated feature Lilo and Stitch.
She would go on to reprise this role in subsequent straight-to-DVD movies as well as a television series.
Will Friedle (Kim Possible)
Will Friedle played the eccentric, dimwitted older brother Eric Matthews for all seven seasons of Boy Meets World, a live-action sitcom.
Since that series ended in 2000, Friedle has mainly focused on voice acting.
One of his best known projects in terms of vieweship is Kim Possihle, in which Friedle voiced the title character’s best friend/sidekick/love interest, Ron Stoppable.
Drew Barrymore (Family Guy)
Barrymore famously starred in ET: The Extra Terrestrial as a child actress and has appeared in other films such as Scream, Charlie’s Angels, Donnie Darko and Fever Pitch, to name just a few.
Between 2017 and 2019, she starred on the Netflix horror-comedy series Santa Clarita Diet.
Since 2005, Barrymore has been a recurring guest voice on Family Guy, where she has voiced Jillian Russell, the airheaded ex-girlfriend of Brian Griffin.
Patrick Warburton (The Emperor’s New Groove)
Patrick Warburton is known for numerous live-action films and television series.
Some examples include Seinfeld, Rules of Engagement, The Tick, Ted, A Series Of Unfortunate Events and Scream 2.
In 2000, Warburton first voiced Kronk in the animated feature The Emperor’s New Groove. He also played Kronk in the spin-off television series, The Emperor’s New School, between 2006 and 2008.
Christy Carlson Romano (Kim Possible)
Christy Carlson Romano is no stranger to Disney, having starred in the sitcom Even Stevens (alongside a young Shia LaBeouf) between 2000 and 2003.
In 2002, Romano starred alongside fellow Disney sitcom star Hilary Duff (Lizzie McGuire) as well as Shawn Ashmore in the Disney Channel Original Movie, Cadet Kelly.
Between 2002 and 2007, Romano voiced the title character on Kim Possible.
Kevin McDonald (Lilo and Stitch)
Canadian comedian Kevin McDonald is known for the sketch series The Kids In The Hall, which aired from 1988-1995.
McDonald has guest-starred in a number of sitcoms including Friends, Ellen and That 70s Show.
In the world of animation, McDonald is known for being the voice of Wendy Pleakley in Lilo and Stitch.
Ashley Johnson (Recess)
Ashley Johnson has had a successful acting career, both as a child and an adult.
She has starred in the sitcom Growing Pains (1990-1992) and the crime drama Blindspot (2015-present), playing Patterson in the latter.
Although known for providing the voice of Ellie in the video game The Last Of Us, Johnson’s breakthrough animation role came much earlier.
Between 1997-2001, Johnson voiced Gretchen Grundler on Recess, reprising the role in the feature film and various straight-to-DVD movies.
Kelsey Grammer (The Simpsons)
Kelsey Grammer is perhaps best known for playing Frasier Crane in the long-running, classic NBC sitcoms Cheers and Frasier.
However, since 1990, Grammer has provided the recurring voice of Sideshow Bob, Bart Simpson’s nemesis in The Simpsons.
As a side-note, one of Grammer’s appearances on The Simpsons featured the introduction of Sideshow Bob’s father and brother.
The characters were played by John Mahoney and David Hyde Pierce respectively, who filled the same roles to Grammer’s character on Frasier.
Lacey Chabert (Family Guy)
Chabert starred as Claudia Salinger on Party Of Five between 1994-2000.
Other early roles include appearances on All My Children as well as featuring in films such as Lost In Space, Daddy Day Care and Not Another Teen Movie.
Between 1999-2000, Chabert was the original, uncredited voice of Meg Griffin on Family Guy during the first season. Complications with scheduling on Party of Five as well as needing to focus schoolwork led to her exit.
Chabert’s voice has been featured in archived recordings in situations such as flashbacks or when Stewie Griffin has time-travelled.
Andrew Lawrence (Recess)
Andrew Lawrence has appeared in multiple projects as a child and adult. These include the series Brotherly Love (with his real-life brothers, Joey and Matthew Lawrence).
Lawrence has also appeared in Disney Channel Original Movies such as The Other Me and Jumping Ship, starred in Oliver Beene and has had guest star roles on Hawaii Five-0 and Melissa and Joey (which starred his brother Joey).
Between 1998-2001, Lawrence became the second voice of TJ Detweiler on Recess after the original actor, Sleepless In Seattle‘s Ross Malinger, went through puberty.
Lawrence, like Ashley Johnson, reprised the role in the 2003 feature film School’s Out as well as some direct-to-DVD movies before he too went through puberty and could no longer play TJ.
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What Are The Supporting Cast Of Harry Potter Doing Now?
You remember Harry Potter, right? Anyone who read children’s literature and watched films during the late 90s to early 2010s will surely recall the thrilling adventures of the Boy Who Lived and his friends in the Wizarding World.
After seven books and eight movies, Harry and his friends bid farewell (at least cinematically) in 2011, after a decade-long run of near annual run of a new Harry Potter film being released.
The three lead actors; Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) have all had continued success in their acting careers. Likewise, the movements of other cast members such as Tom Felton, Domhnall Gleeson or Robert Pattinson are widely known.
Let us step out of the spotlight for a second and think about some of the other characters and the actors who played them. Not necessarily the centre of attention but still have sizeable roles in the story.
They have a direct connection to the protagonist, Harry in this case, and help him in his journey.
bonnie wright – ginny weasley
Then: Wright played Ginny Weasley, younger sister to Ron and – Spoiler Alert – eventual wife to Harry, in all eight films, with varying screen time in each appearance. Some of her most notable work in the series is in Chamber of Secrets and Half Blood Prince, the second and sixth movies.
Now: Wright graduated with a Bachelor’s from London College of Communication in 2012 and has since moved into directing. Her work in this field includes Separate We Come, Separate We Go which starred Potter co-star David Thewlis (Remus Lupin) and Medusa’s Ankles, with another Potter alumnus, Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy) making an appearance.
James and oliver phelps – fred and george weasley
Then: Twins James and Oliver Phelps played Fred and George Weasley respectively in all eight films. Fred and George were the resident pranksters and older brothers to Ron as well as close friends of Harry.
Now: Since Potter ended, the Phelps Twins have largely continued to work as duo, in projects such as Danny and The Human Zoo. They also make frequent appearances at Harry Potter related conventions and events.
matthew lewis – neville longbottom
Then: Lewis appeared in all eight films as Neville Longbottom, an endearingly shy and forgetful classmate of the main trio, coming into his own in the later films, especially Deathly Hallows Part 2.
Now: Lewis has starred in multiple television series including The Syndicate, Bluestone 42, Ripper Street and Girlfriends. His film roles include Me Before You and Terminal.
Evanna lynch – luna lovegood
Then: Irish-born Lynch joined Harry Potter in its later years, appearing in the final four films between 2007 and 2011. Lynch had been a superfan of the books, having previously written to JK Rowling.
Now: Lynch appeared alongside the Phelps Twins in Danny and the Human Zoo while also starring in GBF, My Name is Emily and Madness Is The Method.
alfred enoch – dean thomas
Then: Enoch starred in seven of the films (only missing Deathly Hallows Part 1) as Harry’s classmate Dean Thomas, a muggle-born West Ham supporter who later dates Ginny Weasley.
Now: Most notably, Enoch starred in the ABC series How To Get Away With Murder, opposite Viola Davis and produced by Shonda Rhimes. He has also appeared in Sherlock, Broadchurch, Mount Pleasant and Trust Me.
devon murray – seamus finnigan
Then: Murray had an eight-film stint as Seamus Finnigan, an Irish-born half-blood wizard and fellow Gryffindor classmate to Harry and his friends.
Now: Murray has largely stepped away from acting to pursue his interest in rearing animals, though he did appear in Damo and Ivor: The Movie. He has also made appearances at Harry Potter related events.
chris rankin – percy weasley
Then: Rankin played yet another Weasley sibling; third-born, Head Boy Percy, who definitely stood out among his family… not always for the right reasons.
Now: Rankin has worked in production roles on Atlantis, Downton Abbey and Discovery Witches while also attending conventions related to Harry Potter.
joshua herdman – gregory goyle
Then: What you may not know is that Herdman is one of the few cast members to appear in all eight films while portraying the same character throughout. (Dumbledore appeared in all eight played by different actors and Warwick Davis played multiple characters in all the films).
Now: Herdman is still acting, with roles in Marcella and the forthcoming Alex Rider series. He has also embarked on a career as a mixed martial artist.
stanislav ianevski – viktor krum
Then: Ianevski played Bulgarian Seeker and Tri-Wizard champion Viktor Krum in 2005’s Goblet of Fire, making his professional acting debut in the film. He returned for Deathly Hallows Part I, however, his scenes were cut from the final film.
Now: Ianevski has continued acting, starring in films such as Hostel: Part II, directed by Eli Roth.
Clémence poesy – fleur delacour
Then: Poesy played Fleur Delacour, Tri-Wizard Champion from Beauxbatons and later a member of the Weasley family following her marriage to oldest brother Bill (Domhnall Gleeson).
Now: Poesy has starred in films such as 127 Hours and In Bruges while also accruing television credits in War and Peace (2007), Gossip Girl and The Tunnel.
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Danielle Panabaker’s Killer Career – Acting, Directing, Being Super On-Screen
Danielle Panabaker has had a professional acting career in Hollywood for nearly twenty years. Due to this longevity, viewers likely know Panabaker from any number of roles she has previously played.
There were television guest roles on Malcolm In The Middle, Law and Order Special Victims Unit and Summerland.
Panabaker’s popularity grew after starring in a string of family films, such as Disney’s Stuck in the Suburbs (opposite Brenda Song) and Read It and Weep (along her sister Kay and Jason Dolley) as well as Yours, Mine and Ours.
Panabaker and her younger sister, former actress Kay Panabaker In 2005, Panabaker appeared in what would be her first (but certainly not her last) foray into the superhero genre, having landed the female lead in Sky High, opposite Michael Angarano, Kurt Russell and Kelly Preston. Her character’s super power was the ability to control plants and vegetation.
For the next decade or so, Panabaker continued appearing in several films and television shows, Friday the 13th, Grimm, The Glades and Piranha 3DD to name just a few,
In 2014, Panabaker landed what has become her biggest television role to date — series regular Doctor Caitlin Snow on CW’s The Flash. She has starred on all six seasons thus far, being one of three cast members to have appeared in every episode to date.
For anyone familiar with DC Comics, you will recognise Caitlin’s name as the moniker of villainess Killer Frost, whom, spoiler alert, Panabaker has also portrayed in various guises since the second season.
Between the fourth and fifth seasons of The Flash, Panabaker participated in the Warner Bros Directors’ Workshop Program.
Following in the footsteps of co-star Tom Cavanagh (Eobard Thawne/Harrison Wells), Panabaker ended up making her television directorial debut with episode 518 — ‘Godspeed’, centered on Jessica Parker Kennedy’s Nora-West Allen.
Most recently, Panabaker directed ‘Licence to Elongate‘, the sixth episode of season six, largely focused on Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) and Ralph Dibny (Hartley Sawyer) in a James Bond-style setting.
For those interested in staying in the loop with Danielle Panabaker, The Flash airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on The CW.
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What Skeet Ulrich Has Done Since ‘Scream’
Skeet Ulrich rose to fame in Hollywood with the 1996 horror classic Scream, directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson. His biggest project at the time was The Craft, which also starred future Scream lead Neve Campbell.
Throughout his career, we have seen Skeet Ulrich prove his range in multiple projects that differ in genre, content, target audience and even the type of character he is playing.
Ulrich played the memorable teen killer Billy Loomis in Scream, whose actions are ultimately pivotal to the film’s events. The cast also included Drew Barrymore, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Matthew Lillard and Neve Campbell.
At the time of Scream‘s release, Ulrich was 26 and had been working professionally in Hollywood for seven years.
Ulrich as Billy Loomis in one of Scream’s most iconic scenes. As expected with a major Hollywood hit, Ulrich went on to land more roles on the back of Scream’s success — he appeared in The Newton Boys (1998) with Matthew McConaughey and Ethan Hawke in which he played their on-screen brother, Track Down (2000) with Tom Berenger and The Magic of Ordinary Days (2005) with Keri Russell.
(L to R): Ulrich in The Craft, The Newton Boys, Track Down and The Magic of Ordinary Days Arguably, it can be said that Ulrich’s greatest success over the past decade has been in television, beginning with his lead role as Jake Green in Jericho, a post-apocalyptic drama on CBS that ran for three seasons. Interestingly, this show also starred a pre-Walking Dead Lennie James.
Ulrich also played the role of Rex Winters, a Police Detective, in fifteen episodes across the Law and Order franchise on NBC – one as a guest star on Special Victims Unit with the other fourteen as a regular on Law and Order: LA.
(Top) – Jake Green
(Bottom) – Rex WintersIn 2017, Ulrich landed two key roles — real life abductor Brian David Mitchell in the acclaimed Lifetime television film I Am Elizabeth Smart which tells the story of the then 14-year-old’s kidnapping by a family acquaintance, opposite Alana Boden as Smart. The real Elizabeth Smart found the film so accurate that she cannot watch it for a second time.
He also began a guest role on CW’s Riverdale – a teen drama based on Archie Comics – as FP Jones, father to regular character Jughead (Cole Sprouse. The character’s popularity amongst fans led to Ulrich becoming a series regular from the second season onwards.
Ulrich as FP Jones with on-screen son Jughead (Cole Sprouse) As well as Riverdale’s fourth season that began in October, Ulrich will also be appearing in the upcoming film Bios alongside Tom Hanks, Caleb Landry Jones (Get Out) and Laura Harrier (Spider-Man Homecoming), which is due for release in 2020.
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Bridge to Terabithia – Reflecting On My First Adult Viewing Of A Special Film
Released in 2007, only twelve years ago, Bridge to Terabithia is, in my opinion, a seminal children’s film that kids should definitely watch at some point in their lives. While the title and some of the story focuses on an imaginary fantasy land, there are very real themes of friendship, family, compassion and grief at play in the movie. Young people also learn quite directly that the real world is not always a happy place – it can be cruel and unfair, hence why the imaginary land of Terabithia is thought into existence.
Although Bridge to Terabithia is under the Walt Disney Pictures banner, it is in fact much more poignant than a first-time viewer might give it credit for. This adaptation may be just over a decade old however the source material – Katherine Paterson’s novel of the same name – was released three decades earlier in 1977.
As the title alludes to, I recently watched Bridge to Terabithia for the first time as someone over the age of eighteen. It had been a very long time since my last viewing and the whole experience took me back into what it was like to be younger and carefree, in the age range of the lead characters.
As with any beloved story, endearing and memorable characters are a key reason for Bridge to Terabithia’s long-standing success and place in the hearts of millions. Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb played their respective roles – Jess and Leslie, amazingly well especially considering how young they were during filming.
Not only does their on-screen friendship feel real and authentic, both Hutcherson and Robb truly embodied their characters in such a way that despite many years having passed since I first saw the film, I never forgot Jess, Leslie and what they went through together. I was genuinely moved by the story depicted on screen and the film means a lot to me, for that reason.
Looking into the film as an adult also offers a much different perspective to when I was younger and less knowledgeable about the world. For example, issues such as the financial issues in Jess’ family, the shock that Leslie does not believe in God and the fact that the bullies (especially Lauren Clinton’s Janice Avery) are much more complex human beings than they initially appear.
I always liked May Belle as a character and being an older sibling myself, I can relate to Jess’ annoyance at times of her trying to tag along. While many aspects of the story are timeless, it is in fact May Belle that reminds me exactly how much time has passed since Bridge to Terabithia was made — I have seen Bailee Madison in many other projects and she has obviously grown up. In fact, after my recent viewing, I went on to Instagram and one of the first pictures I saw was Madison celebrating her twentieth birthday. Time flies!
I also appreciate Robert Patrick’s performance and what he brought to the film much more now than I did when Bridge to Terabithia was first released. As a parent in a Disney film, it is easy to simply regard him as the obligatory adult presence in the child character’s life. However, as I have said, now having more understanding of different perspectives helps me see Jack Aarons as a hard-working man trying to provide for his family.
Of course, Leslie’s ultimate and tragic fate near the end of the story is a source of great sadness for many people. Some have questioned why her death was necessary and have even made comments about the author, Katherine Paterson, for killing their favourite character.
Due to Leslie being based on a real-life friend – Lisa Hill – of Paterson’s son, her death was never in question. This is what makes AnnaSophia Robb’s performance even more impressive — she had to make Leslie memorable, lovable and leave enough of an impression on the audience so what happened would be deeply felt. Leslie was a young, intelligent, vibrant girl with her whole life ahead of her. Again, being only twelve at the time and having all of that to factor in and think about is truly remarkable.
Josh Hutcherson also showed the beginnings of acting chops that would grow even further over the next decade. His performance as Jess in the latter stages of the film is some of his best work, in my opinion though I consistently enjoyed the character throughout Bridge to Terabithia.
Anyway, those are my thoughts and musings which I hope you enjoyed reading. I had forgotten how much Bridge to Terabithia impacted me and how it had helped me learn about the harshness in reality, until this recent viewing.
I feel like most people in my generation saw this film at some point and now, the kids of 2019, watching it can learn the same lessons we did back in the day. Some stories just cannot be forgotten.