Imperfect Lives, Imperfect People
Jean-Claude Van Damme spoke to me in an accent that sounded French and felt like raw sex appeal thrusting against my inner ear. “You’re the first [interviewer] who told me they didn’t see the movie,” he said apparently surprised by my honesty. I don’t like slouching on my living room couch watching publicity screeners with anti-piracy messages scrolling along the bottom. When possible, I’d rather see and remember movies where they were meant to be seen: in theaters. So, I got two tickets to attend the US premiere of JCVD at the lovely Angelika Film Center. Sitting next to my friend Rachel, I’ll tuck my tush in a cushy seat with my fingertips dipped in warm popcorn and a stiff, plastic straw sucking chilled Cherry Coke between my lips.
Why this movie? If you’ve read Funky Brown Chick for any amount of time, you know my posts are often filled with typos, my love life is less than perfect and I’ve had really shitty spans of bad luck in New York. I like flicks that don’t present leading characters as 2-D, perfectly-packaged, flawless people. When I saw the trailer at BAM the other weekend, I knew I wanted to interview JCVD (the dude) and write about JCVD (the movie) but I didn’t wanna do a standard film review / synopsis. I went into the interview to ask him about his status as sex symbol, but I came out of it more vividly aware of his humanity.
Huffington Post: Jean-Claude Van Damme Gets “Raw” in JCVD by Twanna A. Hines
November 6th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
WOW! You got to meet him AND interview him? That’s brilliant. Congrats and I am so jealous!
November 6th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
I got to interview him, but I didn’t get to meet him. I was started my day in Manhattan and he ending his 12 hours ahead while sipping coffee and eating cookies in Bangkok. :)
November 6th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
wow thats fascinating.
I wish he would get better movie roles
November 6th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Van Damme…… killer…… am a big fan …… he filled a void when Mr.Lee took the
Midnight Special….. different swerve on a old fighting style….. and that is what always had me going to his movies….. to check some new moves…… and with at times…. very good ballet bits….. very balanced …… killer….
lamesabassman…… Steven Segal vs. Van Damme…… straight, no chaser….. who’s
the last man standing….. would be deep 2 peep…..
November 7th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Alas I was a fan of such ‘thespians’. Arnie, Sly and the rest of the gang.
Whatever happened to Steven Seagal?
Oh how undiscerning I was as a teenager.
For now I couldn’t give a fart about JCVD.
November 18th, 2008 at 11:49 am
@ dkzone: He gave an awesome interview. Looking forward to seeing his next movie.
@ lamesabassman: He’s probably the most sucessful action guy still making movies.
@ Anthony B: It was a interesting movie. You should see it. :)
November 18th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
and his newest flick, JCVD will be a pivotal piece…. he is re-inventing himself
again…… and if it’s good for Madonna…. it will be hellacool for Mr. Van Damme.
lamesabassman…… have you and your Chi-town bud been to Atlantic City yet…