Cult Classic Corner! Jack Spreads Some Love… Actually! Talking About One Of The Best Christmas Movies Ever And Meeting Colin Firth!

Ah! Love Actually! How I love this movie! I always think it’s funny when Jack writes about a movie I love… I’m waiting for Troop Beverly Hills to be included in Cult Classic Corner! LOL… Today, Jack is going all holiday on us and talking about his… Ahem… Love… For Love Actually, the Richard Curtis feel good holiday rom-com or as I like to call it the movie Garry Marshall has been trying to make.

Love Actually is yearly viewing and sometimes more in my house. It’s literally chock full of fun moments and has a stellar list of cast members! Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, I mean damn!

Check out the latest Cult Classic Corner after the jump!

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Happy Holidays sounds too politically correct for me. After all, “Christmas is All Around” us.  Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Festivus or Canadian Boxing Day, there’s no denying this is one of, if not, the most charming time of the year. One of my all time favorite films (and holiday films) is “Love Actually.”

love actually uk quad mini movie poster promo press promo still emma thompson liam neeson hugh grant bill nighy alan rickman

Since I first saw it in theaters with a date I have absolutely adored everything about this film and believe it’s arguably one of the greatest romantic comedies ever. Written and directed by Richard Curtis (“Four Weddings and a Funeral”), “Love Actually” is an awesome English ensemble film featuring Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Rowan Atkinson and a young Keira Knightley. Then you have people who have since emerged as stars Martin Freeman (UK’s “The Office” and “The Hobbit”), Bill Nighy (“Shaun of the Dead” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” films ), Andrew Lincoln (“The Walking Dead”), Rodrigo Santoro (“300”) and Academy award nominee Laura Linney (“The Savages,” “Kinsey” and “The Big C”). 

Hugh grant in love actually promo press movie still hot rare prime minister love actually uk quad mini movie poster promo press promo still emma thompson liam neeson hugh grant bill nighy alan rickman

“Love Actually” is comprised of 10 interconnecting storylines showcasing the different layers of love and the unsuspecting things people do to profess their affections for one another. There’s aging rock musician Billy Mack (Nighy), actor John (Freeman), newlywed Juliet (Knightley), writer Jamie (Firth), middle aged couple Harry and Karen (Rickman and Thompson), the newly elected Prime Minister (Grant), American Sarah (Linney), recently widowed Daniel (Neeson) and unsuccessful ladies man Colin (Kris Marshall), who make up the principle characters.  Together they all discover, “Just Because It’s Christmas” anything is possible.

keira knightly in love actually rare press promo movie still Hugh grant in love actually promo press movie still hot rare prime minister love actually uk quad mini movie poster promo press promo still emma thompson liam neeson hugh grant bill nighy alan rickman

Honestly, I could write a detailed description of this romantic comedy and spoil everything for you, but I rather you discover this movie for yourself. There are so many great scenes like the Christmas pageant, the wedding, Bill Mack’s performances, buying a gift discreetly for someone and finally getting that special someone alone. From beginning to end, “Love Actually” is a film that holds up after almost a decade and like wine, it only gets better with each year.

Billy Mack bill nighy rare christmas promo still sexy dancers keira knightly in love actually rare press promo movie still Hugh grant in love actually promo press movie still hot rare prime minister love actually uk quad mini movie poster promo press promo still emma thompson liam neeson hugh grant bill nighy alan rickman

Since this is Cult Classic Corner it’s always tough trying to describe autograph situations, especially for foreign actors. Unless they’re attending a film premiere, it’s quite difficult obtaining autographs from European actors and filmmakers. When they’re out, you better take a chance to go meet them because you never know when they’re stateside. Luckily for me I have been able to meet one Academy Award winner featured in the film, Mr. Colin Firth.

I honestly never thought I would meet anyone from this film since almost everyone is an iconic English actor, but that changed one night thanks to a special screening of “A Single Man” at the old Laemmle Sunset 5 when Colin Firth was promoting his recent Oscar nomination. Almost everyone I knew wasn’t aware of this screening and it seriously turned out to be an awesome night with my friend David. Everything began low key and slowly we saw women trickle in with their “Pride And Prejudice” DVDs.



Once the film started, we were in for a treat. “A Single Man” was amazing and one of the best visually stylized films I have ever seen for a directorial debut (Tom Ford). The Q&A was very low key and intimate despite a recent Oscar nominee was attending, especially a legitimate contender. Most of the questions were quite generic, but David managed to ask about Tom Ford’s cinematography decisions. Pretty much everything was “shot on the go” and done with very little, if any, planning.

When the Q&A ended, Colin Firth graciously signed autographs for people as we literally all lined up single file. After a couple of minutes, the staff asked for everyone to go into the lobby and we all followed their orders thinking Colin would hang out with us in the lobby. Suddenly, a velvet rope was put in front of the theater entrance and I turned to my friend David with a panicked face. Moments later, Colin comes from the theater and says, “Sorry, they say I have to get going and I wanted to personally thank you all for coming out” as he stood behind the rope.

Seeing an opportunity I politely asked if he would mind signing some autographs before he left and he graciously took my Sharpie with a smile signing my “Love Actually” DVD along with “Mamma Mia” (a gift for my mom).

colin firth signed autograph love actually dvd cover rare promo hot academy award winner rare promo Billy Mack bill nighy rare christmas promo still sexy dancers keira knightly in love actually rare press promo movie still Hugh grant in love actually promo press movie still hot rare prime minister love actually uk quad mini movie poster promo press promo still emma thompson liam neeson hugh grant bill nighy alan rickman

Suddenly a few more people emerged and he continued signing for a minute or so before actually taking off. Mr. Firth was one of the kindest people I have ever met and would love to meet him again.  Sadly, that was one of the final times I attend a screening at the Laemmle Sunset 5 before it became the Sundance Cinemas earlier this year. Not a bad “final memory” for a theater.

After reading about some of Mike’s experiences with his “Love Actually” poster it dawned on me I should have tried to get Andrew Lincoln while they were promoting their latest projects, but sometimes you forget “it’s the same person.” These things happen, but it taught me to look for other cast members beyond the usual suspects like Grant, Thompson, etc. Even though Keira completely stiffed at my “Anna Karenina” screening I’m content with just Colin on my DVD. After all, how often do you get one of your favorite films signed by the main star (and Academy Award winner)? Until the next time, happy autograph hunting!

colin firth signed autograph love actually dvd cover rare promo hot academy award winner rare promo Billy Mack bill nighy rare christmas promo still sexy dancers keira knightly in love actually rare press promo movie still Hugh grant in love actually promo press movie still hot rare prime minister love actually uk quad mini movie poster promo press promo still emma thompson liam neeson hugh grant bill nighy alan rickman

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Comments (1)
  1. James December 20, 2012

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