Anthony Hopkins: Wild dark horse in the best actor derby
Stand back, derby watchers! Making a last-minute dash onto the best actor track is wily old Anthony Hopkins, riding a 1920 Kiwi motorcycle at record speed.
Hopkins is so determined to break into that Oscar race that he and Magnolia Pictures "are screening the hell" out of "The World's Fastest Indian," according to Pete Hammond, who moderates many of Variety's screenings.
"They're doing screening after screening after screening all over town, getting great responses, too, which only encourages them more," says Hammond. "Hopkins got a major standing ovation at my Variety screening the other day. I'm telling you it's the most enthusiastic response I've seen so far for any performance this Oscar season. Suddenly, he's a major player. Take it from me. Put Hopkins on your best actor list."
"The World's Fastest Indian" is the real-life story of a 72-year-old New Zealand man who spends his retirement building an Indian motorcycle that he takes, without much funding or a support team, to race in Utah, where he sets a new land-speed record that still stands today.
Magnolia plans to give the film a qualifying run in Los Angeles and New York theaters the week of Dec. 9, then open it wide nationally on Feb. 4.
"Hopkins thinks it's the best performance of his career and he may be right," Hammond adds. "He's brilliant in it. It's one of those performances that, when you see it, is irresistible. He has a real shot at getting nominated if he gets the picture seen. But that's the key and Hopkins is doing everything he can to make that happen."
Photo: Hopkins is riding "Indian" around Hollywood as fiercely as his character rides a Kiwi motorbike on the Utah salt flats.
(Magnolia Pictures)
Anthony Hopkins is wonderful in this movie. Joining the chorus of those signing his Oscar worthy praises. The movie is excellent and Hopkins does not disappoint.
Posted by: buck | November 21, 2005 at 03:15 PM
This would be tremendous if thee under-nominated *Hopkins-(see 1984's "The Bounty")
Another very-nice & old-fashioned story he did & with the sadly already gone: *Anne Bancroft-(1931-2005) 1984's other release "84 Charing Cross Road" (***1/2)
Was to even take hom his 2nd "Golden Boy!" He has always seemed in that elite grouping of two & three time winners-(& as most know, he only has 4 nods & 1 victory td?)
I've always felt his Capt Bligh was even stronger an interpretation then that of *Charles Laughton's!
However, that early in '84 release was a failure at B.O. & studios were not as yet really campaigning via vids as much as they were-(Ironically, 1991 & the yr he & *"Silnce of the Lambs," was the year that really kicked-in too!?)
I rank him as our finest living actor (close behind is: *Robert Duvall-(1931-) & both have also played many a hitorical figure. Like both of their Idol: *"The Great: Tracy!"
For those that have not yet seen it, check out his tv movie "The Bunker"-(I'm no Emmy pundit, Oscars are my dish. However, I am farly certain he won an Emmy for his Adolf)(his Hitler was thee finest, until Bruno Ganz slighted him, but barely, in last yrs German release "Downfall"-("Memo" to Hollywood & the ACADEMY, You folks really missed the boat in ignoring the latter for at least a Best Actor nod.)
He even portrayed "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" As well as the infamous & executed by the state: Bruno Huffman in 1976's tv- mini-series "Linbergh"-(for those under a rock, or just in a state of total ignorance of history. Hoffman, was the fella' convicted of kidnapping & murdering the baby of American Hero: Charles Linbergh!)
& another movie that took it on the chin-(literally) due to most wanting "Blood & Guts!>" 1978's "Magic" A superb pc. of acting by *Sir Anthony!-(P.S. However & by his own admission. He literally spent late 19660's & most of the '70's in a drunken state! Hence, the lack of movies. As I wrote Sasha Stone of www.oscarwatch.com His mentor: *Lord 0livier-(1907-89) even had to literally "sack," the man from wales & during an on stage performance as well. he was too loaded. But, it came around & *0livier, got a small role in forementioned "Bounty")
& of course he has portrayed Richard in '68's superb "Lion in Winter"-(his debut)
"Amistad"-(a supporting nom. but another historical figure)
As well as legendary painter: "Picasso" As well as what may well be this country's most notorious president-(& another Oscar shot) 1995's "Nixon" Which grossed all of $14m.?
Plus, sev. others.
About the only other actor that may have played more historical figures, is: *Rod Seiger-(1925-2001)
My own candidate for what may well be thee single finest performance by an actor in my 24-(this yr is of course not over) 23yrs of seeing new releases-(& nope, it's not his Oscar winning Best Actor role-(though he is on screen 22min) Hannibal Lechter.
It is 1993's Mr. Stevens in "The Remains of the Day" (Merchant/Ivory) Just 1 fellow pundits opinion! By the way, I knew he'd never "Walk Down-the-Aisle,' that yr for his Mr.Stevens. Given it was *Tom Hanks turn-(of 2 in a row. & tie-ing an Academy record 56yrs old, in that category! That of the forementioned>*Spencer Tracy-(1937 & '38)
Great going you guys, for this story. Keep up 4 star work
Posted by: spencer: GoldenAgeManiac! | November 20, 2005 at 05:20 AM