Billy Zane was supposed to be talking about "Titanic" but he digressed a bit: Hunter S. Thompson, the beauty of media, the importance of philosophy -- and he could wax on for days. “But this is all speculative dialogue,” he said. Oh, Cal, I thought. One could imagine him in a parlor room, dressed in a three-piece suit and giving his brandy a swirl. Though, he probably wasn’t. He was about to head out to the world premiere of "Titanic 3D."
The re-release of James Cameron’s blockbuster has come with its fair share of exclamation-point-nostalgia, which is to be expected of the second highest-grossing film of all time, having ensnared, most of all, pre-tweens. (At nine, I had seen the film in theaters three times, a modest figure by 1997 standards.)
But, with the film making its way back to theaters this week -- in stunning 3D -- there’s a new word that has become synonymous with the film: embarrassment.
So, it was a breath of fresh air when Zane did not only not jump on the “Titanic”-is-so-embarrassing bandwagon (or lifeboat!), but, instead, felt a sense of pride in the movie.
“There were people who I knew who never saw the film because it was purely successful,” he said. “I’ve been defined and introduced [by ‘Titanic’] for 15 years…but to have my name be synonymous with this film is a great gift.”
Thank you, Billy!
On a personal note: “Titanic” is unequivocally my favorite movie. This is at once completely sincere and totally absurd –- much like the film itself. My love for “Titanic” was on a somewhat low-burning flame for most of my life, heating up only in my college days. I had come to realize something about the movie: Though it, yes, made me weep (weep!), it’s actually hilarious. I found myself playing out long swaths of dialogue with my fellow “Titanic” fans (who were not few in number) -- we’d gloss over the lamer, most quoted scenes and opt for the lines of Molly Brown, Rose’s mom or Mr. Ismay. Example: “Freud. Who is he? Is he a passenger?” That’s gold, folks.
I was already the biggest, semi-closeted “Titanic” weirdo out there –- once, I had laryngitis and took to answering my phone with a faint-voiced “Jack!” and I can recite the film’s opening in French (the French go nutso for “Titanic”) –- and this was way, way before the King of the World even announced he was re-releasing this baby.
So, as much as I enjoyed Kate Winslet admitting that she's suppressing “a massive internal eye roll” whenever someone would make a “Titanic” gag, it saddened me. It may not be any fun for her to watch the movie again (sure, she was a little Rubenesque in scenes), but it’s still really, really good. Really.
It goes without saying that I am not alone here with my super fandom. There are many others out there who far more committed (just ask those on a Titanic commemorative cruise, which follows the doomed ship’s trajectory).
Bill Paxton, who played Brock Lovett, the then-present-day underwater archeologist in search of Le Coeur de la Mer, explained that despite his relatively small role, he couldn’t escape “Titanic,” either.
“So many people say to me 'that was the most incredible film I’ve ever seen' or 'I’ll never forget when I saw ‘Titanic’ for the first time.'”
Paxton believes that the film’s 3D element will only strengthen fans’ appreciation of the epic.
“First of all, there’s a whole new generation that's going to see the movie for the first time,” he said. “But for all of us who remember seeing it 15 years ago, it’s almost kind of like the memory’s been enhanced by the 3D. I don’t think anyone will be disappointed.”
Disappointment is surely off the table –- the effects are sort of breathtaking -- but it will be interesting to see how a whole new crop of kids reacts to the film. After all, it is nearly 3.5-hours long.
Francis Fisher, who played Rose’s mother (and in my opinion, has the most loathsome role in the entire movie -- Cal, actually, not such a bad guy), believes in the film’s ever-lasting reach.
“I think [the film continues to be successful] because Jim has told a story of ultimate tragedy,” she said.
Indeed, Cameron has, with the help of two very attractive people, created the perfect love story that none of us will ever have. (Who hasn't hoped to be picked up with "So, you want to go to a real party?") But a girl can dream! And, boy, do they ever. Fisher has witnessed first hand the unstoppable force of “Titanic” on her own daughter, who was three during the film’s production.
“She played Kate’s character all the time,” she said. “She would dress for dinner and she would walk down the stairs and I would have to be Leo and kiss her hand when she came to the landing and I would say, ‘I saw that in a nickelodeon once and I always wanted to do it.’”
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Billy Zane was supposed to be talking about "Titanic" but he digressed a bit: Hunter S. Thompson, the beauty of media, the importance of philosophy -- and he could wax on for days. “But this is all ...
Billy Zane was supposed to be talking about "Titanic" but he digressed a bit: Hunter S. Thompson, the beauty of media, the importance of philosophy -- and he could wax on for days. “But this is all ...
Hollywood, and the celebrity culture it breeds, is often accused of distracting the masses from more pressing social and political issues -- a modern day...
Remastered stills from Titanic have been released, giving us another nostalgic look at James Cameron's 1997 epic ahead of the film's April re-release in 3D....
Hi there! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I really enjoy reading your posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same subjects? Appreciate it! http://gurjeetguri.blogspot.com
Gaffey_Joseph: Hi there! This is my 1st comment here so I
how about combinig Aliens and titanic remae, An Alien is dicovered on the ship and start terrozing the passengers and crew. The only way to get rid of tt is sinking the ship
trailerguy: how about combinig Aliens and titanic remae, An Alien is
I know it is not going to happen, but I wish people would stay away from this in droves. Cameron said he hated it that people were releasing movies after making them 3-d and here he is doing that exact same thing, just so he can make another billion dollars. This is the same man who re-released Avatar with a few extra minutes because he figured he had left a couple hundred million out there. And even more sheeple will be flocking to see this new release of a cheesy movie, and Cameron will be laughing at them all the way to the bank.
Samwise1948: I know it is not going to happen, but I
Age ain't nothing but a number for these loved-up A-Listers. My BF and I both think so! He is almost 10 years older than I .We met via~~Ｃouｇarｌove.C`0Μ~~ a nice place for younger women and oldermen, or older women and younger men, to interact with each other! ,Ever feel that you would best enjoy someone who is not in your age group? If u are really interested in it, maybe u wanna check it out or tell your friends.
ust want to comment on the movie being re-packaged in 3D. Does the Titanic still sink at the end? I saw it originally at the theatre, and I have the DVD at home. Unless something unusual happens, say Jack knocks Rose off the door she's floating on at the end and tells her, "let's take turns floating on the door, you take a few minutes on, then you get off and let me float a few minutes so we can BOTH survive, i've seen it enough.
cxbtrds: Age ain't nothing but a number for these loved-up A-Listers.
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I just want to comment on the movie being re-packaged in 3D. Does the Titanic still sink at the end? I saw it originally at the theatre, and I have the DVD at home. Unless something unusual happens, say Jack knocks Rose off the door she's floating on at the end and tells her, "let's take turns floating on the door, you take a few minutes on, then you get off and let me float a few minutes so we can BOTH survive, i've seen it enough.
polyform76: I just want to comment on the movie being re-packaged
Anyone who criticized Winslet for her nude scenes is either blind, has very bad taste or is just stupid. She was beautiful... she should have been proud of that! She looked like most women.... she didn't weigh 80 unrealistic pounds and wear a size -2. It saddens me she caved to the demands of Hollywood... but "Titanic" will forever remain my favorite movie and I'm not ashamed to say it!
tuffigirl: Anyone who criticized Winslet for her nude scenes is either
It is sad.....she is a great actress and use to look real. I loved her back then....not only in Titanic, but in all her roles. She is still a great actress, but is now a too-thin blonde like way too many actresses. Celebrate diversity!
Susan1122: It is sad.....she is a great actress and use to
Ok... I am very confused... WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH BEING RUBENESQUE??? definition: of, relating to, or suggestive of the painter Rubens or his works; especially: plump or rounded usually in a pleasing or attractive way . First of all Kate Winslets body was beautiful in this movie, men don't want a frikkin stick figure! most admit they like a little meat on the bones. There was even a study that said human males are genetically programmed in such a way that curvy hips stimulate arousal due to the fact that ancient women with these features typically bore viable healthy babies. There was nothing round about her except her curves, ALL of which are in the right places.
newsjunkie86: Ok... I am very confused... WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG
Director James Cameron makes changes of the positioning of stars as Kate Winslet/as Rose looks at the sky while floating on driftwood. It is evidence-based according to astronomy and an astronomer. Would he also have reinterpreted Rose according to the latest research on genetic Darwin feminism?
Josephine_AcostaPasricha: Director James Cameron makes changes of the positioning of stars
Winslet "was a little Rubenesque in scenes"? Really? Is the author trying to say she was overweight? If so, by who's standards? How insane can you get?
origamib: Winslet "was a little Rubenesque in scenes"? Really? Is the
Oscar-winning film creates buzz with 3-D release
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Posted: 04/ 4/2012 10:57 am Updated: 04/ 5/2012 2:47 pm