The Official Raúl E. Esparza "Spread the Love" Thread, part two- Page 126

[StageManager2]

Posted: 6/27/06 at 11:42pm

"He's more like greasy."

Chrysanthemum, that's no way to refer to a Latino actor!:)

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/27/06 at 11:42pm

He's usually very clean.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 8:44pm

Hehe. I was having dinner with my dad tonight, and we were talking about a bunch of things. I was telling him about Sundance, since nobody really knows they have the Theater Lab, they've only ever heard of the Film Festival. So I told him Anthony was going to be out there, along with Will Chase (my dad liked him a lot in Lennon) and Raúl, but I put it as "remember that guy in Lennon? The one who played John Lennon? The better of the two, with the tattoos on his arm. And the guy mom and I saw in Cincinnati... him too." So much to my surprise, he was like "oh, Raúl Espa.... Estr.... Es...."

So I was just like "yes!!" I mean, this coming from my dad who was like "what's a Raúl?" not too long ago. heh.

Updated On: 6/28/06 at 08:44 PM

Posted: 6/28/06 at 9:09pm

I originally typed this in a PM to Ashley, but wanted to share it with everyone instead. I just saw his performance (thanks to her) and felt compelled to comment! Anyway, I don't think anyone was wrong at feeling his performance was brilliant. I'm not sure I would have gushed over his performance if I didn't know it was him -- not in the sense that I didn't feel it was brilliant, but rather because I almost feel as if it would have gone unnoticed because it was so subtly brilliant. Ashley, you're definitely right in that he does a marvelous job acting with his eyes, so to speak. Much like in the role of the Emcee, it's great to see how he really becomes the character rather than acts like the character acts.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 9:17pm

I was thinking something alone those lines last night. I was sort of wondering of people who had no idea who this dude was would really take notice of him and go "oh my God, he's breathtaking," or if they would just kind of pass him by on account of him being good, since... I feel like a lot of times in film, you hear people more often laughing at awful performances than you do raving about great ones. I wonder if we thought it was so brilliant because he's Raul and we know to focus on him because we *know* he's brilliant, or if he really was as good on screen as we think he was. I was telling my dad about it, and I said that watching him act opposite Vin Diesel, the difference was absolutely breathtaking. I also wonder if people will notice something there, in the contrast, because he totally held his own and then some.

I still think his talent is built for the stage, because that's where his training is. But he can *certainly* hold his own on film, and that thrills me to see.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 9:34pm

I'm so glad to hear that everyone seems really pleased with how he did... and I think that as fans we can be biased in favor of his performance, but probably also be more critical. I was sort of worried about what I'd think, since a lot of times stage actors don't come across as well on film or overact. Honestly, though, by the end of the trial scene I almost forgot that I was watching Raul and was so absorbed in what was going on between the characters. I think that he did a great job of subtly pulling you in, particularly with his eyes. He's so talented, not to mention ridiculously versatile.

I kind of doubt that I'd have paid his performance particular mind if I hadn't been a fan of his because that's what I expect when watching a movie, but I definitely wouldn't have guessed that it was his first time on film. I also think that the entire movie seems so well-directed acting wise by Lumet, so I'm sure that helps.

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 9:46pm

As *soon* as I figure out how the hell to work the DVD player, I'm renting this.

[xoxRogue]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 9:48pm

I just added it to Netflix. I'll have my dad watch it with me. He doesn't know who Raul is, so he doesn't have a bias toward him. I'll just ask him what he thought...

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 9:51pm

I want to show it to my parents, and see what they think. My dad knows OF Raul, obviously, but I don't think he knows who he is, in the sense that if I sit him down and show him the movie, he'd go "oh, there's Raul!" I don't think he even knows what he looks like.

[xoxRogue]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 11:41pm

I just finished Find Me Guilty. I couldn't stop squirming when Raúl was on the screen because it was...not him. It wasn't bad squirming, it was excited energy. I loved his character...which doesn't show much about me, does it? Maybe I should say I love his portrayal of the character. That sounds better.

So, after the movie I asked my dad what he thought of Raúl.

Me: "So, what did you think of the guy who played Tony?"
Dad: "Which one was he?"
Me: "The cousin, the one who shot Jackie."
Dad: "Oh, I thought he was a really drugged out...drug addict."
Me: O_o
Dad: "He did a really good job. He did the part very well...Why?"
Me: "Remember when I told you about how I was going to see Company and you couldn't stop me because I wanted to see Raúl live?"
Dad: "..."
Me: "Raúl Esparza."
Dad: "When did you say that?"
Me: "Multiple times."
Dad: "..."
Me: "Do you remember the guy who you said sounded like Kermit on the cast recording I played for you?"
Dad: "Oh! Yes."
Me: "Him."
Dad: "You watched this movie for him? He had a small part!" *laughs*
Me: "I told you that you would laugh at me because of the reason I wanted to watch it..."
Dad: "Well, he did a good job anyway."

So, my dad liked him. Oh, and the cast recording was 'Tick, Tick...Boom!'.

Updated On: 7/3/06 at 11:41 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 11:45pm

LOL about sounding like Kermit. It's true!!

My dad kind of wanted to watch the movie, but then he decided it was too long, after I told him I had rented it because Raul was in it, and that's the only reason I wanted to see it. He was like "who?" and I told him "the guy I saw in Cincinnati." He was kind of like "oh, meh." I guess he didn't want to see me get all... wiggly?

I showed my mom his scenes, and she thought he was great. She asked me if this was his first movie, and if he was trained. She managed only to make two derogatory comments, one which I won't share and the other which was about the wrinkles on his forehead, but she said "he was really good, little Broadway actor!" like she was shocked that he could hold his own like that. She was really surprised at the way he just disappeared into the character, too. She said something about how he barely even sounded like himself, as well. She seemed to like him, and I'm glad.... especially since her opinions on the matter tend to fluctuate.

I, on the other hand, cannot get over him. He's so, so so so so so goooood.

Updated On: 7/3/06 at 11:45 PM

[LionessInWinter]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 1:17am

watching him act opposite Vin Diesel, the difference was absolutely breathtaking.

Pfft! A blind person could pick that out.

[gillygalls]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 11:44pm

See, now Em, I'm all hung up on the negative comment your mom said that you refuse to mention! It's not fair to say that then not share what it was!! Or maybe it's just me, lol.

Anyone working on screencaps of the movie?

Posted: 7/5/06 at 3:19am

I haven't had a chance to see Find Me Guilty yet, but I did buy Winter Passing just the other day, and the first preview was for "Find Me Guilty".

Needless to say, I jumped up in my seat and let out a shriek. *sigh* And he wasn't even IN the commercial, unless I somehow missed him in my haze of glee.

[gillygalls]

Posted: 7/5/06 at 9:51am

so, I am sitting here at work, completely bored out of my skull. I decided to look at some ebay auctions I'm interested in, and when those 30 seconds were up, I decided to search for random crapola. Have you ever searched Raúl's name in Ebay. Lots of interesting stuff. Take a look! :)

[To The Stage!]

Posted: 7/5/06 at 10:14am

*searches Ebay*

Hee, some of those pictures are funny =P

Updated On: 7/5/06 at 10:14 AM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/5/06 at 12:14pm

heh, when I was at Blockbuster with my mom the other day, a commercial came on the TV screens around the store for Find Me Guilty. I was like "MOM LOOK!!!!" really, really loud. And then I made her stand there and watch it. She was less-than amused, I must say.

[Mandi Moo]

Posted: 7/5/06 at 12:17pm

This is a smexy picture.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/5/06 at 12:18pm

He looks befuddled.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 7/5/06 at 12:26pm

Ooh.

I was listening to my Raul playlist this morning. I still love his version of "Not While I'm Around" so much.

[xoxRogue]

Posted: 7/5/06 at 12:34pm

I've been meaning to ask, when/where did Raul sing that?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/5/06 at 12:35pm

Broadway Under the Stars, three years ago.

[xoxRogue]

Posted: 7/5/06 at 12:36pm

Thank you.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/5/06 at 3:38pm

I'm making some screencaps. :)

[gillygalls]

Posted: 7/5/06 at 3:50pm

Where can I listen to "Not While I'm Around" a la Raúl? I would be most interested!

PS yey for screencaps!!!