Latest news with #MidnightinParis
Calgary Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Star of Vancouver-shot Stick Owen Wilson talks golf, gambling and the Grouse Grind
For a few months last summer, there seemed to be daily Owen Wilson sightings in the Lower Mainland. Article content Photos of Wilson riding his bike, hiking the Grouse Grind, or out enjoying a meal were everywhere. The Wedding Crashers, The Royal Tenenbaums and Midnight in Paris star was in Vancouver filming his new 10-part series Stick, which premiers on the streamer Apple TV+ on June 4. Article content 'I felt like people sort of would almost go, 'Oh god, there he is again',' said Wilson during a Zoom interview with his Stick co-star Judy Greer. 'It certainly felt, by the end of five months, that it wasn't, you know, how it felt in the beginning. When people are a little bit excited you're there.' Article content As for the Grouse Grind, Wilson said he was a regular on the challenging hiking trail, clocking his best time of 53 minutes just before the series wrapped shooting last September. Article content 'I don't know if there's a more beautiful place, you know, certainly in the summer,' said Wilson about Vancouver. 'I was so happy we shot there, because for a while it was going to be in Atlanta, which is nice. But Atlanta in the summer, it's hot, a totally different experience.' Article content Article content Article content Article content 'I've worked there so much over the years. I love it,' said Greer (Ant-Man and The Wasp, Adaptation). 'A great crew. Everyone I've ever worked with there from small-budget things to big-budget things — everyone in production there is so talented.' Article content In Stick, Wilson plays Pryce Cahill, an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer whose career prematurely missed the cut 20 years ago. After his marriage to Amber-Linn (Greer) fails and he gets fired from his sports store job, Pryce discovers young-gun golfer Santi Wheeler (Peter Dager) and manages to convince the troubled 17-year-old and his single mom (Mariana Treviño) that he can help him make it to the show. Pryce convinces his former caddy and longtime friend Mitts (Marc Maron) to come along for the ride. Well, actually supply the ride in the shape of a motor home, to ferry the newly formed rag tag team of misfits toward golf greatness. Article content Article content 'Someone mentioned it reminded them of The Wizard of Oz, about this group of people who were travelling together that all had an empty space that they needed to fill. A hole they were trying to fill, something they were trying to get. And they were going to be together and try to get it,' said Greer. 'I thought that was really, really beautiful.' Article content Article content While the story could have used any sport, show creator and showrunner Jason Keller chose golf because it offered him a slate upon which to draw the human condition. Article content 'A lot of people are struggling, you know, with emotional baggage,' said Keller over Zoom. 'When I see golfers, especially at the elite level, out there alone on a golf course, that's what I see. I see someone who is very cut off from everybody around them, struggling with their mindset, hoping to sort of get it right on the golf course. Both those worlds kind of seem to fit together.'
Vancouver Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Star of Vancouver-shot Stick Owen Wilson talks golf, gambling and the Grouse Grind
For a few months last summer, there seemed to be daily Owen Wilson sightings in the Lower Mainland. Photos of Wilson riding his bike, hiking the Grouse Grind, or out enjoying a meal were everywhere. The Wedding Crashers, The Royal Tenenbaums and Midnight in Paris star was in Vancouver filming his new 10-part series Stick, which premiers on the streamer Apple TV+ on June 4. 'I felt like people sort of would almost go, 'Oh god, there he is again',' said Wilson during a Zoom interview with his Stick co-star Judy Greer. 'It certainly felt, by the end of five months, that it wasn't, you know, how it felt in the beginning. When people are a little bit excited you're there.' As for the Grouse Grind, Wilson said he was a regular on the challenging hiking trail, clocking his best time of 53 minutes just before the series wrapped shooting last September. 'I don't know if there's a more beautiful place, you know, certainly in the summer,' said Wilson about Vancouver . 'I was so happy we shot there, because for a while it was going to be in Atlanta, which is nice. But Atlanta in the summer, it's hot, a totally different experience.' Greer too was quick to jump on the Vancouver-is-great bandwagon. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'I've worked there so much over the years. I love it,' said Greer (Ant-Man and The Wasp, Adaptation). 'A great crew. Everyone I've ever worked with there from small-budget things to big-budget things — everyone in production there is so talented.' In Stick, Wilson plays Pryce Cahill, an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer whose career prematurely missed the cut 20 years ago. After his marriage to Amber-Linn (Greer) fails and he gets fired from his sports store job, Pryce discovers young-gun golfer Santi Wheeler (Peter Dager) and manages to convince the troubled 17-year-old and his single mom (Mariana Treviño) that he can help him make it to the show. Pryce convinces his former caddy and longtime friend Mitts ( Marc Maron ) to come along for the ride. Well, actually supply the ride in the shape of a motor home, to ferry the newly formed rag tag team of misfits toward golf greatness. Stick kind of defies a straightforward label as it successfully combines the family dramedy, road trip, buddy comedy, coming-of-age and comeback genres. 'Someone mentioned it reminded them of The Wizard of Oz, about this group of people who were travelling together that all had an empty space that they needed to fill. A hole they were trying to fill, something they were trying to get. And they were going to be together and try to get it,' said Greer. 'I thought that was really, really beautiful.' While the story could have used any sport, show creator and showrunner Jason Keller chose golf because it offered him a slate upon which to draw the human condition. 'A lot of people are struggling, you know, with emotional baggage,' said Keller over Zoom. 'When I see golfers, especially at the elite level, out there alone on a golf course, that's what I see. I see someone who is very cut off from everybody around them, struggling with their mindset, hoping to sort of get it right on the golf course. Both those worlds kind of seem to fit together.' For the golfing sequences, the production tee'd up a handful of golf courses in the Langley and Surrey area before wrapping up the show with the Pitt Meadows Golf Club standing in for a PGA event. Lots of locals were put to work as actors, golfing doubles, background actors and, of course, crew. Included on that list was Richmond teaching pro and former PGA Tour Canada golfer Nathan Leonhardt, who was the golf consultant for the series. 'I just like the guy a lot. We came to rely on him a lot,' said Keller. 'I really empowered him to speak up when he thought we weren't getting the golf right. He was key to the entire production, all the way through postproduction.' Leonhardt worked closely with Wilson. And, when the cameras weren't rolling, they could be found making some friendly golf-related wagers. 'Not surprisingly, he won money from me. But it doesn't take much for me to sort of want to bet on something,' said Wilson. 'So, in between takes when you're filming on a golf course, you got plenty of opportunities to bet. I'm just glad I didn't lose more money … I felt like I beat Nathan by just losing as little money as I did lose.' Losing only a little money to a pro is impressive when you consider Wilson headed into this job having only played games with his family and completing just one 18-hole round. He left the shoot, he figures, with a 14 handicap and is now eagerly trying to lower that number. 'I had never thought that I'd become a golfer. I thought I'd kind of missed that boat. Both my brothers are good. (I thought) they're too far along. I can never catch them. But I've learned that, oh yeah, I can catch them,' said Wilson. 'The idea that I got to sort of be a part of this show and tell this story and learn to play golf, in a way, kind of makes it one of the best creative experiences of my life.' Maron, a veteran standup comedian, actor and author, and the host of one of the original and still very successful podcasts, WTF with Marc Maron, didn't have any history with golf. Luckily for him, his role only required him to talk a good game. 'The first thing that went through my mind was, why me? I don't know anything about golf, really,' said Maron when asked over Zoom if he was a golfer. 'But you know, when it became clear that my role was not essentially about golf, that it was about the emotional counterpart to a friendship that has gone on for decades that was not necessarily strained, but definitely has had its ups and downs, and that these are a couple of guys that have been through a lot in life, on their own and together, I thought that was a very interesting dynamic, and something I wanted to be part of and to explore. 'Also, I'm not that unlike the guy.' For Keller, Maron was indeed like that guy. 'Marc is the only person I wanted for the role. I met him for coffee, and I think he was really sizing me up when we met,' said Keller. 'I think he was sort of wondering what kind of collaborator I would be with him. And I think I was very upfront with him, and I was throughout the development and shooting of the show, that I wanted his input. He's a very smart guy. He has a really interesting point of view, very funny … that character developed certain colours that weren't on the page because Mark gave his input.' When asked about the perils of being a comedian faced with other people's writing, Maron said: 'My policy is that, if the joke fits the character and it's not there just to sort of button a scene, I'll work with it.' And if he thought the jokes didn't work? 'There were definitely times where I thought that the jokes didn't fit the character, or were not really necessary,' said Maron, who just taped his latest HBO comedy special a few weeks ago. 'It's something that I thought about a lot when reading the scripts, because Mitts was a supporting character. In order to keep him real, I would opt for fewer jokes. And Jason and Chris Moynihan, we would talk about it, and we would sort of navigate that when there was an issue. 'Because I'd rather play it for the emotion than the joke. Because I don't think it's really that type of show. It's not a joke show.' While shooting Stick, Maron like Wilson, was spotted around Vancouver including onstage at a Jokes Please! show back in July. Fans of Maron's WTF know he is less than happy about what has transpired politically in the U.S. and has made it clear that he's open to making a move north. He has set the wheels in motion for gaining permanent residency in Canada. 'I'm waiting. I just heard from my guy today,' said Maron when asked about his PR status. 'The world is falling apart a little bit. I just hope that I have that option. I love Vancouver. I had a nice time up there. That was definitely the longest time I'd spent there. I did a lot of comedy.' And he also did the Grouse Grind with Wilson. 'I did it once,' said Maron. 'Owen didn't tell me that he had done it a lot. So, he had already adapted to it … he's just kind of going right up it like it was nothing. And I hike a lot, but that's hard. 'I was very mad at Owen for pretending like (he'd) never done it before.' Dgee@
Sydney Morning Herald
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Parisians shattered my stereotype about them. How typically rude
When you think of France, what exactly do you think of? Pretentiousness? Croissants? Perhaps Serge Gainsbourg smoking (although not for long since a nationwide smoking ban has just been announced). For me, it's Owen Wilson walking beside La Seine. But that is perhaps a result of watching Midnight in Paris at 16 instead of going out and doing normal teenage things like getting drunk and vomiting on my friend's sofa. Maybe you think of the kind of Parisian disdain that has long been the nation's stereotype. It's a portrayal that Netflix's wildly successful Emily in Paris has leaned into, to the point where a character in the show's third season says: 'The French are just Italians in a bad mood.' On a recent trip to France and Italy, my first time visiting, I was curious to see if this claim rang true. Like many, I arrived in Paris full of assumptions: that the French would be aloof and allergic to tourists. My partner and I expected to be made fun of for our attempts to order coffee, over-reliance on tote bags and out-of-style sneakers. Instead, we got the most welcoming 'bonjour' I had ever heard. It was at a boutique store that neither me nor my partner had any financial right to be in. And yet, the 'assistante commerciale' was unbelievably gentle. She helped us find something in our budget (a key ring) and complimented my girlfriend's jacket, asking if it was vintage (it was). On the metro system, I thought that would be the moment we would finally meet the sinister Parisians who pushed and shoved … And yet, we didn't. Even when we went to the rooftop bar of the gorgeous department store Printemps, I thought about how 'touristy' my partner and I must have looked as we were taking photos of our coffee, and the Eiffel Tower. Instead, a local simply said, 'It is a beautiful view, huh?' Loading Around the corner from our hotel in the 9th Arrondissement, there was a bar run by a gentleman called Robert. I couldn't understand why he was so kind. My girlfriend whispered to me, 'Your hair is looking a lot like Paul Mescal's these days … Maybe he thinks you're him?' He took us through his bar, showing us the kitchen, offering shots, conversing throughout, as if we were not just locals, but friends (or as the French say, 'poto', a loose translation of our term 'mate'). He was being like this well before I told him that my name was also Robert, a revelation that, as you can imagine, called for even more celebration. I asked him about the stereotype of the French, the whole notion they were 'Italians in a bad mood'. Robert was not surprised by the perception, but remarked that this social flaw was actively being 'dealt with' by the younger people of the city. His view was that the old French stereotype is a result of the older, more 'conservative' generations. He said he employs many people who were not born in Paris, let alone France, and how this growth in both diversity and community has opened the potential for a kinder, more inclusive cultural shift. I found the pinnacle of this shift in the Latin Quarter. Across La Seine, the 5th Arrondissement, is home to a buffet of different cultures, all intertwined and connected. There are pizza restaurants owned by off-the-boat Italians that serve every type of pork under the Tuscan sun, right next to a Halal kebab shop. It is a fascinating area, not too dissimilar to Melbourne's Sydney Road, albeit … no offence, a little prettier.
The Age
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
Parisians shattered my stereotype about them. How typically rude
When you think of France, what exactly do you think of? Pretentiousness? Croissants? Perhaps Serge Gainsbourg smoking (although not for long since a nationwide smoking ban has just been announced). For me, it's Owen Wilson walking beside La Seine. But that is perhaps a result of watching Midnight in Paris at 16 instead of going out and doing normal teenage things like getting drunk and vomiting on my friend's sofa. Maybe you think of the kind of Parisian disdain that has long been the nation's stereotype. It's a portrayal that Netflix's wildly successful Emily in Paris has leaned into, to the point where a character in the show's third season says: 'The French are just Italians in a bad mood.' On a recent trip to France and Italy, my first time visiting, I was curious to see if this claim rang true. Like many, I arrived in Paris full of assumptions: that the French would be aloof and allergic to tourists. My partner and I expected to be made fun of for our attempts to order coffee, over-reliance on tote bags and out-of-style sneakers. Instead, we got the most welcoming 'bonjour' I had ever heard. It was at a boutique store that neither me nor my partner had any financial right to be in. And yet, the 'assistante commerciale' was unbelievably gentle. She helped us find something in our budget (a key ring) and complimented my girlfriend's jacket, asking if it was vintage (it was). On the metro system, I thought that would be the moment we would finally meet the sinister Parisians who pushed and shoved … And yet, we didn't. Even when we went to the rooftop bar of the gorgeous department store Printemps, I thought about how 'touristy' my partner and I must have looked as we were taking photos of our coffee, and the Eiffel Tower. Instead, a local simply said, 'It is a beautiful view, huh?' Loading Around the corner from our hotel in the 9th Arrondissement, there was a bar run by a gentleman called Robert. I couldn't understand why he was so kind. My girlfriend whispered to me, 'Your hair is looking a lot like Paul Mescal's these days … Maybe he thinks you're him?' He took us through his bar, showing us the kitchen, offering shots, conversing throughout, as if we were not just locals, but friends (or as the French say, 'poto', a loose translation of our term 'mate'). He was being like this well before I told him that my name was also Robert, a revelation that, as you can imagine, called for even more celebration. I asked him about the stereotype of the French, the whole notion they were 'Italians in a bad mood'. Robert was not surprised by the perception, but remarked that this social flaw was actively being 'dealt with' by the younger people of the city. His view was that the old French stereotype is a result of the older, more 'conservative' generations. He said he employs many people who were not born in Paris, let alone France, and how this growth in both diversity and community has opened the potential for a kinder, more inclusive cultural shift. I found the pinnacle of this shift in the Latin Quarter. Across La Seine, the 5th Arrondissement, is home to a buffet of different cultures, all intertwined and connected. There are pizza restaurants owned by off-the-boat Italians that serve every type of pork under the Tuscan sun, right next to a Halal kebab shop. It is a fascinating area, not too dissimilar to Melbourne's Sydney Road, albeit … no offence, a little prettier.
Express Tribune
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Movies where the city feels like the main character
In cinema, the backdrop often plays a crucial role, but sometimes, the city itself becomes as integral to the story as the characters. Whether it's the neon-lit streets of Tokyo or the romantic boulevards of Paris, certain films do more than just use their location as scenery—they turn the city into a character, alive with its own rhythm, vibe, and mood. The setting becomes an extension of the narrative, shaping the story, influencing the characters' decisions, and becoming a character in its own right. Let's explore six films where the city is not just a backdrop, but a pivotal force that drives the action. 1. Lost in Translation (2003) – Tokyo Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation is the perfect example of a city becoming a main character. Tokyo, with its blend of modernity and tradition, is as much a part of the film as Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson's characters. The neon lights, the bustling streets, the serene temples—Tokyo's isolation and overwhelming energy mirror the emotions of the protagonists, who find themselves navigating a foreign world. In Lost in Translation, the city's urban landscape serves as a metaphor for their disconnection and eventual bond. 2. Midnight in Paris (2011) – Paris Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris is a love letter to the City of Lights. In this romantic fantasy, Paris is not only the backdrop but also a timeless character that bridges the past and the present. From the charming streets of Montmartre to the elegant beauty of the Seine, Paris shapes the film's sense of nostalgia and wonder. The city almost has a magical quality, drawing Owen Wilson's character deeper into his own romanticized past. Paris isn't just where the story happens—it's the soul of the story itself. 3. In Bruges (2008) – Bruges Martin McDonagh's In Bruges gives the small Belgian city of Bruges a dark, ironic persona. Known for its medieval architecture and picturesque canals, the city's serene beauty contrasts sharply with the story's violent undertones. Bruges feels like an eerie, almost claustrophobic character in the film, as if its winding streets and historic buildings are closing in on the troubled hitmen at its heart. The city's mood shifts with the characters' internal struggles, turning Bruges from a place of beauty into a place of reflection and consequence. 4. Ratatouille (2007) – Paris In Pixar's Ratatouille, Paris becomes the ultimate culinary kingdom, where food and creativity reign supreme. The city, with its charming streets and grandiose architecture, is not just a backdrop to Remy's story—it's an inspiration. The bustling markets, the kitchens of Gusteau's restaurant, and the hidden nooks of Paris offer Remy a stage for his culinary dreams. Through Remy's eyes, Paris becomes a vibrant, ever-evolving entity, fueling his passion and guiding his journey to success. 5. Before Sunrise (1995) – Vienna Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise is an ode to Vienna as much as it is a love story between two strangers. The city's historic beauty—its cobbled streets, cafes, and iconic architecture—creates a dream-like atmosphere that perfectly mirrors the spontaneous connection between Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy's characters. Vienna is not just a place where they meet; it is a character that gently pulls them through the night, offering both a sense of adventure and intimacy. The city plays a quiet, yet essential role in their brief but transformative journey together. 6. La La Land (2016) – Los Angeles Damien Chazelle's La La Land reimagines Los Angeles as more than just a city—it's a character in its own right. The sprawling urban landscape, the iconic sunsets, and the energy of the city reflect the dreams and struggles of its two protagonists, played by Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. The vibrant streets of LA are where dreams are born, but also where they sometimes collide. The city is a canvas for the characters' aspirations, disappointments, and eventual growth. In La La Land, Los Angeles is a city full of opportunities, but also full of the harsh realities of following one's dreams.
