I had the opportunity to meet the talented young actor last night at a screening of his new movie, The Lookout.



If you don't know who he is, he played Tommy on 3rd Rock from the Sun, and was in 10 Things I Hate About You. He has recently starred in independent films that take on darker, more controversial subjects than most mainstream Hollywood movies. He says he chooses roles based on a good script, rather than if it will be big at the box office. I really enjoyed his recent films Brick, and the tragic Mysterious Skin.

The Lookout was a great movie as well, but the director said it was opening in only 300 theatres. If it is playing near you, I suggest you check it out. Joe plays a young man named Chris who lives with a serious brain injury. He caused the car accident that brought on the injuries, so he not only lives with new disabilities, but overwhelming guilt (2 of his friend were killed in the accident). He is trying to put his life back together, when he gets invloved with some shady people who want to include him in a bank heist. It's got something for everyone, because it is a thriller with plenty of drama, a little action, and even some laughs. His character has a blind roommate named Lewis (played by Jeff Bridges) who was absolutely hilarious! He was definitely a highlight of the film.

Anyway, after the screening, the director Scott Frank, and co-star Matthew Goode joined Joe for some questions and answers from the audience. I was WAY too nervous to ask a question, so I just sat there. One thing that struck me about Joseph, was that he was so NORMAL. He was very laid back, and always had a smile on his face. I was expecting him to be more dark and brooding, so I was surprised to see this happy-go-lucky guy in a brown hoodie and Converse shoes. After the Q&A, I almost walked out the door and went home, but I thought that there was no way I could leave without at least saying hello. I am a big fan of his work, and I wanted to tell him that.

I tried my hardest not to be shy, and walked up to the front where he was greeting the audience members. I was impressed by how politely he introduced himself to everyone, shook their hands, and signed autographs. By the time it was my turn, I had a few butterflies in my stomach. I somehow managed to stick out my lil' hand for a handshake. I then told him how I had been a fan since Angels in the Outfield and that my mom and I always watched 3rd Rock together. He just smiled and said thank you. All I had for him to autograph was a purple post it from work, but he went ahead and signed it anyway. When I told him how to spell my name, he said, "I like it!" and I blurted out, "I like your movies!" I felt like such a big dork! But he was sweet, and shook my hand again before I said goodbye. I'm sure the people waiting in line to meet him could tell how hapy I was from the stupified look on my face.

So yes folks, I am very very smooth around men, especially when they are talented, charming, and kind. I'm glad that I worked up the guts to meet him, because he is a really wonderful guy. Something tells me that his career will keep growing and growing.
[Edited 3/14/07 16:10pm]

Jeff Gordon!

SureThing said:

Sorry, not the same guy!

He was in Halloween H20 too. That movie Brick came on the other night.

UCantHavaDaMango said:

This pic is hilarious.

"I have to have my picture taken?"

JustErin said:

Yeah I know! I've seen so many moody photos of him that I was expecting him to be brooding in the corner last night! Instead, he was all smiles and very friendly.

Wasnt he in ´Brick´? I found that film really hard to follow at times but it was cool. A film Id like to see again.

JDINTERACTIVE said:

Yeah, it came on the other night. It's coming back on again tonight on Cinemax.

Whoa, does he look skinny.

I like him. Glad he's still around.

He looks like he could break away from the "child actor" and have a great career as an adult.


No Imago, not porn....

I started to admire his work after reading an interesting interview he did. (Back when 3rd Rock was on air)

He stated he liked all kinds of music,especially old school R&B like Marvin Gaye.

he's turning into a rather delicious looking young man!

I love Joseph Gordon!!!!


M

emm said:

He is! He actually looked quite young in person. His emo kid outfit probably didn't help! Still, he has a gorgeous smile, soft hands, and a really kind and gentle presence. I wouldn't mind meeting him again. It's too bad I didn't have enough time to talk music with him, because I hear he plays guitar and sings...

Wow that's very exciting. I thought he was amazing in Brick and Mysterious Skin. I can't wait to see The Lookout. How was the movie anyway?

Cool!

I first became aware of him when he played David Collins in the 1991 revival of Dark Shadows. I still bug my family with his most memorable line; (while bouncing a ball) "If I catch this one, Daphne isn't dead" said in a very sing-songy child's voice.

In fact, you can see the scene here, second video :

http://darkshadows-resurr...ideos.html

waw2002 said:

It was great! It was well written, well cast, and well shot. It took place in a small farming town, and you could almost feel it closing in on you as the movie progressed. It had some very thrilling moments that had me on the edge of my seat. There were some spots when the audience gasped all at once. Everyone applauded when the credits started to roll. It touched me on many levels, because deals with a man's struggle with his disability, and his struggle to do what was right. The criminals in the film offer him money and power (something he hadn't had since before his accident), but he has to screw over people who trust him. I really want to see it again. I highly recommend it.

I used to love him in third rock, his face really changed. weird cuz i saw him last night on tv and he had some weight on his face.

UCantHavaDaMango said:

A good portion of that movie was shot in and around my apartment block.

I'm not really familiar with him as an actor, but I am a big admirer of Mysterious Skin - just watched it last night again, in fact. I doubt this film will make the theatres here, but I'll be sure to track it down when it makes it to dvd.

UCantHavaDaMango said:

I will definately see it. It looks really good, and he keeps getting better. How did you get to see a preview and meet him anyway? He seems so different now from 3rd Rock. I get the feeling that he is really tall now.

waw2002 said:

I got the ticket to the preview entirely by chance! I'm an office assistant at an oceanography firm, and I'm the one who opens all the mail. A couple weeks ago, my office started getting these movie screening vouchers for independent films. I have no idea why, because we have nothing to do with arts or entertainment. We must have got on someone's mailing list. On Monday, I got a ticket for The Lookout. When I saw that Joseph Gordon-Levitt was in it, I thought it would be nice to see it. Yesterday, I looked at the ticket again, and it said there would be a Q&A session with Scott Frank (the director) and actors Matthew Goode, and Joseph Gordon Levitt! When I read that, I just HAD to go. I couldn't believe he was actually in Seattle. I was really excited, and even stashed a pen in my purse just in case I could get an autograph.

When the Q&A started, I began to think that there wouldn't be a chance to go up and meet him. He and the other 2 guys sat up front on stools, and took everyone's questions in a nice orderly fashion. I figured he would just slip out the back door after the audience left. Thank goodness I was wrong. As soon as the Q&A ended, people started walking up to him, to say hi and get an autograph. I totally wiggled my way up there, and waited my turn to talk to him. It was awesome.

I think he might be taller than when he was on 3rd Rock, but he's smaller than I thought he would be. I read on IMDB that he's 5'10" which seemed about right, and he's quite thin. I'm 5'3", so he is still much taller than I am. He is still very youthful looking, which could work for him. He'll be able to play a high school student when he's 40. J/K!

damosuzuki said:

Really? That's awesome! I was wondering if they shot it on location. I was too nervous to ask.

I'm sure it won't be long before it's on DVD. It's only opening in 300 theatres, so it has to make money somehow. If you do see it, I'd like to know which parts were filmed in your neighborhood!

UCantHavaDaMango said:

They shot here for two straight weeks last year - I believe it was during late spring, though my memory's a little foggy on dates. They actually offered to put me up in a hotel and provide me with a per diem for the duration of their stay as they were shooting in the suites directly underneath me, but I took a pass as I was too busy at the time to put up with the disruption.

I'd heard horror stories from a neighbor who had worked a little in the film industry about film crews taking over residences and making tenant's lives absolutely miserable, but I have no complaints whatsoever. In fact, I created more disruptions for them than they did for me. I was playing music on their last night of shooting exteriors at a fairly low volume. Apparently it was just loud enough for them to be able to pick it up, so they had to send some poor guy around to all the suites to find out who was making the racket. He was thoroughly polite about it though, and even asked me to come down to the set for a drink, but it was fairly late at that point so I took a pass.
[Edited 3/14/07 20:04pm]

jtfolden said:

wow! that's quite a site you have there!

madartista said:

Thanks... It's always in various, slow stages of construction. It's kind of my "thing to do when there's nothing else to do" hobby.

jtfolden said:

Cool clip! He was such a cutie! ( I think he's still pretty cute now )

He sure screamed like a little girl at the end there!

my best bud has become good friends with JDL. he says he's a real down to earth guy. i think its cool that such an unconventional looking guy is on the verge of becoming a star.

koodos to him.

UCantHavaDaMango said:

Yeah, he was a little screamer. I think he was barely 9 when they filmed that.

sosgemini said:

His career reminds me of Johnny Depp's a little bit. (Except for the fact that Johnny wasn't a child star) They both became well known on TV shows, and did a few teen movies to start out with. Then, they took on edgier roles in movies that weren't part of mainstream Hollywood. I can see Joe's career taking off in a similar way that Johnny's did. He's brings so much to his characters, and to his movies, that I don't think the big movie guys will be able to ignore him.

(although, I have to admit, I kind of liked it better when Johnny wasn't so popular, but that's a whole different thread...)
[Edited 3/14/07 21:30pm]

His career reminds me of Johnny Depp's a little bit. (Except for the fact that Johnny wasn't a child star) They both became well known on TV shows, and did a few teen movies to start out with. Then, they took on edgier roles in movies that weren't part of mainstream Hollywood. I can see Joe's career taking off in a similar way that Johnny's did. He's brings so much to his characters, and to his movies, that I don't think the big movie guys will be able to ignore him.

(although, I have to admit, I kind of liked it better when Johnny wasn't so popular, but that's a whole different thread...)
[Edited 3/14/07 21:30pm]
[/quote]


That's exactly what I was thinking. Plus, he's a great actor, so he'll be working for years, even if he doesn't become a huge star. I just love the character choices he's making right now. Plus, he looks so different now people won't think he's that kid from 3rd rock from the sun. My friends didn't even know it was him when I showed them Brick.