We are in the thick of press tour season, because all the holiday movies want to get their press tours out of the way before Americans collectively unbutton our pants for the five weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Thus, this mash-up post of Unstoppable and Paddington in Peru.
First up, Jennifer Lopez. She has had what one might call A Year, but you have to admire the hustle that never quits, especially since Unstoppable will not move the needle much and definitely won’t net her an Oscar nomination (I reviewed it out of TIFF, in case you missed it).
I actually like her all-brown ensemble for an Unstoppable screening in New York over the weekend (it’s by Gucci). It has been unseasonably warm this fall, or rather, “new normal warm”, so the shorts and boots combo works. The sweater also looks cozy. She was also outside over the weekend, catching lunch with her son, Max.
Paddington in Peru, meanwhile, had its world premiere in Leicester Square over the weekend. The first two movies are highly regarded and beloved, this one is a bit of a question mark because director Paul King departed the franchise to make Wonka. Paddington in Peru is the feature directorial debut of Dougal Wilson, a commercial and music video director. This film also has a cast change, as Sally Hawkins did not return as Mrs. Brown, with Emily Mortimer taking over the role. Ben Whishaw, though, is still the voice of Paddington Bear.
Ben Whishaw is in his mid-forties, but even with a beard, he still looks so youthful. The oversized suit he’s wearing makes him look like a kid dressing up in his dad’s clothes (what every grown man wants to hear, I’m sure). The premiere also brought out Hugh Bonneville, Antonio Banderas, Emily Mortimer, and Olivia Colman, who stars as a guitar-playing nun. Perfect casting. And! Hugh Grant showed up! He can grouch all he wants, Phoenix Buchanan is a HUGE boon to his career, and he knows it. To his credit, he’s never hidden his pride in being part of the Paddington legacy, it just always comes with a sheepish flinch, because he’s Hugh Grant. Hugh Grant of Paddington Bear 2, always and forever.
Check out the trailer for Paddington in Peru:
