George and Amal Clooney in London 9.1.17

by party animal - not! Mon 09 Jan 2017, 21:34

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Amal Clooney just shook my hand so I am NEVER washing it again. George was there too. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
— Erin Niimi Longhurst (@ErinNiimi) [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

by it's me Mon 09 Jan 2017, 21:42

It it was better
With no pics

by ladybugcngc Mon 09 Jan 2017, 21:51

I did not see Amal, it's nice to see George Clooney out and about.

by ladybugcngc Mon 09 Jan 2017, 21:54

party animal - not! wrote:[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

How pregnant was she? bounce

by annemarie Mon 09 Jan 2017, 21:58

You can see Amal talking to the women just her head though. It's good to see them out and about.

If you click on the picture you get a better view she doesn't look pregnant to me from what I can see.

by party animal - not! Mon 09 Jan 2017, 22:03

They were at a Netflix UK 'White Helmets' documentary screening

by annemarie Mon 09 Jan 2017, 22:13

Does it look George has a goatee to anyone else or is the lighting?

by party animal - not! Mon 09 Jan 2017, 22:28

Yep. Keeping warm maybe!? - hat in hand by the look of it

by Donnamarie Mon 09 Jan 2017, 22:47

Looks to me like the goatee is back. Amal does not look pregnant to me.

Thanks for the post PAN. Amal's style website just posted the twitter pics too.

by ladybugcngc Mon 09 Jan 2017, 23:00

I see Amal on her style website. It really is nice to see them out and about.

This is an exceptional article; Loved It.

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by Donnamarie Mon 09 Jan 2017, 23:56

Thanks for the article ladybug. It's the first time I've read any comments from George regarding the election..
It's a good read!

by ladybugcngc Mon 09 Jan 2017, 23:57

Donnamarie wrote:Thanks for the article ladybug. It's the first time I've read any comments from George regarding the election..
It's a good read!

Agreed

by party animal - not! Tue 10 Jan 2017, 00:24

Here's another

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Apparently tonight's London event was sponsored by the Clooney Foundation for Justice........

by ladybugcngc Tue 10 Jan 2017, 01:00

party animal - not! wrote:Here's another

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Apparently tonight's London event was sponsored by the Clooney Foundation for Justice........

Freedom of speech.

by party animal - not! Tue 10 Jan 2017, 01:55

Another interview with George from the event

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by party animal - not! Tue 10 Jan 2017, 02:02

and the Hollywood Reporter......

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by Fingersandtoes Tue 10 Jan 2017, 05:03

Lovely to see them, and i love these interviews.

by Sevens Tue 10 Jan 2017, 08:21

George said it pretty well. Happy New Year the Clooneys! Good to see the pictures of them.

by party animal - not! Tue 10 Jan 2017, 10:48

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by Tulips Tue 10 Jan 2017, 11:27

Couple more pics here.

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by annemarie Tue 10 Jan 2017, 13:01

Looking good George. I know others hate the face hair but hey I like it.

by SideEyeSally Tue 10 Jan 2017, 13:03

Agreed, Donnamarie. Amal doesn't look pregnant to me either, but time will tell. She has worn this dress before with the lace thigh-high boots (remember the photo showing her raised legs in the back seat of the car).

by Sevens Tue 10 Jan 2017, 13:04

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Isn't she pregnant?!!! Shocked

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by carolhathaway Tue 10 Jan 2017, 14:01

Sevens,
in the second pic it looks like she might be pregnant - or the dress has an unflattering shape. But since she's always been very slim, I would say yes...

by Katiedot Tue 10 Jan 2017, 14:20

Thank you so much, Sevens, for making my life easier and posting pictures!

Amal Clooney wears pretty floral mini as she cosies up to husband George... ahead of impassioned political speech at The White Helmets screening
By Rebecca Davison for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 08:19 GMT, 10 January 2017 | UPDATED: 10:05 GMT, 10 January 2017

They're one of Hollywood's greatest power couples - and George and Amal Clooney joined forces on Monday night at the screening of The White Helmets.
The real-life movie, available on Netflix, shows the effects of daily airstrikes as they pound civilian targets in Syria, while a group of indomitable first responders risk their lives to rescue victims from the rubble.
George, 55, and Amal, 38, support the film and arrived at the event at London's Bvlgari hotel to support the cause.

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Power couple: Amal Clooney wore a pretty floral mini as she cosied up to husband George... at The White Helmets screening at the Bvlgari hotel on Monday night
Amal looked incredible, dressed in a beautiful floral mini dress for the occasion, with black tights and black heeled boots.

She wore her locks in loose curls as she cosied up to her movie star husband, who was suited and booted.
Talking at a reception after the screening, George said on freedom of press: 'In the United States, in our Constitution, it doesn't guarantee political parties, it doesn't guarantee much, it doesn't guarantee journalism...
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Important issue: The couple were supporting Netflix movie, The White Helmet, which shows the effects of daily airstrikes as they pound civilian targets in Syria, while a group of indomitable first responders risk their lives to rescue victims from the rubble
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Iconic: Amal (right) looked incredible, dressed in a beautiful floral mini dress for the occasion, with black tights and black heeled boots as she joined the director Orlando von Einsiedel (left)
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Looking good: She wore her locks in loose curls as she cosied up to her movie star husband, who was suited and booted

'[President] Jefferson talked about whether [he would choose] a government without free press or a free press without a government, he'd take a free press without a government. It was that important. It is the Fourth Estate for a reason.
'It watches over these other branches... The reality is that bad things happen when you have the lights turned off. You have to have the lights on. You have to be able to see what's going on, and if you can't...
'All around the world, you turn the lights out and you don't see what's happening - that's what the bad guys want. They want to be able to act when you can't see.
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Talking at a reception after the screening, George said on freedom of press: 'In the United States, in our Constitution, it doesn't guarantee political parties, it doesn't guarantee much, it doesn't guarantee journalism...'

'When you turn the lights on and you put the camera out there and you get in the faces of all of this and show what it really is and show that these are human beings, these aren't just names and numbers and statistics.
'These are actual human beings who are suffering and living and surviving and caring for one another.
'Then what you're doing is spectacular and is so important and is the frontline of what we all consider the most important job in the world. So thank you for what you do.'
The movie, directed by Orlando von Einsiedel is out now.
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Style sorted: Vogue's Editor-In-Chief Alexandra Shulman and producer of the film Joanna Natasegara were also present
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Superstar: Actor Douglas Booth also made an appearance at the event

by Katiedot Tue 10 Jan 2017, 14:27

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MOVIE NIGHT
[size=36]George Clooney hits the town for date night with wife Amal as they attend charity screening of Netflix documentary in London[/size]

Hollywood actor and his partner looked happier than ever as they headed to the event

BY LOUISE RANDELL, SENIOR SHOWBIZ REPORTER

10th January 2017, 11:19 am

GEORGE Clooney hit the town with his wife Amal for a date night at a charity screening of a new Netflix documentary in London.
The couple turned out for the unveiling of The White Helmet, which was held in aid of their charity The Clooney Foundation For Justice.

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GETTY IMAGES
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George and Amal Clooney headed to a special screening of a Netflix documentary
George, 55, and Amal, 38, mingled with guests including the movie’s Oscar-nominated director Orlando von Einsiedel during the special screening at the Bvlgari Hotel in London last night.
Amal wore a pretty floral dress over winter tights, and her Hollywood star husband looked suave in a black suit.
The documentary tells the story of the Syrian Civil Defense, better known as the White Helmets.

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GETTY IMAGES
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The actor and his wife hosted a screening of the film for their charity
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GETTY IMAGES
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The married couple looked happier than ever at the event

by carolhathaway Tue 10 Jan 2017, 14:32

At the event George talked about the most moving moment of Obama's presidency:

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by Sevens Tue 10 Jan 2017, 14:42

carolhathaway wrote:At the event George talked about the most moving moment of Obama's presidency:

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by Donnamarie Tue 10 Jan 2017, 15:11

carolhathaway wrote:At the event George talked about the most moving moment of Obama's presidency:

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It's my most memorable and moving moment too. That event and his response to the Sandy Hook massacre vividly stand out in my miind.

by Sevens Tue 10 Jan 2017, 16:46

Anyway if she really is pregnant with twins, George needs to feed her regularly over the winter! Two babies, triple food.

by party animal - not! Tue 10 Jan 2017, 16:52

Lainey gossip

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by Sevens Tue 10 Jan 2017, 17:08

And I also notice her relatively shorter heels...

by PigPen Tue 10 Jan 2017, 17:24

Her face is some of the photos do show signs of pregnancy (COH ladies- know what I mean??)

On the other hand-in the photo on this page just below
BY LOUISE RANDELL, SENIOR SHOWBIZ REPORTER, George looks dazed/drugged and/or down right goofy.

Maybe they both have had the flu, had a quick romp in the back of the SUV enroute to the event, both hung-over.

What I do find interesting is that after all the hype and hysteria this past week in the press- no one in the press
actually addresses the story head-on. Only lainey gives mention of water sipping.

Did George threaten everyone not to mention it, does his wrath stretch that far? If so- why did the Daily Star run the story in the first place? So many questions and not enough interest to actually lose sleep over it . Sigh

by Way2Old4Dis Tue 10 Jan 2017, 20:36

Back to the White Helmets...

Here's my take. A story may be inspiring, or heroic, or unique, but that does not necessarily make it good movie material. If there is a particular rescue worker with a compelling personal story that shines a light on the work, that's one thing. But telling the story of the work itself... a good news feature, but not a good movie.

Which brings me to this. I think George has lost the balance between 'shining a light' and making entertaining movies. Feature narrative movies can be both informational/educational and entertaining, but it's tricky, and if you go in with the intention to primarily inform, you're in trouble. I think our man has gotten too concerned with doing important and impressive things to balance it with the creative force necessary for making popular movies.

The line for vilification starts on the right.

by party animal - not! Tue 10 Jan 2017, 21:10

Mmm, you may be right. Let's see how Surbicon turns out. But he's obviously deeply impressed with the White Helmets and their story.

And right to be so. If you think about it this is where the Clooneys began really, discussing Syria and how to help with Satellite Sentinel and she advising Kofi Annan as he tried to negotiate.

He did say yesterday when quizzed on his take on it words like 'give me a chance' and 'only just got the rights a fortnight ago'

And he has many other 'just causes' options, Hack Attack being one of them.

Do wonder tho if this isn't better left as the unbelievable documentary that it is .......

by party animal - not! Tue 10 Jan 2017, 21:16

......I also think it's quite smart to not comment on the election until you get the audience to talk about something else that is important to you.

Yep, I know he's always done it, but he must have been sorely tempted in recent weeks.................

by Donnamarie Tue 10 Jan 2017, 22:08

At this point George and Grant don't even have a screenwriter. And the important points Way2 brought up may be on George's mind too. If he can't get a screenwriter to create a compelling story he may shelve it.

Monuments Men was a great historical story but I didn't think the movie was compelling enough. Maybe he has learned from his mistakes. I think George has stumbled at choosing the right material and being successful in his last few films. Not total busts but just not quality filmmaking ... behind and in front of the camera ... Monuments Men, Tomorrowland, Money Monster and Our Brand is Crisis. He's smart and talented enough. He has been spot on undertaking prior projects in the past. Those projects may not have been blockbusters but they were quality films. Only he can explain why his choices and execution of them have not been truly Clooney worthy over the past three years. I hope Suburbicon will be a turning point.

by LizzyNY Tue 10 Jan 2017, 22:25

PAN - Talking about the election, at this point, has become a form of self abuse. I think most of us are trying to put it out of our minds as much as we can and try to recover and regroup. I think George is probably happy to be thinking of something else.

Watching the Sessions confirmation hearing today has made me very aware that the usual post-election break from thinking about politics is not going to happen. As Keith Olberman reminds us, we must join the resistance and keep fighting. This is going to be a looooong 4 years!

Way2Old - Do you think George will do more than produce this one? Somehow it doesn't sound too hands-on to me.

Donnamarie - I don't hold him responsible for "Tomorrowland" or "Money Monster" (both of which I liked). I don't remember if he put any money behind them, but he wasn't writer or director - just actor. That the films he did write/direct didn't do too well I think is due to him trying things he hadn't done before, and maybe spreading himself too thin. As a director he's still learning. His films aren't bad, they just aren't great. Maybe he hasn't got the "genius" touch to make great films. Maybe he'll only ever make films that are just ok. I can live with that.

by Way2Old4Dis Tue 10 Jan 2017, 23:15

Lizzy, my thinking is that George will feel such a personal connection to the 'issue' that he will be very hands-on.

I do think he has one or two more great films in him. My fear is that he won't find them because he thinks they have to be 'important' films.

A great comedy that holds up over time takes just as much (or more) skill and talent -filmmaking genius- as any historical drama. Same can be said for a tense thriller, and other genres. But George seems to have found what he thinks is his wheelhouse, and is appropriate for a man of his worldly interests, and I just think he's selling himself short creatively in pursuit of that.

It almost feels like he thinks anything other than historical or issue films are a lark. And that's a creativity killer. (Note, I said "feels like." To me. Of course, there's no way for me to know that.)

His production company was involved with 'Money Monster.' They exec produced 'Our Brand Is Crisis.' (I think he was just a hired gun on 'Tomorrowland.') And I get the feeling that 'Suburbicon' was something he could do relatively quickly and at home; he has people on staff to keep busy, too, remember, and his other projects are far down the pipeline.

by fava Tue 10 Jan 2017, 23:55

I really enjoy your comments Way2! I think there is a danger in making this large "issues" the centerpiece of a movie. Why not just make a compelling documentary then? He, with the exception of GNGL imo, does not so far have a deft touch with mixing history or a political issue with great storytelling. Maybe sometimes the "issue" is best approached by not being preachy or front and center in the film. Struggling to come up with an example, but I can't think of one off the top of my head..... Also agree that he could switch it up as he can be a good comedic actor (haven't been impressed with those comedic elements he directed/wrote though, too slapstick for me).

by LizzyNY Wed 11 Jan 2017, 00:37

Way2Old4Dis wrote:George seems to have found what he thinks is his wheelhouse, and is appropriate for a man of his worldly interests, and I just think he's selling himself short creatively in pursuit of that.

It almost feels like he thinks anything other than historical or issue films are a lark. And that's a creativity killer. (Note, I said "feels like." To me. Of course, there's no way for me to know that.)

It struck me while I was reading your post: Does he feel the need to make "serious" or "important" films to give his image more gravitas to compete with his wife? There must be times when it's galling to be called the "actor husband" of the world renowned human rights attorney and activist - especially when the things he does have probably impacted a lot more people than she has.

Totally agree with you that he's limiting himself if he sticks with reality-based stories. Also agree that comedy and adventure films can be great. Watched "The Thin Man" again last night (for maybe the 10th time - at least!) and totally enjoyed it. Saw one of the "Lord of the Rings" movies again last week - brilliant!

I think what all great films have in common is a tension and momentum throughout the film - a certain pacing - that carries the story forward. IMO George and Grant have a problem with this. Felt it most in "Monuments Men". I've seen dozens of old war movies that are basically a series of vignettes like MM, but that have a tighter, more cohesive feel. I don't think it was the writing and the performances were good, so it wasn't the direction, at least not that part of it. Maybe the editing?

Fava - Have you seen "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind"?

by Sevens Wed 11 Jan 2017, 01:15

Money Monster is a commercially successful film that makes money, also my favorite George movie since Gravity.
He only had supporting roles in Tomorrowland and Hail, Caesar!, yet the studios were using his starpower to sell the movies.

by fava Wed 11 Jan 2017, 01:16

Lizzy, I think he was on the path of the "serious movie for adults" way before Amal.

I liked Confessions. Except I thought the face licking was over the top. I was trying to think of a movie by someone else. For example, The Big Short approached a pretty serious and political issue in a new way with effective story telling.

by party animal - not! Wed 11 Jan 2017, 01:33

Agreed, Fava.

Spotlight was pretty amazing .......and straight storytelling about journalists and right up George's street really.........

I think he's likely to be involved increasingly on serious and behind the scene stuff - unless he gets another 'Up in the Air' or Descendents type script

by LizzyNY Wed 11 Jan 2017, 01:52

fava - I think he was a little more adventurous before Amal - more willing to take risks and try different things. It seems that now he has chosen to limit himself to a genre more "appropriate" for a world figure of his stature. (And, yes, I'm being sarcastic.) I think he's taking himself too seriously.

It just occurred to me that George's favorite movie, "Sullivan's Travels" might illustrate your point.

by Donnamarie Wed 11 Jan 2017, 01:53

Just to follow up on Lizzy's comments I don't think George used the best judgment in choosing roles in "Tomorrowland" and "Money Monster." But I can imagine that on paper "Tomorrowland" seemed brilliant but it just didn't transfer to the screen that way. Not totally George's fault.

I think "Money Monster" was entertaining enough but I don't think it showcased what George does best. He's so good at internalizing a character's emotions. I think back when he hesitated taking on the role of Michael Clayton. That role was perfect for him. It really showcased his strengths as an actor. I know George was just Executive Producer on "Our Brand ..." but it just gets added to the list of failed projects. I guess my concern is that George doesn't always use the best judgment when choosing his film projects. No one gets it right all the time but George is overdue for some successes that showcase his strengths.

I always wondered why George wasn't involved in "Spotlight". That movie was a perfect vehicle for him. "The Big Short" would have been a better fit for George than "Money Monster."

by Way2Old4Dis Wed 11 Jan 2017, 02:01

Think 'Spotlight.' Catholic church sex abuse scandal. Big, big subject. But the movie was about the team that broke the story, and how it affected them to do it. Still got the horror of the topic, but the engagement was with the characters.

Also, 'Saving Private Ryan.' Not really an 'issues' movie, but if the story had concentrated on the search for the soldier rather than what the search meant to and did to each man, it would have been a much different (worse) movie.

Whether you like him as a person or not, Mel Gibson is a storyteller worth his salt. 'Hacksaw Ridge' is excellent. Hell, he took a story in which we all know the plot points, characters, and ending, and enough people saw 'The Passion of the Christ' for him to make more than a half billion dollars off of it.

Anyway, you get my drift.

'Good Night, and Good Luck' was actually a biography of a man (and his team) who stood up to the pervading ideology of his era. George and Grant hit the sweet spot with that one. They could have focused on the effects of the ideology. But it was a personal story, and the ideology was backdrop.

I hope they don't forget that with the White Helmets, or 'Hack Attack,' or whatever other 'important issue' movie they have coming up.

by fava Wed 11 Jan 2017, 02:04

LizzyNY wrote:fava - I think he was a little more adventurous before Amal - more willing to take risks and try different things. It seems that now he has chosen to limit himself to a genre more "appropriate" for a world figure of his stature. (And, yes, I'm being sarcastic.) I think he's taking himself too seriously.

Don't disagree with that. Some of the playfulness seems to be missing (hopefully not in private!)

by Way2Old4Dis Wed 11 Jan 2017, 02:06

Okay, so everybody came up with 'Spotlight' while I was pontificating...

by fava Wed 11 Jan 2017, 02:09

Way2Old4Dis wrote:Think 'Spotlight.' Catholic church sex abuse scandal. Big, big subject. But the movie was about the team that broke the story, and how it affected them to do it. Still got the horror of the topic, but the engagement was with the characters.

Also, 'Saving Private Ryan.' Not really an 'issues' movie, but if the story had concentrated on the search for the soldier rather than what the search meant to and did to each man, it would have been a much different (worse) movie.

Whether you like him as a person or not, Mel Gibson is a storyteller worth his salt. 'Hacksaw Ridge' is excellent. Hell, he took a story in which we all know the plot points, characters, and ending, and enough people saw 'The Passion of the Christ' for him to make more than a half billion dollars off of it.

Ah, you have gotten to the heart of what I was trying to articulate. And the major flaw in Monuments Men.

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