All eyes were peeled for Jennifer Lopez. The eyes of the fans, the eyes of the press, the eyes of the cameras, all strained - and waited - to catch a glimpse of the singer/actress/superstar at the premiere Tuesday of Lopez's new movie "Angel Eyes" at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. First to arrive were two country stars, Steve Holey and Tamara Walker, who perform songs on the soundtrack. They were nice, but much of the press there never heard of them. Where was Jennifer Lopez?
Next was Jeremy Sisto, who plays Lopez's wife-beating brother in the film, shaggy-haired with olive-colored eyes.
Anticipation for Lopez was palpable - it could be felt in the air.
Next to arrive was Lopez's love interest in the film, a freshly tanned Jim Caviezel, dressed in a slightly crinkled light blue suit and shimmering royal blue shirt unbuttoned at the top to match his eyes. Very much like his ethereal character in the film, he spoke in a slow drawl, a slight glaze over his face. Nervous, each time he stopped to answer questions, he crossed his legs and put his right hand in his pocket.
Only three celebrities unrelated to the movie showed up. "Politically Incorrect" host Bill Maher with a young exotic beauty by his side sped past the press and straight into the theater. "ER" star Ming-Na, dressed down for the occasion, didn't stop to chat with anyone either. Same goes for supermodel Veronica Webb, hidden behind sunglasses and a baseball cap, who arrived with a loud posse of male friends.
Finally, a giggly "J-Lo" appeared. Fans and press barked her name. The first thing one notices is her new haircut, curled, highlighted and bobbed. The next thing is the amount of make-up on her face. Thick, especially around her nose, and it still didn't hide every imperfection. Her dress is a black and purple mesh, short and split at the sides. She's smaller in real life than her screen presence suggests, but she's composed, obviously a real pro at these events.
Then, her wranglers abruptly pull her away, at which point "Angel Eyes" was almost over inside the Egyptian. She leaves, never setting foot inside the theater. But, not before talking to us.
Here's what the stars of "Angel Eyes" had to say:
JENNIFER LOPEZ
:
About playing tough women:
"I grew up in the Bronx, you know. (She laughs) I mean it's about street smarts and common sense and being able to kind of hold your own."
About hand-picking Jim Caviezel as her co-star.
"I kind of hand-picked him out, because I saw him in `Thin Red Line,' and I just remembered his eyes being so intense (they) pierced through you."
About the movie:
"It's not a Hollywood fairy tale type of movie. It's very reality-based. I think it's about really two people just like any normal people who've been through bad things in their lives and tragedies and abusive situations. And through love they're able to heal each other and kind of move on."
About getting physical for the part:
"Yeah, it wasn't that bad. I think they expect actresses to be kind of wussy, you know what I'm saying? So when you're like, `I'll run, I don't need my stunt double to run for me. I kind of like the way I run, so let's just stay with that.'"
And what's next?
"I'm gonna take a break from movies this summer, maybe do something late fall. Maybe when I get married and have a family I'll slow down a little bit. But till then - wait for the next single."
JEREMY SISTO
:
About going from `Jesus' in the TV miniseries to playing Lopez's abusive brother:
"I've been lucky to explore a lot of different sides of myself, with these roles. In my interpretation of Jesus, there was anger, there was frustration."
JIM CAVIEZEL
:
About a call from Lopez:
"I originally turned it down. Jennifer had seen `The Thin Red Line' and pursued me, but she called, you know. Listen, I was blown away that she would want me in her film, but I didn't think I could give the kind of performance they needed, in that I was doing another movie and I thought the scheduling was too close."
About loving Lopez:
"Well, it's not easy. I mean, you do a love scene with Jennifer Lopez, and they think you're spending the night at her house. I said, `Look, I'm happily married. (Faint laugh) I've got one hell of a wife.' As long as I keep my Calvins on, and, uh, you can get creative with the camera we can make this thing work out."
About Lopez being a cop:
"I saw a picture of her running track. She was a big, big-time runner when she was a kid. She's an athlete. She's a star, she's athletic, and she's talented in acting. And she works hard. I think that girl sleeps four or five hours of the night. And, if she's not filming or hanging out with the cops, she's recording."
About the movie:
"There are moments in this film where there is no dialogue. It comes out of the eyes, and that is the basis of `Angel Eyes.' Are there angels in it? It has a lot of mystery."
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