Life Comes Full Circle (Sort of) in a very bizarre way

[puppetmaker]

Years ago there was this guy that I knew from the convention circuit. He was a friend of a friend who became a friend. One evening he told me about his idea for a comic book series which sounded really neat. Several years later our paths crossed again and he handed me the first issue of his new comic “Men in Black.” I congratulated my friend Lowell because I knew this was something that he wanted to achieve and did so.

Years later (say about 1996) I am in a movie theater and there is a teaser poster that says “Mr. Smith, Mr. Jones” at the top and “Men in Black” at the bottom. I found out through the grape vine that yes, that was Lowell’s Men in Black being made into a movie. Cool I thought and really enjoyed the heck out of the film which really hit on all cylinders for me.

Last night (2011) I find myself under the FDR drive down at the South Side seaport just off of Catherine’s Slip having a conversation with Mr. Smith about the comic book while they were filming Men in Black 3.

Kind of an odd full circle.

Things that I learned last night

Will is a salt of the earth kind of guy. Both feet on the ground and working hard for what he wants. He is also a good dad.

His kids are just like their father and I am betting their mother as well. Caroline was more than happy to meet Jaden and Willow. I had a nice conversation with Trey and wished him good luck in his next endeavor which I am sure he will succeed at since he has his father’s drive to get things done. I got to ask Jaden a couple of questions about the Karate Kid that I had wondered about. Willow was working out lyrics for a song she was writing which she is very good at.

Barry Sonnenfeld runs a tight but fun ship. Everyone there wanted to do their best for him.

Monitors are so much better than they were over 10 years ago. The digital age has made it much easier to see what you are filming.

Josh Brolin is a really nice guy and a good hugger.

Caroline is going to recognize a part of the film when we see it since she saw them do a number of takes which she thought would be cool.

I am very grateful to the people at Overbrook who made this evening happen.

Behind the cut a few photos from the adventure. Sorry, none of the cool set that they had going because it was a no photo zone.




Caroline meets Jaden which just rocked her world since she loved him in the Karate Kid. Jaden was really sweet to her.

(for the VI: We are on a movie set so there is a lot of equipment and the east river in the background. Caroline is to the left and is wearing a multi-colored dress and has her right arm wrapped around Jaden’s waist with a BIG GRIN on her face. Jaden is wearing a black LA Raiders Hat and a blue tank-top. He had his left arm wrapped around Caroline’s waist)


Caroline and Willow. Willow was working on an idea for a new song and Caroline told her that she had a pretty voice.

(For the VI: About the same place on the set. Caroline is to the right in the same dress as before. She has her arm around Willow and Willow has her arm on Caroline’s shoulder. Willow is wearing a black head wrap and a black and silver scarf. She has a white t-shirt with some slogan in red.)


Peter, Caroline and Agent J aka Will Smith

(for the VI: In the background you can see the Brooklyn Bridge and more movie equipment. On the right is Will dressed in a black suit with a white shirt and black tie. Caroline is in the middle. Peter is to the left wearing a grey polo shirt.)

Comments

[millysdaughter.livejournal.com]

I like the fact that I can always count on his movies to be clean, so I can watch them with my kids. While he might not appreciate the comparison, I felt this same way about the Donny and Marie show. I **like** having artists that I can depend upon to provide good family fare.

[redstapler.livejournal.com]

The nice thing about Barry Sonnenfeld, too, (or are you talking about Will Smith?) is that while it's family friendly, there is a dark humor that makes everything funnier without being explicit.

[millysdaughter.livejournal.com]

I was talking about Will Smith. I do not know anything about Barry Sonnenfeld. I am not "up" on the movie industry. I think if I had to name three movie directors, one would have to be Alfred Hitchcock.

[redstapler.livejournal.com]

Barry Sonnenfeld also directed the Addams Family movies in the 90s, which are full of similarly dark yet family friendly (er...depending on the family?) humor.

[millysdaughter.livejournal.com]

Oh.
I never really cared much for the Addams family -- not the first time around, nor the second...

[dungeonwriter.livejournal.com]

You are so fortunate, what an amazing amazing experience!!!

[p-m-cryan.livejournal.com]

I've always been very happy with the MiB stories, in comics and onscreen. Like you, they just hit me in a very special way, and they are SUCH a big part of my New York heart.

Glad you guys had such a good time. It shows.

[amenquohi.livejournal.com]

How completely and utterly wonderful! I love those movies and I have always like Will Smith.

[creature-girl08.livejournal.com]

What a blast you guys had.

[geniusinmaine.livejournal.com]

It's amazing you got to meet all those people, and I'm glad Will Smith and his kids seem nice :)

[sneezythesquid.livejournal.com]

That is uber-cool! I'm glad you got a chance to go meet everyone.

[dandelion-diva.livejournal.com]

That is *SO* cool. I've had a crush on Will Smith since "Parents Just Don't Understand". :)

[ecosopher.livejournal.com]

This is such a lovely story, the way you were introduced to the story by your friend and how it just got a bit of a life of its own. I've always had the impression that Will Smith and his children are down to earth, friendly folk - it's great to hear they're like that IRL as well.

The first photo with Jaden and Caroline made me laugh a bit. She looks quite star struck, it's very sweet!