‘The Rocker’ Tally
Saturday, August 23rd, 2008 | 83 commentsFan report: Dundie All-Star attends ‘The Rocker’ screening in Birmingham
Hi Tanster (and Tallyheads)!
I just got back from the advanced screening of “The Rocker” in Birmingham, MI, and man, it was such a blast! The movie was so good!! I can see how some other Tallyheads said they saw a little of Dwight in Rainn’s character in the movie, but overall he definitely sold me on the role of Fish.
Afterward they did a Q&A, and here are some of the highlights:
- Because of children in the audience, Rainn replaced “dirty” words with the word “watermelon.” Such as: the ugly face he makes when drumming is the same face he makes when he’s “watermeloning.” It became quite the running gag, and everyone got a good laugh out of it.
- Rainn says that shooting ran so close up to when they needed to start shooting season 4 of “The Office” that he worked six days a week, often up to 15 hours a day!
- I of course asked a question: “Did you do your own stunts?” To which he replied, “Almost all of them.” There was one where he fell off the stage that was not him, but all the other ones he took credit for, including getting hit in the groin!
- He loved working with everyone on the cast of “The Rocker,” and said it was great to work on a movie where everyone got to shine.
- Of “The Office,” he said he had lines written on his desk blotter so he didn’t have to memorize them and he was often drunk on set, both of which got big laughs.
- He admitted to having problems with not looking into the camera while on the movie set! He specifically referenced “Transformers 2,” (probably because that’s what he’s currently working on) and said Michael Bay probably wouldn’t approve of him looking into the camera all the time.
But the biggest shock of the night was afterward! My dad and I had just gotten out of the movie, so we decided to grab some dessert at one of my regular hangouts, a coffee shop called Java Hutt. We were there chatting about the movie and sharing a cheesecake when who should walk in but Rainn himself! He was being very incognito, with iPod buds in his ears and a hat on, but that didn’t stop me from recognizing him right away.
I casually approached him and told him I was sorry for bothering him, but I wanted to tell him again what a great job he did. He was extremely nice, and even thought my Schrutebucks to Stanley Nickels t-shirt was clever! My dad snapped a picture of the two of us, and his graciousness for letting me bug him absolutely made my night. I am still bubbling with excitement from meeting him!
It sounds like he has a full schedule, going to places like Philadelphia, New York, and San Francisco before going back to start shooting season 5 of “The Office,” so it was such a treat that he took the time to stop in “suburban Detroit.” Many thanks to him!!
Sincerely,
Dundie All-Star
No! I feel awful that the movie bombed! I’m so sorry, Rainn! We love you and you didn’t deserve for this to happen to you on your first starring movie role!
I did my part this weekend. My theater was just about empty. Unfortunately, it was just really bad. Sorry Rainn. I still love you though. I applaud you for a very creative marketing strategy, which was very entertaining :)
I know that part of the problem is that it isn’t in enough theatres - I’m from a smaller town and it didn’t make it here, so we’re going to drive about 30 minutes away to go see it this week.
This was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I really didn’t get a good laugh once, and this is supposedly a comedy. I had a few chuckles, but that was about it. The characters are horrible, the story is stupid, and the actors had no charisma. Perhaps the biggest problem: the movie is called “The Rocker” and the music doesn’t rock in any way. It’s a bunch of bland pop music that you might hear on a teeny-bopper station. Neither the music not the comedy have any edge to them. Your 12 year-old might like this movie, but everyone else should avoid.
Wow. It didn’t even crack the Top 10 this week! Where was everyone?
I love his playlist! Wow, I never realized Rainn and I have the same taste in music. His playlist is now my go-to driving mix. Thanks, Rainn!
oh wow, neutral milk hotel is my all time favorite band (well except for the beatles but they are in a league of their own). wow, i can’t believe aeroplane over the sea is on his playlist. he just went to a whole new level in my esteem for him.
OK, I gotta see The Rocker! And I’d do it even if Jenna’s life WASN’T at stake. :)
omg knowing that rainn loves most of the same artists as me (and is an indie kid in his own respect) is just AWESOME! BAH!
yay for indie rock! i love this playlist!!
Knowing that Rainn loves Radiohead as much as me just made my morning!
Thanks for the links!
Everyone listen to the yRock interview/takeover! yRock is one of the most fabulous programs you will find. As a Philadelphia native, yRock and WXPN keep me alive. It is a great station that really represents public radio and the city of Philadelphia very well. I am so happy that they were able to interview Rainn!
It looks like Rainn will be doing radio station interviews on the morning of August 18. I see he’s scheduled to be on KDWB here in Minneapolis around 8:30 a.m.
To add to your Rocker/Rainn tally, he is on the cover of BusinessWeek. There is a brief Q&A with him too, covering his worst job ever, the company he’d like to work for, and time management.
I won’t have a chance to scan it, so perhaps someone else’s husband also chose to receive this magazine for free in exchange for miles that were about to expire.
It is also my birthday that day, I will be celebrating at the theater!
Bakesale!
Re: Rainn’s post on Jenna’s MySpace… Save the receptionist, save Rainn’s career. hahaha
I’ll be there for you on 08/20, Rainn!
I love soup! Therefore I will see The Rocker, but probably not August 20. It’s kind of a school night. But don’t worry Rainn, we all want to save Jenna!
that was so hilarious. Love the blog, Rainn just always cracks me up. Can’t wait to see it!
hahhahahahaha bake sale! such a great idea. I like that it’s clearly the afterthought of dousing yourself with kerosene. nice touch.
I have to be honest…the trailers for this movie weren’t really getting me that excited (even though I’m probably the target demographic for this type of movie). But after getting online and doing some more research, I may have to give it a viewing after all.
So many awesome people are in it: Christina Applegate (Poor soul, I hope she gets better very soon), Jeff Garlin (Curb Your Enthusiasm, YAY! My favorite show EVER, after The Office of course–but that’s a given), Fred Armisen (does a mad Obama impression), Jason Sudeikis (does a mad Jim impression), and a nice cameo from Pete Best (He’s a poor soul, too…Can you imagine? I love Ringo, though, so perhaps it was for the best).
And the email from Rainn just puts me over the top. I’m pretty excited now.