"Stop-Lossed" at the DGA with Ryan Phillippe

An interesting thing happened to me on the red carpet last night. I was given a lesson on the U.S. Military's stop-loss policy. As one of the publicists was explaining to me and another photog what the upcoming movie, "Stop Loss" was about, we were surprised at what the policy was about. Imagine, doing your duty and serving out your contract for the military. All of a sudden either the week that you were to finally get out of the military or years later, the military can call you back into action through their stop-loss policy.



According to web sources, stop loss is defined in the United States military term as the involuntary extension of a service member's enlistment contract in order to retain them beyond the normal end term of service (ETS) or the ceasing of a permanent change of station (PCS) move for a member still in military service. It was first significantly used just before and during the first Persian Gulf War. Since then, it has been used during American military deployments to Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia and Kosovo during the 1990s and extensively after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the subsequent War on Terror.
Federal courts have consistently found that military service members contractually agree that their term of service may be involuntarily extended, however the issue is still being debated in the public and political arena."

As I digressed for a moment, the premise of "Stop-Loss" is decorated Iraq war hero Sgt. Brandon King(Ryan Phillippe) makes a celebrated return to his small Texas hometown following his tour of duty. He tries to resurrect the life he left behind with the help and support of his family and his best friend, Steve Shriver (Channing Tatum), who served with him in Iraq. Alongside their war-time buddies, Brandon and Steve try to make peace with civilian life. All of sudden out of no where, the Army orders him back to duty in Iraq. Brandon's world is turned upside down and must deal with the reality of the military's "Stop-Loss" policy.



Last night, Ryan Phillippe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Victor Rasuk, Channing Tatum, Rob Brown and Director Kimberly Peirce took the stroll down the carpet sans military uniform. Along for the military movie ride were guests Steven Strait of the hit movie "10,000 B.C." and his wife Lynn Collins, Mr. MMA film star of "Never Back Down" Sean Faris, the lovely Jenna Dewan, Joy Bryant and Missi Pyle. Also Brad Rowe took that stroll as he celebrated good news his new indie gay wedding comedy film "For Better or For Worse" has secured its primary cast and production date.


Lynn Collins and Steven Strait take all the red carpet shenanigans in stride.


Brad Rowe's days will get busy with his new film project "For Better or For Worse."

Ryan Phillippe was a great carpet walker who also humored his fans by signing practically everyone's memorabilia who waited patiently across the carpet.

For some odd reason Channing Tatum was in a rush to get out of the limelight. Must be the flashes as one photographers asked him to open his eyes and he quiped back that he can't. But his former lovely co-star from "Step Up" Jenna Dewan was a gorgeous ham for us dress in her lovely yellow printed outfit, Dewan took steps to ensure we got our shots. However, Jenna and Channing did not take any time to do a two shot with each other.


Channing Tatum actually has his eyes open in this one.


Jenna Dewan on the steps to "Stop-Loss"


Victor Rasuk was a cool dude. After reviewing my photos, at least half of my pics had Mr. Rasuk licking his lips. Did he forget some lip balm earlier?



Wilson Cruz walked past the carpet and directly into the Directors Guild as we shouted for him to take a stroll on the carpet. Must be that New York Broadway mentality he may have developed as "I am an actor of the theater and I do not do red carpet!" Just joking with you Mr. Cruz. If I was an actor I'd probably stay away once in a while. The flash gives me migraines.

Upcoming film actor Sean Faris came over to make his red carpet rounds. For a movie that wasn't promoted as much, Faris' "Never Back Down" did an expected $8million for its first opening weekend. I chided Sean about his haircut as he previously mentioned during the "Never Back Down" junket that he was running late for either the junket or an event and thinking he can make it to his hair cutting place in time but didn't because of traffic so he u-turned back home and shaved it all off himself. At first he gave me this quizzical look like, "What the hell" then he must of remembered me from the junket and started laughing and said, "Yeah! I've been cutting it myself."


Sean Faris cuts his own hair.


Missi Pyle is so craazyy....


Joy Bryant looking all cute and warm with her beanie.

10,000 BC comes to the present on the red carpet

Last night was a nice evening for a red carpet premiere at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood. We treated to the caveman days with the U.S. premiere of "10,000 B.C" Talk amongst some of the photogs were the possibility of this movie being a sleeper hit to some who said "Who's going to watch this movie." Well, I was in the camp of the sleeper hits as seeing the great effects from the animals to how the actors had to communicate with each other. I have a bet that Camilla Belle is the new Raquel Welch. If any of you remember the old caveman movie that Raquel Welch did way back when, Camilla Belle brought back memories.

As she walked the red carpet, she wore a printed black dress with her cute straight hair flowing down her back. She was joined by cast mates Steven Strait, young Nathanael Baring, Joel Virgel, Cliff Curtis and curly haired Reece Ritchie and director/producer Roland Emmerich.

According to the Yahoo's movie site, the film is about "In a remote mountain tribe, the young hunter, D'Leh, has found his heart's passion - the beautiful Evolet. When a band of mysterious warlords raid his village and kidnap Evolet, D'Leh is forced to lead a small group of hunters to pursue the warlords to the end of the world to save her. Driven by destiny, the unlikely band of warriors must battle saber-tooth tigers and prehistoric predators and, at their heroic journey's end, they uncover a Lost Civilization. Their ultimate fate lies in an empire beyond imagination, where great pyramids reach into the skies. Here they will take their stand against a powerful god who has brutally enslaved their people. "

A few guests included the lovely Garcelle Beauvais. She definitely knows how to work the red carpet especially when a photog can capture her staring at the camera. James Woods made a quick entry. Fantastic 4 star Chris Evans definitely was quick like a brush fire to walk through the red carpet. I'd say he got through that carpet in 2 minutes flat. Tim Roth was one to walk quickly through the carpet also.


Camilla Belle's over the shoulder pose.


Garcelle Beauvais in a demin dress!!


Chris Evans was just like fire on the carpet.


Wow! Michelle Trachtenberg actually looked at my camera. A miracle!!


April Scott is hot hot hot!!!


The young Nathanael Baring took his first red carpet event in stride.


Steven Strait has the best smile of 2008.


Reece Ritchie makes his way past the wooly mammoth.

We were also treated to Christian Oliver, starring in the upcoming "Speed Racer" movie. Can't wait to see that film. I've been watching the trailer of that movie every few days. Go Speed Racer Go!!!!


Christian Oliver gives a thumbs up to "10,000 B.C."


James Woods cracks a smile for the photogs!!!

Check out the trailer of "10,000 B.C." I'm sure you'll like this movie for the effects especially if it's from the producers of "Independence Day" and "The Day After Tomorrow."