|
|
Post by PokerKitten on Apr 1, 2003 22:07:59 GMT
The Friday Rave
by Mark A. Perigard
Friday, October 4, 2002
Just two weeks into the new season, we've had our first Emmy-caliber performance, and it appeared, of all places, on UPN's ``Buffy the Vampire Slayer.''
James Marsters killed as Spike, fighting the ravages brought on by a newly won soul and the remorse he feels for centuries of bloodletting.
Over the seasons, Marsters has been called on to play a character who ranged from a Big Bad to a comic foil to a romantic lead and, in what could have been an audience deal-breaker, a would-be rapist. Now he's taking his character into his worst nightmare, the light of humanity.
After an emotional confrontation with Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) at the climax of Tuesday's episode, Marsters' vampire collapsed on a cross, oblivious to his smoldering flesh against the holy object. He was spent. So were we.
The "of all places" was a tad narrow-minded, but hey, he can be forgiven after at least having the wherewithal to spot good acting when he sees it.
|
|
|
|
Post by PokerKitten on Apr 1, 2003 22:09:25 GMT
This is from the luverly Tony Head's online chat at the BBC Buffy site:
Lol, yeah, why can't Americans get the hang of bollocks.... so to speak!
|
|
|
|
Post by PokerKitten on Apr 1, 2003 22:11:06 GMT
Joyce Millman, who wrote the excellent article on James for the NYT, also has this to say about him elsewhere: "No character’s journey from the dark to the light has been more poignant or frustrating than that of Spike, the vampire in love with Buffy; he went out and regained his soul, but at a hefty price. As Spike, the ferociously versatile James Marsters emerged as the show’s undisputed romantic hero and leading man. And if there’s any justice, he’ll earn Buffy’s first acting Emmy nomination for his efforts." I think she kinda likes him...  |
|
|
|
Post by PokerKitten on Apr 1, 2003 22:12:57 GMT
This is nice, from April Weedon-Washington - the original Nikki, Spike's second slayer kill, disgracefully not recast for this season. Prats!
What did you think about working with James Marsters, who plays Spike?
He handled it like he was another stunt person. We spent hours fighting. He is the most fantastic person in the world to work with, absolutely the best. He is so professional; he puts his whole heart into it. And his personality is so upbeat and generous; he loves his work and loves what he's doing.
|
|
|
|
Post by PokerKitten on Apr 1, 2003 22:15:50 GMT
Oooh, nice write up for darling James from phoenix.com:
The end might be near for Buffy as we know it; star Sarah Michelle Gellar is expected to leave after this season to make the sort of films that win the gilded popcorn bucket on the MTV Movie Awards. With that in mind, it does feel as if Whedon and his co-producer/writer Marti Noxon were weaving all of their plot strands into a daring, mature final design. This one involves Buffy, an as-yet-nameless über-evil, and the possible redemption of Spike, the vampire with whom the resurrected and depressed Slayer engaged in feverish, self-negating sex throughout the pivotal and underrated sixth season.
One of the delights of Buffy is the way the show remains fresh by rotating characters in and out of the main focus. And it’s Spike’s turn now. The black-leather-clad peroxide blond (James Marsters) is more than just fangs and a saucy quip. Beneath his cockney swagger remain traces of the human he used to be: a vulnerable, romantic and spectacularly untalented Victorian-era poet consumed by shame over his rejection at the hands of the woman he adored. Last season, hopelessly in love with Buffy and rejected by her as well (hey, déjà vu!), Spike pursued the Slayer to the point of attempted rape. He then took off on a (literally) mind-blowing quest to win back his soul, which is the one thing he believes will make Buffy love an undead man.
The brilliant, charismatic Marsters has always been the show’s secret weapon, the go-to guy when Whedon and Noxon needed a dark thrill. But this season, he’s been called upon to play a self-loathing shell of a creature, neither man nor monster, and he’s giving one of the most riveting performances in prime time. In the October 1 episode, " Beneath You, " he played a mad scene of awesome dignity and emotion. Baring his new soul and begging for Buffy’s forgiveness (which she continues to withhold), Spike finally wilted against a crucifix, too shattered even to care that his vampire flesh was starting to sizzle. Such uninhibited passion — in the acting, the writing, the atmosphere — is what sparks Buffy and gets into viewers’ systems.
|
|
|
|
Post by PokerKitten on Apr 1, 2003 22:17:48 GMT
This from Ron at slayage.com (one of my fave places)...
Speaking of who's who, how great was James Marsters AGAIN this week, for deftly handling three personas? He got to play Spike the tortured victim, Spike the smug puppet master (even though it was Morphy in his Spike mask), and Spike the vicious serial killer, whistling the aforementioned theme music as he buried another body in the basement. New York Smets mentioned the other day that this provided the creepiest use of a whistled tune since Peter Lorre couldn't get that phrase from Peer Gynt out of his head in Fritz Lang's serial killer classic, 'M'. Ooh! Good point of reference! Check out what Lorre's character says in that movie when the angry mob finally corners him, demanding his execution:
"But can I … can I help it?" he screams. "Haven't I got this curse inside me? The fire? The voice? The pain? … Who knows what it feels like to be me?"
|
|
|
|
Post by PokerKitten on Apr 1, 2003 22:18:49 GMT
 Gal at zap2it has good taste: They're simply the best. Better than all the rest. Sometimes great writing fuses with a brilliant performance to form a perfect television character. The character pops off the screen and commands our attention. All those on my list are from television shows that have been on for at least a year..... great characters evolve over time. Here are my picks for the 10 Best Characters on Television: 3. Spike on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer": It's a rare actor that can pull off the heartbreaking quiet moments ("God help me Buffy, it's still all about you" ), the searing agony (Spike smoldering on the cross), the humor, the destruction, and the heroism all in one role. Last season his attempted rape of Buffy could have destroyed his character, but it didn't. That's proof of James Marsters' phenomenal performance. Number 3... hey, not bad! |
|
|
|
Post by PokerKitten on Jun 1, 2004 12:10:30 GMT
Guide Online have come up with their fantasy Emmy nominations, and again james features in the list: Dream Emmy Ballot: Drama
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
James Marsters (Spike, Angel): When is somebody going to give this snarky, scampy vamp his own spinoff? Effortlessly stealing scene after scene with a surly punk attitude and effortless sex appeal, Marsters sinks his teeth into the role of an afterlife-time.
www.tvguide.com/news/insider/040601b.asp |
|
