As you might’ve gathered if you’ve read my ABQ London blog post all about the Breaking Bad themed bar in East London, I am a big Breaking Bad fan… Which obviously includes loving the brilliant actor that is Aaron Paul! So I was very excited when I was invited to a screening of a new film he was in!
On Tuesday thanks to my full-time job (at Instrumental), I went to the UK Gala Screening of Triple 9. The evening was held at Ham Yard Hotel and included a pre-film presentation from the director and some of the actors.
I was incredibly lucky because I actually got to meet him – all thanks to a perfectly timed post-film trip to the bathroom. So I’m gunna cut right to the chase with this, because a lot of people have asked me what happened, and I need to get it all out of my system right away.
When leaving the toilet cubicle I overheard someone casually having a chat at the sink with Kate Winslet, complimenting her on the smashing Russian accent in the film – she was very good! Anyway, because I’ve had a bit of a cold recently, I hurried out after washing my hands to find myself some water, but got a little side tracked… Kate Winslet was stood just outside the door having a chat, and I have to admit, I got a little star stuck. This is a woman who did *that* scene in the Titanic (you know the one I mean), possibly the first scene of that kind I had ever seen, and even as an 8 year old I had a bit of a crush on Leonardo DiCaprio & the fact that she had been so close to him meant this was a big moment. I said hello and told her how amazing she was in Triple 9, and then shuffled off feeling a bit silly that I got so flustered.
The awkwardness continued, because after passing Kate Winslet, Aaron Paul and I made eye contact. He was leaning against the opposite wall, all on his own, just looking towards me, as if I had just walked into the scene of a movie. I’m not even going to try and pretend that I played it cool, because honestly, I didn’t. I said hi, congratulated him on another awesome role and then asked for a high five. Yes. I asked him for a high five. I’m not sure what I was thinking. Maybe I thought it would be a bit more casual than jumping straight in to ask for a hug? But I was pleasantly surprised that he lifted his hand up to high five me, followed by him laughing, saying “come here” and giving me a pretty damn good hug.
By this point I was incredibly aware I was being a fan girl and if I wanted a picture I would have to ask sooner rather than later because my weirdness was already completely out there. “Ummm, would it be incredibly uncool if we had a selfie?” – he assured me it wouldn’t, and got the backwards peace sign out (can someone tell me what this is actually called?), and the best selfie I’ve ever taken happened.
Instead of politely thanking him and going on my way, I thought I should take that opportunity to ask if he had been to the Breaking Bad bar in London, and if he hadn’t he should! By this point his beautiful wife Lauren Parsekian (turns out she was in the bathroom and he had been waiting for her), had joined us and was also listening very intently and I felt quite interesting and important, but this caused me to run out of air whilst talking and stutter more than once… I told them I had reviewed the bar on my blog and if they wanted to see what it was all about they should check it out – before handing both of them business cards, thanking them for their time and saying goodbye.
I mean you can’t make this stuff up. It was a very surreal few minutes, one of those situations I will be replaying over and over in my head for years to come, wishing I did play it a little cooler. But hey, story for the grand kids?
THE FILM – TRIPLE 9
This all came to be is because ‘Triple 9’ is released on Friday 19th February (put it in your diary!), and despite the excitement for the reasons mentioned above, the film was actually really great. Check out the trailer here.
During the introduction, John Hillcoat (director) had told us to pay attention because there were quite a few main characters, and he wasn’t wrong! However, although it starts with eight lead characters, all with intertwining story lines, people do get killed off quite frequently, so don’t bother getting too attached. The film focuses on a gang of criminals and corrupt police officers who plan the murder of a police officer so that they can pull off a big heist on the other side of town. The film is fast paced, violent, features a fair bit of nudity and is also a little gory (but if you’re a fan of crime/action dramas you’ll definitely be able to stomach it).
A couple of little film highlights I wanted to mention include an incredibly sassy bright pink pooch, that gets petted by Woody Harrelson, and Chiwetel Ejiofor‘s character ‘Terrell Tompkins’ in general – he plays a devoted father, who’s caught up in all of this bad stuff. I also spent a good few minutes wondering why on earth I recognised Casey Affleck so much…!? Ah yes that’s the right, he was in all three films of one of my favourite trilogies: Oceans Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen.
John Hillcoat (Director) & Aaron Paul
Left to Right: John Hillcoat (Director), Aaron Paul, Anthony Mackie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, & Kate Winslet
The Ham Yard Hotel is a few minutes from Piccadilly Circus tube station and the Ham Yard Theatre is in the basement – I had heard that it existed and was awesome, so was pretty excited that I had a chance to go! The cinema has 190 seats, so it’s quite an intimate environment. The seats were pretty darn comfy in comparison with some cinemas I’ve been to, but my only qualm was how cold it was in there! I wish I had have kept my scarf and jacket on me to wrap up, and I didn’t want to pop out to get it and risk missing a vital part of the film.
The Theatre @ Ham Yard Hotel, London
I had to mention the ‘Dive Bar’, because it was a really nice space – the red carpet area was put in front of the bar and removed after the film (I would have loved a red carpet picture!), but it was great to see the absolutely gorgeous ‘orange spiral’ that houses up to 397 oranges at one time. One day I want one of these in my house with all kinds of colourful round fruit #grownupgoals.
There’s also an area called ‘The Croc Bowling Alley’ in the room next door – unfortunately I didn’t manage to get a look, but I’m hoping I’ll get the chance to another time! If you follow the link you can book a session there, it is a little pricey, but ya know, you’re in central London at a really lovely hotel, so it’s to be expected.
Kate Winslet on the Rad Carpet @ Ham Yard Hotel, for the Triple 9 Movie UK Gala Screening
The ‘Dive Bar’ @ Ham Yard Hotel, London
The ‘Dive Bar’ @ Ham Yard Hotel, London
So that’s the end of another big post, I guess all that’s left to say is: Aaron Paul & Lauren Parsekian, if you’re reading this – I hope you do check out ABQ London & I’m sorry for all the rambling…
Overall it’s been another busy week so lots more coming your way soon enough! But in the meantime, I would like to take this moment to quote the intriguing Woody Harrelson (who played Sergeant Detective Jeffrey Allen) in Triple 9: “Be careful what you insta google tweet face”!
Lx
Ah you are too cute, i hope they do check out the Breaking Bad bar!
I also love the Ham Yard, we have done some events there and my fave part is the toilets that have the penguin books wallpaper!
I hope they do too – imagine how much fun they would have in the yellow jumpsuits using dry ice to cook up magical cocktails? Haha :p
Ah yes – the wallpaper is so cool. The hotel as a whole is just really lovely. Some of it is swish and smart, and other bits are really kooky & unusual!
I want to go to the bowling lane sometime 😀
Lx
OMG YOU MET AARON PAUL. OMG OMG OMG.
Hahaha this comment <3 I did indeed!
(And "OMG OMG OMG" was exactly what I was saying to myself inside when it happened, haha!)
Lx
Enthusiasm and excitement contagious – I wanna go there too !
Great post hun! Really enjoying read all your posts
Thank you Danielle <3 so pleased people are reading and enjoying! I'm having a great time writing 🙂
Lx
That looks like such fun lucky you getting to meet them both! Do you goto these screenings a lot?
No it was my first time going to one! I had such a good time, hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to go to more in the future 🙂
Lx