When does the movie harry potter and the order of the phoenix come out

Cheerio from London! I will tell you all about my incredible trip here including a sneak peak of Heathrow's new Terminal 5 (T5), next week. But for now, we're heading out to Arizona for a quick 24-hour visit. We're going to spend the night at the Camelback Inn and get the inside scoop from US Airways about what to expect from them and other American legacy carriers. If that doesn't get you excited, then why not join Lisa Tucker McElroy as she checks into the St. Julien Hotel & Spa in Boulder, Colorado? Or, take a spin on a WWII B-17 with Chuck Taylor. Whatever you choose, you're in for an adventure!

TAMPA TO LOS ANGELES
Last week, I left off from the Florida Gulf Islands. From nearby Tampa, I flew five hours back to Los Angeles before my big trip – and I mean BIG. I'm currently on the first leg of an around-the-world journey. I thought I had a few days at home to get my affairs in order before I was off like Jules Verne's Phileas Fogg (in less than 80 days, of course!) but I got a last minute invitation to Phoenix to meet with US Airways. I just couldn't turn down an inside scoop, no matter how pressed for time I was.

WHAT TO PACK
Within two hours, I was at LAX ... sounds like my trip to theSuper Bowl, huh? US Airways offered to fly me out early the following morning but with Arizona being one hour ahead, who wants to get up at 5am to make an 8:30am meeting? Not me. My one mistake was waiting too long to decide what to pack. By the time I looked at the clock, it was just an hour before flight time. Yikes! Fortunately, I only live 10 minutes from the airport so I scrambled to get everything together, including printing my boarding pass. What I learned from this oversight is that when you don't plan ahead, you end up lugging more than you need. Since I didn't have time to really think about what to pull out of my heavy, stocked computer bag (chargers, magazines, cameras, medicines ... ), I ended up taking the whole darned thing. Turns out, I was traveling with the same amount of baggage as I had on my around-the-world trip and I was just going to Arizona for a night. Not smart, I know, but at least it was still only carry-on.

PARKING AT LAX
I arrived at LAX at 3:30pm and parked my car at Park One. Park One is my favorite parking lot at LAX since it's the closest to the airport and is literally across the street from Terminal 1, which services US Airways and Southwest. This proximity saves even more time; there's no need to wait for a courtesy van – just make the 50-yard dash. It wasn't raining so I passed on valet parking ($21.75) and self-parked for $15. Tip 1: If you have an AAA or a Southwest card, be sure to flash them for the 10% and 15% discounts respectively. TIP 2: To guarantee a spot, book in advance online using ParknFlyNetwork.com. This site can also be used to book any airport parking lot across the U.S. For lots outside of the PNF network, log ontoAirportParkingReservations.com. This gives travelers peace of mind and saves both time and money.

LAX TO PHOENIX
The US Airways 737-300 series plane was not only old and ratty, but was packed with limited overhead space. If you're bringing bags on-board, be sure to board early to guarantee your spot. The good news is that this former America West plane (the logos were still on the seats) as well as the 737-400 will be removed from the US Airways fleet by 2011. That's right, they're retiring the 737! Most of the passengers on the flight were connecting from international flights from Asia or the South Pacific, so most everybody slept in a jetlag-induced coma. As for me, I just gave an evil stare at the fat hairy man encroaching upon my limited space. The flight attendants came around just once to serve drinks but nothing to munch on for the hour-long flight. I'm not complaining ... my Buddha belly didn't need any fattening snacks, anyways.

SKY HARBOR AIRPORT TO HOTEL
There's something about arriving in Arizona at sunset that gets me all worked up inside … in a good way. Seeing the warm desert light blanket the Camelback Mountains is special. When we landed on time, I made a beeline to the taxi stand. There was no line of passengers, just vacant taxis, most with African drivers waiting patiently. After the first five minutes, the meter read $10 and I quickly realized why there was no line. It would have been cheaper to rent a car but I really didn't want to deal with the PHX rental car return. That place is a nightmare. The Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort in Scottsdale, was about a 20-minute, $35 (without tip) drive in a metered taxi. However, on the way back, the hotel hooked me up with Town Transportation. These guys provide a plush town car and charge $5 less! My driver's name was Gizachew Dessie (he was from Ethiopia) and he's available 24 hours at 602-754-2506. NOTE: He usually needs 45 minutes advance notice.

CAMELBACK INN
Sometimes I think I could be a spokesperson for the Marriott because I have stayed at so many of their hotels, all around the world. What can I say? They offer a great product and I'm accruing mad Marriott Rewards points. The Camelback Inn is unlike my last JW Marriott experience. The 17-story Ihilani resort in Honolulu was nice but lacked personality and could have been located anywhere in the world. But that's not the case with theCamelback Inn. This 453-room hotel isn't a high rise. It's just one- to two-floor Pueblo-style casitas spread throughout the resort's 125-acre desert landscape. The best part: The interiors are designed with traditional southwestern decor. I was only a couple hundred miles from Los Angeles but it felt like a world away.


CHECKING-IN
When I arrived, a friendly bellhop greeted me the moment I stepped out of the taxi. He took my bags and explained that once I checked in, he would take me to my room in a golf cart. They are building a new lobby so this one was just a makeshift one, but even though it was small, with just one desk clerk, it still took just two minutes to get my room key ... and there was an arriving guest ahead of me. In the end, I didn't really need to be whisked to my room in an electric golf cart as it was just 50 yards away but I suppose it's nice to be Miss Daisy once in a while, even if just for a moment.

THE ROOMS
I just love Southwestern-style rooms ... the curtains, the embroidered pillowcases and the handcrafted clay pots, which sat atop an oak armoire. (The armoire housed an old TV ... it's time for a flat screen!) The bathroom had the same feel, with brown tiled floors and multi-colored tile walls. Inside the shower were four glass blocks that weren't see-through, but they did allow natural light in, making the space bright. Although the room featured Marriott's signature Revive bedding, I didn't sleep very well. It was either because there were too many pillows or the fact that I forgot to turn on the A/C and the heavy duvet was just making me too hot. From the rave reviews on TripAdvisor, my experience was not the norm on this one. My sleeplessness could also have been due to having so much work to do. Instead of watching the hours slip away on the clock/iPod docking station, I got up and switched on the ol' laptop. The rooms don't have wireless but broadband Internet is available and it's not outrageously expensive at $12.95 for 24 hours. The oversized leather desk chair was one of the most comfortable around. The best part about the rooms are the fact that they are built solid; I didn't hear any construction, outdoor traffic or other guests. Other notable room amenities include a stocked mini bar but I should mention that a small package of M&Ms was $3 – Ouch! But if you shop wisely, there's a mini kitchenette with an empty refrigerator, microwave and sink.

HOPPIN' JACK'S
I had both my meals at the Camelback Inn's Hoppin' Jack's Restaurant, which was literally across the road from my room. I decided to opt for something semi-healthy: tortilla soup ($5) and chicken chopped salad ($12). Both hit the spot. I dined outside solo, in just a short sleeve shirt, while reading travel magazines and peaking up every few minutes at the Phoenix Sun's score on the restaurant's huge flat screen TV. In the morning, it was a little chillier but I still ate outside (bring a sweater this time of year) while feasting on their delicious, $21 breakfast buffet. I had planned to just have small tastes of everything but ended up devouring the huevos rancheros and French toast with real maple syrup and fresh berries. The attentive, friendly waitresses were mostly from Europe – the two serving me were from Bulgaria and Germany. The explained that a lot of foreigners were working there due to Marriott's amazing internship program.

NOT ENOUGH TIME
If I'd had more than 12 hours, I would definitely have checked out the hotel's 36 holes of championship golf, the spa, pools and hot tubs. Instead, the one thing I took home with me was the feeling of being in the southwest. With so many hotels these days, it's nice to have a major chain that not only provides all the comforts of home but also has a personality. My room and my walk around the property after dinner, admiring the light blue sky filled with bright stars and the silhouette of the Camelback Mountains, was memorable. Rack rates begin at $189 a night. Camelback Inn, A JW Marriott Resort, 5402 East Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, Tel: 480-948-1700 or call toll-free 800-24-CAMEL.

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How to draw a phoenix

Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, known as The Valley of the Sun for its 300 days of sunshine each year, is fragmented into many neighborhoods and suburbs. Visitors first notice the sprawling low profile of most of the valley, with two exceptional high-rise downtown neighborhoods.

Downtown Phoenix

The downtown area has been undergoing a major facelift since the building of the US Airways Center and the Chase Field . Coffeehouses, restaurants, nightclubs and shopping in the Arizona Center continue to draw people downtown for the nightlife. Many new restaurants have opened, including A League Of Our Own. Incorporating the themes of Phoenix's early history with culture and local events, Copper Square is a full square-mile hotspot for activities and action. Downtown attractions include the park at Patriots Square , the Arizona Science Center , the Phoenix Museum of History and the Phoenix Art Museum .

West Phoenix

The inner neighborhoods include moderately priced homes largely developed in the 1970s. Shopping in the west area can be found at Desert Sky Mall , and Cricket Pavilion , which offers an open-air entertainment amphitheater.

The growing west side continues to spread outward. Visit charming Historic Downtown Glendale and Catlin Court for first-rate antique opportunities. The newer Arrowhead Towne Center Mall offers shopping and diverse dining choices.

South Phoenix

Largely comprised of low-cost housing and industry, the walled and gated community of Ahwatukee is a notable exception. Ahwatukee residents are mostly older adults and urban professionals. Upscale apartments coexist with middle class housing here. Be sure to take the South Mountain Park Scenic Drive while you are visiting this area. Fabulous sunsets are the pride of Arizona and best enjoyed from a desert wilderness vantage point. Nearby shopping can be found at the new Arizona Mills Mall just across the freeway.

Northwest

Past Peoria and Glendale are the communities of Sun City, Sun City West, Youngtown and Surprise. Hikers will enjoy the White Tank Mountain Regional Park. The Sun Cities and Youngtown are largely retirement communities with a casual, leisure pace.

East Side

Bordering Phoenix is the town of Paradise Valley, which draws middle to upper class residents. Fine shopping is available at the Paradise Valley Mall . East of Paradise Valley is Scottsdale, fondly referred to by residents as "The West's Most Western Town." Highly sought after for conventions and vacations, this area has upscale housing and topnotch restaurants such as Ruth's Chris Steak House at Lincoln Drive and Scottsdale Road. World class shopping is provided at the lovely Borgata of Scottsdale .

Located south of Scottsdale, Tempe is primarily a college town and the home of Arizona State University . Local festivals such as Fall Festival of the Arts are extremely popular down on South Mill. The University is located in its center, ringed by family and student housing.

Continuing east we find Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert. Chandler remained largely an agricultural community until a growth spurt, which began in the 1970s. Much of this area houses young families and middle-class professionals in stucco and tile developments. Local shopping is enjoyable at the Superstition Springs Center Mall at the northwest corner of Highway 60 and Power Road.

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What to do in phoenix

Description


This beautiful western city is the capitol of Arizona and home to a rapidly growing population of 1.3 million very diverse residents. Phoenix sits with its partner city of Scottsdale to the north of the breathtaking Sonoran Desert. The hot weather here is tempered by a total lack of humidity and breezes that come to call as the evening settles in.

Phoenix, Arizona is rich with a blend of rugged desert heartiness and modern bohemian culture. Art galleries, museums, botanical gardens, and lots of things to do for kids and adults of all ages make a Phoenix vacation a great choice for the family.

The neighbor town of Scottsdale is home to numerous golf resorts, health spas, and dude ranches and the greater Phoenix area, including Mesa and Tempe, has become a haven for retirees looking for an active lifestyle in beautiful surroundings.

Fast Facts

Phoenix is now the 6th largest city in the United States and shows no signs of slowing its growth.

Hunters beware…it is illegal to hunt camels in the State of Arizona!

Phoenix's South Mountain Park covers 17,000 acres and is the largest city park in the United States. The park is perfect for barbecues, trail rides, scenic drives, and mountain biking.

The City of Phoenix is home to over 45,000 hotel rooms and was voted the top hotel destination among frequent travelers. 8 out 10 Phoenix visitors plan on returning.


Phoenix Attractions


This booming city is the perfect base for all kinds of outdoor adventures. Journey into the Sonoran Desert with an experienced local guide to experience the brilliantly colored sandstone formations and towering Saguaro Cacti.

The Phoenix art community hosts a city Art Walk every Thursday evening touring the various art spaces with new themes every week. Following are a few of the many great Phoenix attractions to check out on your Arizona vacation.

Phoenix Desert Botanical Gardens
This sanctuary of United States desert flora is home to 139 endangered species and many other specimens unique to this western ecosystem. The Phoenix Botanical Gardens are home to many horticultural research studies, educational programs, and ecopreservation efforts.

The Gardens host art and music events, such as a stunning exhibit of glass sculpture that is displayed within the natural beauty of the desert gardens and torch lit concerts under the western moon.

Arizona Science Center
The science museum located in downtown Phoenix is an interactive adventure for kids of all ages. Experience the Dorrance Planetarium's programs on black holes and other wonders of the universe. Kids will love the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe exhibit and the brand new Star Trek experience with full-size bridge of the Starship Enterprise. The Science Center also offers wilderness training camps in the challenging deserts and mountains of Arizona.

Phoenix Art Museum
An eclectic and ever evolving gallery, the Phoenix Art Museum showcases both international and local artists, with a special interest in art of the Western United States. Visitors will enjoy glass sculpture, fashion displays, Native American artwork, Arizona craftsman demonstrations, and collections of modern and classic artwork of many genres.

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How To Find Free Children's Activities in Phoenix

There are wonderful things to do with kids in the Phoenix rea. Sometimes, though, budget may be an issue. Here are some free activities for children that will make everyone happy.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Most of the day
Here's How:


Go fishing at Kiwanis Park in Tempe. With 125 acres and a huge recreation center, there's always plenty to do there.
Take your kids to the library. All of the area libraries have story times for the younger kids, and programs and events for the older ones.
There are places where you and the kids can take a behind-the-scenes tour, and some of them, like the Stuffington Bear Factory and Cerreta Candy Company are free.
Got skates or a skateboard? The valley now has several skate parks. Novice skaters can watch the more experienced ones practice.
I don't believe a week goes by in this town without some community having a free festival or concert. Bring juice boxes, water and snacks.
Have you always wanted to climb Piestewa Peak? It's fun, pretty and healthy! Not necessarily a summer activity, though. Bring water and light snacks.
Have your kids ever seen petroglyphs? Take a hike at Waterfall Trail in the West Valley.
Home Depot has monthly classes for kids that allow them to build something. They get to wear an apron, learn how to use tools, get free materials, and leave with a masterpiece. Lakeshore Learning Store also offers free project / craft classes for kids.
Take the kids swimming. here are community swimming pools all around the valley. Most charge a very nominal fee. If your kids don't swim yet, many of the area parks now have splash pads or splash playgrounds during the summer.
Every Wednesday from 3:30 to 4 p.m., "Wildflower Kids" enjoy a complimentary cookie, milk and activity at Wildflower Bread Company with locations in Phoenix, Goodyear, Scottsdale, Tempe and Chandler.
Put the bikes in the back of the SUV and drive to a beautiful park, like South Mountain, and go for a family bike ride. If it is too hot for that, just go for a scenic car ride.
Are the kids old enough to sit in the car for awhile? A drive on the Apache Trail is scary and a lot of fun.
The City of Phoenix, and other cities and towns in the Greater Phoenix area, often hold free summer sports clinics for kids, like golf and tennis. Check your city's recreation department and sign them up!
Arrowhead Mall in Glendale, Chandler Fashion Center in Chandler and others have indoor play areas for the little ones. The kids love it! At Superstition Springs Mall in Mesa, there's a carousel that kids (and adults) can ride for a nominal charge. The Westcor Malls all have a Kids Club that meets regularly for both fun and entertainment.
Projects with the kids are entertaining and (shhhh. . .) educational. Make something cool (a kite? a planter?) out of stuff around the house.
Tips:

Every week I blog about the coming week's free activities. Some are fun, some are educational, some are artsy, some are even for adults, but they are all free. Check here for the most recent "Free Things To Do" list.
Take your kids to different neighborhoods around town, so they can experience different sights and people.
Get on mailing lists for nearby libraries, so you can get the events calendars in the mail or by email. These aren't just book discussion programs anymore--the libraries in Arizona are very creative.
Visit the web sites for the various cities and towns of the area and check out their recreation departments. They all have one!
Get a free meal for your kids! Many restaurants in the Valley have a Kids Eat Free program.

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Where does joaquin phoenix live

• Had to pay up $220 to pal Ryan Phillippe after claiming the Best Actor prize at 2006 Golden Globes. He was so sure he wasn't going to win that he agreed to a bet with Ryan Phillippe. (January 19, 2006)
• Is having problems finding a girlfriend, because all his potential dates research him first. He hates sharing a meal or drink with an attractive lady who knows everything about him, thanks to the media and internet. (January 13, 2006)
• Directs Welsh rock quintet People In Planes’ music video of If You Talk Too Much (My Head Will Explode). (January 11, 2006)
• Laughs off reports he is launching a singing career after playing country music legend Johnny Cash in movie biopic WALK THE LINE. (January 11, 2006)
• Invited to join AMPAS in 2006.
• Was nominated for 3 categories in the Music Video Production Association Awards (2006), Directorial Debut, Direction of a New Artist, and Adult Contemporary.
• Is half a foot shorter than the real Johnny Cash was, although he plays him in WALK THE LINE (2005).
• Host a special screening of Johnny Cash biopic WALK THE LINE at Folsom State Prison - the place where Cash famously played a controversial concert for inmates - on January 3, 2006
• Was so nervous about promoting WALK THE LINE on The Oprah Winfrey Show, the talk show queen had to coax him onto the stage. (November 15, 2005)
• Wanted by The Hives rocker Pelle Almqvist to play him on the big screen. (October 31, 2005)
• Refuses to watch his own movies, because he hates the way he looks on screen.
• Denies tabloid reports that he had a breakdown while filming a scene related to Johnny Cash's brother's death in WALK THE LINE. Instead, he banged his head on a bedpost during a scene in which Cash is going through drug withdrawal in an attempt to get into his character's emotional state. (August 23, 2005)
• Has checked himself into rehab in a bid to win his long battle with alcohol abuse. (April 14, 2005)
• Broke down on the set of WALK THE LINE and started banging his head against a wall - because a scene reportedly sparked memories of his brother River Phoenix's tragic death. (2004)
• Fears his portrayal of Johnny Cash in biopic WALK THE LINE will be panned because he feels inadequate as the country legend. (July 27, 2004)
• Phoenix and John Travolta worried the producers of their upcoming movie LADDER 49 a great deal because they got a little too involved in their firefighting research. (January 28, 2004)
• He confesses to having been frightened by the flick of his latest film, SIGNS, when he finally saw it at a screening.
• Known well as an animal lover, he also revealed that the dog in SIGNS, who reacted with fright every time the aliens were in the cornfield, was trained to bark on cue and behave scared.
• Took his mother to the Academy Awards. (2001)
• May 2000- He appeared on both Late Night with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno promoting GLADIATOR.
• He took his mother to the premiere of GLADIATOR.
• He was born Joaquin Raphael, but at the age of four he decided that he wanted a more earthy name, like his elder siblings River and Rain, so while he was raking leaves with his father he decided on Leaf. In the early '90s he would take back his birth name.
• His first name is pronounced WAA-keen
• He is a strict vegan and will not wear costumes made out of animal skin.
• He was born on same day, year and city as Dayanara Torres Delgado
• He resides in New York City in the same apartment building as best friend Casey Affleck and sister Summer Phoenix and director Gus Van Sant.
• Martha Plimpton, played his older sister in PARENTHOOD (1989) while dating his brother River Phoenix in real life.
• Replaced Mark Ruffalo who had to pull out of SIGNS (2002) due to ill health.
• He is a good painter.
• Has a motorcycle.
• Was a model for Prada.
• Hits his head against walls when he thinks a scene isn't done right.
• Joaquin used to be a transsexual lap-dancer working in Japan.
• Was born with the scar on his lip.
• Joaquin changed his name to Leaf when he was 4 years old, to have a more earthy name like his siblings.
• His parents changed their Surname to Phoenix, which means strength, before they had their 5 children as a sign of a new beginning.
• Joaquin is that kind of person who is never getting married, and he love the way that he is.
• He was with River the night he died.
• His parents are divorced
• Likes Radiohead, Gangstarr, and John Lennon.
• His best friend is actor Casey Affleck, brother of Ben. Casey also dates Joaquin's sister, actress Summer Phoenix.
• Likes women to call him Kitten.
• Member and Spokesperson for PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals).
• Joaquin, his sister Summer, Casey Affleck and Director Gus Vans Sant all live in the same apartment building in New York.
• Does not eat eggs and does not drink milk.
• He enjoys Spanish soap operas.
• Watches Spanish soap operas to improve his acting ability.
• Speaks fluent Spanish.
• Likes country and rock music.
• Contrary to popular belief, the scar on his lip is not the result of a repaired cleft lip or palate. It is simply a birth mark. Phoenix has stated in interviews that, while pregnant with him, his mother felt a sharp pain one day, and he was born with a mark on his lip.
• Did his own vocals on the WALK THE LINE (2005) soundtrack.
• Favorite authors include Tennessee Williams, Rainer Maria Rilke and Hubert Selby Jr..
• He and River Phoenix are the first brothers to be nominated for acting Academy Awards.
• In his diner scene with Sean Penn in U TURN (1997) the song Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash starts playing. Years later, Joaquin played Cash in WALK THE LINE (2005).
• Is of Russian, Spanish and Hungarian heritage.
• Joaquin's mother is of Hungarian-Russian decent and his father is of Spanish-Irish decent.
• Close friends with Matt Damon.
• Close friends with Vince Vaughn.
• Kate Winslet calls him the best actor of his generation.
• Nickname: Kitten / Joaq
• Often brings his mother or any of his three sisters as his date to movie premieres or award shows.
• Once refused to wear shoes during a photo shoot for Prada because they were made out of leather.
• Owns two cats.
• Reportedly never reads his own press or reviews.
• Rides a Ducati motorcycle and a yellow '72 Le Mans.
• Shares a birthday with actress Julia Roberts.
• Spoke Spanish as a small child but forgot most of it as he got older.
• Was friends with Heath Ledger.
• Also credited as: Leaf Phoenix / Lief Phoenix
• Was paid $3,500,000 for WALK THE LINE (2005)
• Was paid $850,000 for LADDER 49 (2004)
• Was paid $5,000,000 for THE VILLAGE (2004)
• Was paid $1,000,000 for SIGNS (2002)
• Was paid $700,000 for BUFFALO SOLDIERS (2001)
• Was paid $375,000 for QUILLS (2000)
• Nominated for Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role at BAFTA Awards for GLADIATOR (2001)
• Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role at Screen Actors Guild Awards for GLADIATOR (2001)
• Nominated for Best Villain at MTV Movie Awards for GLADIATOR (2001)
• Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture at Golden Globe Awards for GLADIATOR (2001)
• Nominated for Best Line from a Movie at MTV Movie Awards for GLADIATOR (2001)
• Nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at Academy Awards for GLADIATOR (2001)
• It's kind of embarrassing, but I did jump a few times." (about his latest film, SIGNS)
• You work on a film, and you see 20 takes. When it's all put together, it's all flowing, there's a continuity. And if it's done right, you get just as swept away as anyone else."
• When I go out with the ladies, I don't force them to pronounce my name. I tell them I like to go by the nickname of Kitten."
• I had a Catholic girlfriend but she wouldn't, uh, share loving."
• After River's death, I felt like I was in an altered state. It took me over a year to get my life back.“
• As I'm reading a script, I start to see the character. I always seem to do something to my hair. A lot of stuff I do for a part, people don't even notice, but I notice, and it makes the character whole for me.“
• First of all, I really think that the greatest fear for actors, is reaching the point in which they go, 'God, I'm good at this', because I think the work will really suffer. It's not a conscious effort, it's just I always hope I can do justice to the films and characters. I feel that I've been choosy in my roles as much as I can be, and I only work on films that I REALLY want to make.“
• I changed my name because no one in the States could pronounce 'Joaquin' and I used to get really embarrassed about it as a kid. All the other kids in my family had gorgeous names and I got 'Joaquin', you know what I mean? So I said 'This is not good. Even I can't say it'.“
• I don't have the slightest desire to speak about my dead brother. It gets on my nerves to always be compared with him. My brother was a magnificent person and an outstanding actor.“
• I don't know Shakespeare! I'm not a serious actor. Directors always make references, and I go: "Ah, I'll check it out," and I never, ever do. I'm incredibly lazy.“
• I don't know why I always get to play these guys who have few redeeming features. But don't knock it. Villains are much more fun.“
• I enjoy humour more than anything, I don't really sit around banging my head and crying all the time.“
• I go into movies thinking, we're performing, but with interviews, we're pretending to be completely real. I just can't get my head around it. And the things we say in this hour could permanently shape our personas. I mean, tell me that's not a little odd! And because I think that's odd, people think I'm odd. And that's strange. Know what I'm saying?“
• I had a really wonderful upbringing. We were a tight family. It was wonderful to grow up with so many siblings. We were all just a year or two apart, and we were always so supportive of each other. I learned everything from my older brother and sister and taught it to my younger sisters.“
• I live a really boring life. I'm much more clichéd, pathetic and pretentious than you would probably give me credit for. I don't want to do much of anything when I'm not working. It's important that any woman I know shouldn't need to be stimulated outside the house, because I can't provide that.“
• I never think that I'm good at anything I do. I can always do it better, I know my weakness. I've never been perfect.“
• I'm going to sound a little weird here, but I like to spend a lot of time on my own in the woods. I don't exactly sneak off in the middle of the night, but I like to be in a place where no one can reach me by phone or e-mail.“
• I'm not the indie kid, and I'm also not the John Grisham novel hero, but I am all of those things. I do whatever excites me at the time. I'll be in some huge $80 million buddy cop movie, I don't care, and I'll also do some wild independent movie. I refuse to have an agenda.“
• If you can come in, say your lines brilliantly, and be thinking 'What's for lunch?' the whole time you're doing it and it works for the audience, who cares?“
• It's a bad idea for actors to grow accustomed to seeing themselves on camera, because inevitably you start doing things and become too self-conscious. The only way to prevent it is by not being aware of yourself in that way or at least trying not to be.“
• It's been a year since last time I tried to give up smoking. I went to a hypnotist; we sat down and started talking. A couple of hours later, I woke up; the hypnotist wasn't in the room, but his wife was. I was like 'Oh my goodness, I fell asleep and didn't get to talk to the doctor.' And she said 'Don't worry, you talked...' I freaked out, left their place, immediately bought a pack of cigarettes and smoked, terrified of what I'd said.“
• Making movies is a constant manipulation. You manipulate the environment. You make it rain when you want it to. You manipulate actors. And as an actor, you try and manipulate your feelings to match what you think you'd be going through in a situation where your character is going through something.“
• My significant other right now is myself, which is what happens when you suffer from multiple personality disorder and self-obsession.“
• That kind of fame; I couldn't have it in my life. I love that we can sit on the lawn in Central Park and I'm just one of the millions. I don't want to lose that. I'm trying to figure out the perfect strategy. And it's tough. I just want to be right in the middle.“
• The reason I keep making movies is I hate the last thing I did. I'm trying to rectify my wrongs.“
• On falling into acting: "I suck at painting and writing; I tried both. For me, it's acting because I grew up with it. When we moved to California, we all did commercials and TV shows. Riv was the first to get a TV show and me and my sister Liberty guest-starred on another show. It was kind of accidental.
• On his childhood and his live on the land with his family: "I remember us being poor, but I never felt embarrassed, or like I was missing anything. I don't remember the hardship of trying to make it, just how my parents always managed to get through.
• On relationship with Liv Tyler: "I was in awe. Every once in a while you find an actor that, with one word, can sum up eight different emotions. She absolutely nailed that.
• On relationship with Liv Tyler: "I'm a great believer in people coming into your life, and you into theirs, for a reason. And i know that when Liv and I met, it was for a reason - I really needed her and she really needed me. And at a certain point, I think we stopped evolving with each other, stopped progressing, and made a very mature decision to move on, even though there was still a great love there. There's no one gossipy thing that I can share. I'm thankful that we had the time we had.
• On relationship with Liv Tyler: "What can I say ? We hit it off immediately. She's a darling. I've said it over and over again. She's just very real, right there, never like a movie star. She's so genuine, and she doesn't take herself too seriously. It shows in the work she does that her honesty stands out most.
• On living without older brother River: “River and I would talk about being old, being in our 50s together, how it'd probably take us that long to get to work together. There was something gorgeous about us being old together. River will be missed -period. I mean now, more than ever I wish I could talk to him.
• On maintaining a lower profile then some of his other Hollywood peers: “The less someone knows about me, the better, because my intention is to play a variety of characters.
• On acting being his biggest challenge: “Acting. I'm one of those actors who likes to stay in character between takes. I drive other actors crazy but, to me, the most important thing when I'm making a film is that the character takes precedence. I become obsessed with whoever I'm playing. I want to explore the character as completely as I can. The moment an actor becomes satisfied with themselves, their work suffers. I think that we should always challenge ourselves in work. “
• Hollywood Film Awards: Actor Of The Year, WALK THE LINE (2005)
• San Diego Film Critics Society Awards: Special Award - Body of Work, QUILLS (2000) Nominated for Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture at Screen Actors Guild Awards for GLADIATOR (2001)
• Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards: Best Supporting Actor, QUILLS (2001)
• Blockbuster Entertainment Awards: Favorite Villain (Internet Only), GLADIATOR (2001)
• National Board of Review: Best Supporting Actor, GLADIATOR (2000)

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