Jennifer Connelly's Sci-Fi Lesson

(CBS)  Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Connelly, who has starred in films like "Blood Diamond" and "A Beautiful Mind," learns something new every time she takes on another intense role.

In her latest role as an astrobiologist in the blockbuster remake of "The Day The Earth Stood Still," she has learned more about science fiction.

"I read the script and I thought it was great. I thought it was a great story," she said.

Although she hadn't seen the original iconic sci-fi classic, which was made in 1951, before reading the script, she went back and watched it many times.

"I love it. I think it's just fantastic. I think it was really cutting edge for its time. I think it was interesting. It was a very self-reflective film. It had a lot to say about that time and that special climate," Connelly said. "Great performances. Patricia Neil was fantastic. But it was such a great story. I thought there was room to retell it now."

Having also starred in a giant movie like "Hulk," Connelly has a feel for the magnitude of a giant blockbuster.

"This one was sort of interesting. It was a curious sort of blend, which is one of the things that I really loved about it. There is green screen work that we did. Primarily, the sequence where the sphere comes down in Central Park. It's a strange way to work, but, ultimately, I think it pays off because I think it's so beautiful what they did with it, but a lot of it was just me, Keanu and Jaden Smith sort of driving around in the car to figure out what was going to happen," she said.

Connelly, who plays an ultra smart scientist, had to beef up on her science however.

"When I read it (the script), no (I didn't fully understand it). But, of course, I had an obligation to make myself understand. So, I did some research," she said.

With the help of a science adviser and science professors, Connelly had a better grasp on the scientific component of the film.

"I was nervous about it," she admitted. "I had some bad dreams about, you know, wondering what would happen, you know? The sort of classic 'I will forget my lines.'"

[rational_1]

To all who read this. Please see the original version with Michael Rennie and Patricia Neal. Just by viewing the trailers for this remake, they only kept the title and maybe the title characters names intact. Why fool with a fantastic film and do a remake with CGI. Just because it can be done doesn''''t mean it should. If it ain''''t broke don''''t fix it.
Posted by dvillegas43 at 09:19 AM : Dec 10, 2008

Thanks for the reminder - I''ve been meaning to see this for years and just keep forgetting to put it on my Netflix queue. I agree with you - how often is a re-make of a classic ever close to the original?

[avigil2]

The 1951 classic is one of my favorite films of all time. But I''m still looking forward to seeing the remake which I''ll be watching at a special screening tomorrow night on IMAX. Who better to play a robotic spaceman than Keanu Reeves?

[dvillegas43-2009]

To all who read this. Please see the original version with Michael Rennie and Patricia Neal. Just by viewing the trailers for this remake, they only kept the title and maybe the title characters names intact. Why fool with a fantastic film and do a remake with CGI. Just because it can be done doesn''t mean it should. If it ain''t broke don''t fix it.

[tclvis-2009]

The actress from the 1951 film is "Patricia Neal," not "Neil."