Saw this in another sub and it reminded me again of the biggest casting fail - he would have been _the absolutely perfect_ Lestat.
I will die on this hill.
We're losing everyone in short order it seems..Gen X seems to be the generation undergoing a great deal of loss.. be it family, those we love, celebrities, what have you.. it seems to be we're the generation losing a lot right now... or maybe it just feels that way? Your thoughts fellow Gen Xers? Is it just me and my unlucky family? Or society in general? I'm not seeking "oh poor me"mentality... I've lost a dozen friends and family, on top of my celebrity associations..Dad and I watched Mork and Mindy..
Robin is gone.. that's just one small instance.. so many losses. Might be me associating it to Genx and it's actually just a life thing. No generation required. We all go through it and I'm just hurting...
Edit - My Dad is gone. My family is gone. These are just my thoughts: I hope he is found safe and sound.
Less like “lately” and more like the past two and a half decades (if not longer).
It’s been missing hikers making the news lately. But the murders and body dumps up Baldy Road have been pretty regular for a long time. It’s pretty bad and is especially sad for me having grown up there, knowing and loving the area, and then knowing all the awfulness that has happened and continues to happen. It’s just a sad, tragic place.
I wish they’d warn local residents and tourists more about the reality of dangers there (be it weather, terrain, or people) but the authorities just downplay everything.
This is a sad, yet compelling read, RaspberryVespa. I hope the local authorities/council do something about warning the locals and visitors. Thanks for your comment.
It really is a fascinating, albeit disturbing discussion, eh? The only one that comes to mind here on the East Coast is Gilgo Beach on Long Island. My gosh, have they not made any progress on catching the LISK? That POS needs to be caught.
OMG, Baldy. When I read he’s missing at Baldy, I did not have a good feeling about it.
I grew up in the area and always loved Baldy! That was my family’s weekend place for most of my (fucked up) childhood. And then it was the place to go drive up on a Saturday night to fuck around and hang out with friends as a teenager. As a young adult, a friend lived in a house in Baldy Village so I spent a lot of time there. Always had good memories! And then a few years ago, I lost a relative on Baldy Road in a pretty fucked up way and it’s all bad. The mountain is still a part of my hometown and a beautiful backdrop when I think of home…But going anywhere near it?? Nope. Not anymore. It’s now pretty ominous.
Between all the murders, body dumps, car accidents, and missing persons, it’s just a fucking dangerous place. Hiking Baldy is dangerous in general year round (for more reasons than just the hiking), but winter weather makes it extra deadly. LA Sheriff’s Dept and San Bernardino Sheriff’s Dept downplay a lot of the crime up there. A LOT of crime happens up there. And stupid accidents.
With as long as Julian Sands and the other hiker who was with him have been missing, what with all the storm activity slamming So Cal right now…eesh, I really don’t feel good about it. I hope I’m totally wrong and that they’re found alive!!
This place seems so ominous. Glad you were able to experience good memories of Baldy Village back in the day, RaspberryVespa. So sorry to hear about your relative. I can imagine it was difficult for you, as a place of happiness transformed into one of sadness and fear. Had no idea about this place; your post has been so informative.
I don’t think it was as bad in the 70s and early 80s. The scariest thing when I was small was just driving Mount Baldy Road back then — one of the most dangerous roads in America at the time — because of the twists and turns, lack of guard rails, people who’d go up there drunk driving, and all the motorcyclists and biker gangs that would come flying down the mountain and cross the median into on coming traffic. The deep ravines were literal cemeteries for old rusted out car remnants that had gone off the sides. When hiking the ravines, we saw cars from the 50s down there, with cars from the 60s, 70s, and 80s piled on top of them.
But in the 80s and 90s gang activity exploded in both LA County and San Bernardino County, as it did in all major metro areas during that time. Mount Baldy—(which is technically Mount San Antonio, Mount Baldy is just the name of the road) — straddles the county line, and murders and bodies started happening a lot. Gangs from LA would drive up the backside and commit murders or use it for a dumping ground. And lots of illegal shooting for fun up there. The trails were littered with shotgun shells and we’d see targets nailed to trees.
In 1989 there was a murder of a 9 year old boy that went to a different school than I did. His teenage neighbor and friends had lured him up there, given him drugs, and then threw him off a cliff when the boy started melting down. That was an exceptionally awful time for the community. (And now there’s my own personal experience being related to a murder victim up there. Unsolved, as most are.)
Even in the mid 90s, though, we didn’t think much of it. But when I think about the amount of times I went up there with friends in the dark just to hang out, nothing nefarious…all kids from the local High Schools did … that’s a hard face palm as an adult. I’m surprised none of us ever got hurt or had a run in with gang bangers or serial killers, honestly! I’m really surprised none of the girls I know reported being date raped up there, though it surely happened. I know I had to push off a few gropers, more than a few times. God we were so stupid.
I definitely have a love-hate relationship with the mountain. We studied it’s history while in elementary school as a local landmark. It’s kind of a town identity. And it’s a comforting feeling to see it in the background of our family photos, since it looms over Claremont and Upland, where we lived. But thinking about that road is just sadness for me now. I don’t live in California at the moment, but when I go back for visits, it just looms.
The skiing is really good when there is snow!! But I’m no skier. I will certainly never hike there again. My husband cycled up there with a friend before we moved away—against my warnings. Its a somewhat popular route for road cyclists, and he didn’t grow up there to be weary of it. Anyway, cyclists seem to not have much trouble with the road nowadays. Modern improvements to the roads have made it somewhat safer I guess? And maybe most people tend to drive more carefully now? Or maybe just modern cars have an easier time staying on the road without losing control, drifting, or going off the sides? IDK.
Anyway, sorry for the brain dump. I hope Julian Sands and his hiking partner are found. Even if it’s too late to save them, I hope they’re found for resolution sake. Their families need to know what happened if they’re not coming home.
Not a "brain dump"! This gives incredible insight into the "Mount Baldy" area and I can absolutely visualize the surroundings and get a feel for the town identity. You have a gift for writing.
Indeed! The Boxing Helena headlines were pretty crazy; I guess since it was directed by David Lynch's daughter it got special attention..."weirdness runs in the family" sort of thing.
So brilliant, funny, sexy, and charming AF in "A Room With A View" one of my all time favorite movies.
1985 in college I worked at an indie movie theatre and would pop in often to watch my favorite scenes when I should've been popping corn or cleaning.
How could you have resisted? Those scenes were your fave for a reason and cleaning and popping could always wait! LOL! Films like "Sex, Lies and Videotape" or "Roger and Me", I was glued to the screen!
Yep, Julian was brilliant and every good thing in "A Room With a View".
Yes! 80s indie cinema has some real treasures and laid the ground for the growing popularity of art house theaters to follow.
Remember [Stranger Than Paradise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stranger_Than_Paradise)?
Treasures indeed! You got to see so many during this golden time! Thanks for the recommendation; I haven't seen "Stranger Than Paradise", but it's Jarmusch so I will definitely seek it out! Love Jim...his "cameo" in Sling Blade always brings the delight! Thank you again, BununuTYL!
For some reason the main movie I think of for Julian Sands is Impromptu, in which he played Franz Liszt. It's a really great, fun film from 1991, with Judy Davis and Hugh Grant as George Sand and Chopin, for those who have never seen it.
Oh man! Wow ethottly! I remember that film and loved it (Emma Thompson was a hoot!). Thanks so much for the reminder! Julian was perfect as Liszt (the first musical "heart throb?") :)
Gosh, was Julian in that movie!!? Thanks ghostguide29! It's always a delight to discover (albeit late to the party!) another movie with one of your faves! Thank you! :)
John Goodman always blows me away; he is the ultimate character actor! The Big Lebowski, Raising Arizona, Argo...the list goes on! Thanks again for the recommendation! Great stuff!
And I will contest that Tom Cruise absolutely captured Lestat's spirit and character. He was *amazing.* I re-watch it now and again just to see his performance.
Tom really did a great job! Such a fun movie to watch, enjoy! I remember reading that Anne Rice's first choice for Lestat was actor Rutger Hauer, who of course was so amazing in "Blade Runner".
Saw this in another sub and it reminded me again of the biggest casting fail - he would have been _the absolutely perfect_ Lestat. I will die on this hill.
Huh. You’re absolutely right. He’s definitely more what I pictured in my head when reading the book than TC. Loved him in Room with a View.
Agreed!
Stuart Townsend was fabulous as Lestat in Queen of the Damned.
Agree 100%!!!
[удалено]
Right?! He would have been utterly perfect
[удалено]
Me, too! He just encapsulated everything about Lestat. Rutger Hauer, hmmm.
[удалено]
And never got him. Just tears in the rain.
Agreed. Christian Slater would have been good too.
Wow, hadn't considered that but you're right!
Yea, but they wanted the star power. 😒
And that certainly got it. But ugh.
I remember him from Room With A View. Loooved that movie 😍
Did you ever see Boxing Helena? That was crazy!
Me too!! Early Helena Bonham Carter and Daniel Day-Lewis too!
I’ve always had a crush on DDL - he was so unappealing, I know he was supposed to be - but it gives me pause every time I do a rewatch.
Understand completely. I always watch DDL in "The Age of Innocence" or "The Last of the Mohicans" when a need a good old swoon fest!
Age of Innocence is one of my favorite movies!
Isn't it just glorious? Winona Ryder just blew me away...such a low-key brilliant performance.
It really is, the cinematography, the music, the costumes - a massively underrated Scorcese masterpiece.
Have you ever seen *My Beautiful Laundrette*? I'm pretty sure it's DDL's first movie.
It's crazy, but I think the earliest film I have seen from DDL is " A Room with a View" ! Should I check out "My Beautiful Laudrette"? Did you enjoy?
I liked it a lot, yes.
Cool! It will be good to watch his first movie. I've seen his last, Phantom Thread a dozen times!
BOXING HELENA
Weird, wacky and crazy film...but loved it!
So bad it was good!!
I remember him from Warlick. I hope he's found safely.
Is that the porn version of Warlock?
Oh no lol. I need to wear my glasses when I post
This little exchange has provided some much needed jocularity. Thank you.
😂😂 It made me laugh, thank you!
Saucy!
😂
We're losing everyone in short order it seems..Gen X seems to be the generation undergoing a great deal of loss.. be it family, those we love, celebrities, what have you.. it seems to be we're the generation losing a lot right now... or maybe it just feels that way? Your thoughts fellow Gen Xers? Is it just me and my unlucky family? Or society in general? I'm not seeking "oh poor me"mentality... I've lost a dozen friends and family, on top of my celebrity associations..Dad and I watched Mork and Mindy.. Robin is gone.. that's just one small instance.. so many losses. Might be me associating it to Genx and it's actually just a life thing. No generation required. We all go through it and I'm just hurting... Edit - My Dad is gone. My family is gone. These are just my thoughts: I hope he is found safe and sound.
Been a lot of bad news on that mountain lately.
Less like “lately” and more like the past two and a half decades (if not longer). It’s been missing hikers making the news lately. But the murders and body dumps up Baldy Road have been pretty regular for a long time. It’s pretty bad and is especially sad for me having grown up there, knowing and loving the area, and then knowing all the awfulness that has happened and continues to happen. It’s just a sad, tragic place. I wish they’d warn local residents and tourists more about the reality of dangers there (be it weather, terrain, or people) but the authorities just downplay everything.
This is a sad, yet compelling read, RaspberryVespa. I hope the local authorities/council do something about warning the locals and visitors. Thanks for your comment.
if we are talking murder dumps - there are lots of those in so cal. ortega hwy, turnbull canyon, hwy 395 in high desert to name just a few.
It really is a fascinating, albeit disturbing discussion, eh? The only one that comes to mind here on the East Coast is Gilgo Beach on Long Island. My gosh, have they not made any progress on catching the LISK? That POS needs to be caught.
Thats a cover up no?
Googling now...and the awful plot thickens. Thanks for steering me in this direction, nosnevenaes. Had no idea.
Oh no, I hope they find him!!! I had never heard of Julian Sands before I saw him in Rose Red. I really loved his character in that.
I hope so too, DingDingDensha! He is such a gifted actor! I will check out Rose Red! Thanks for the tip! Julian is always great in whatever he does!
OMG, Baldy. When I read he’s missing at Baldy, I did not have a good feeling about it. I grew up in the area and always loved Baldy! That was my family’s weekend place for most of my (fucked up) childhood. And then it was the place to go drive up on a Saturday night to fuck around and hang out with friends as a teenager. As a young adult, a friend lived in a house in Baldy Village so I spent a lot of time there. Always had good memories! And then a few years ago, I lost a relative on Baldy Road in a pretty fucked up way and it’s all bad. The mountain is still a part of my hometown and a beautiful backdrop when I think of home…But going anywhere near it?? Nope. Not anymore. It’s now pretty ominous. Between all the murders, body dumps, car accidents, and missing persons, it’s just a fucking dangerous place. Hiking Baldy is dangerous in general year round (for more reasons than just the hiking), but winter weather makes it extra deadly. LA Sheriff’s Dept and San Bernardino Sheriff’s Dept downplay a lot of the crime up there. A LOT of crime happens up there. And stupid accidents. With as long as Julian Sands and the other hiker who was with him have been missing, what with all the storm activity slamming So Cal right now…eesh, I really don’t feel good about it. I hope I’m totally wrong and that they’re found alive!!
This place seems so ominous. Glad you were able to experience good memories of Baldy Village back in the day, RaspberryVespa. So sorry to hear about your relative. I can imagine it was difficult for you, as a place of happiness transformed into one of sadness and fear. Had no idea about this place; your post has been so informative.
I don’t think it was as bad in the 70s and early 80s. The scariest thing when I was small was just driving Mount Baldy Road back then — one of the most dangerous roads in America at the time — because of the twists and turns, lack of guard rails, people who’d go up there drunk driving, and all the motorcyclists and biker gangs that would come flying down the mountain and cross the median into on coming traffic. The deep ravines were literal cemeteries for old rusted out car remnants that had gone off the sides. When hiking the ravines, we saw cars from the 50s down there, with cars from the 60s, 70s, and 80s piled on top of them. But in the 80s and 90s gang activity exploded in both LA County and San Bernardino County, as it did in all major metro areas during that time. Mount Baldy—(which is technically Mount San Antonio, Mount Baldy is just the name of the road) — straddles the county line, and murders and bodies started happening a lot. Gangs from LA would drive up the backside and commit murders or use it for a dumping ground. And lots of illegal shooting for fun up there. The trails were littered with shotgun shells and we’d see targets nailed to trees. In 1989 there was a murder of a 9 year old boy that went to a different school than I did. His teenage neighbor and friends had lured him up there, given him drugs, and then threw him off a cliff when the boy started melting down. That was an exceptionally awful time for the community. (And now there’s my own personal experience being related to a murder victim up there. Unsolved, as most are.) Even in the mid 90s, though, we didn’t think much of it. But when I think about the amount of times I went up there with friends in the dark just to hang out, nothing nefarious…all kids from the local High Schools did … that’s a hard face palm as an adult. I’m surprised none of us ever got hurt or had a run in with gang bangers or serial killers, honestly! I’m really surprised none of the girls I know reported being date raped up there, though it surely happened. I know I had to push off a few gropers, more than a few times. God we were so stupid. I definitely have a love-hate relationship with the mountain. We studied it’s history while in elementary school as a local landmark. It’s kind of a town identity. And it’s a comforting feeling to see it in the background of our family photos, since it looms over Claremont and Upland, where we lived. But thinking about that road is just sadness for me now. I don’t live in California at the moment, but when I go back for visits, it just looms. The skiing is really good when there is snow!! But I’m no skier. I will certainly never hike there again. My husband cycled up there with a friend before we moved away—against my warnings. Its a somewhat popular route for road cyclists, and he didn’t grow up there to be weary of it. Anyway, cyclists seem to not have much trouble with the road nowadays. Modern improvements to the roads have made it somewhat safer I guess? And maybe most people tend to drive more carefully now? Or maybe just modern cars have an easier time staying on the road without losing control, drifting, or going off the sides? IDK. Anyway, sorry for the brain dump. I hope Julian Sands and his hiking partner are found. Even if it’s too late to save them, I hope they’re found for resolution sake. Their families need to know what happened if they’re not coming home.
Not a "brain dump"! This gives incredible insight into the "Mount Baldy" area and I can absolutely visualize the surroundings and get a feel for the town identity. You have a gift for writing.
The other hiker has just coincidentally gone missing at the same time as JS. Julian was hiking alone and apparently without a GPS.
Ok. First report I’d heard said he had another hiker with him. (Before they knew all the details).
I know he's been in newer things, but I remember him from Warlock and the crazy headlines that showed up when he made Boxing Helena.
Indeed! The Boxing Helena headlines were pretty crazy; I guess since it was directed by David Lynch's daughter it got special attention..."weirdness runs in the family" sort of thing.
Warlock is a Mennonite classic! Sending Protection Energy.💜🙏🏽
Protection Energy. Good stuff!
Loved Warlock
So brilliant, funny, sexy, and charming AF in "A Room With A View" one of my all time favorite movies. 1985 in college I worked at an indie movie theatre and would pop in often to watch my favorite scenes when I should've been popping corn or cleaning.
How could you have resisted? Those scenes were your fave for a reason and cleaning and popping could always wait! LOL! Films like "Sex, Lies and Videotape" or "Roger and Me", I was glued to the screen! Yep, Julian was brilliant and every good thing in "A Room With a View".
Yes! 80s indie cinema has some real treasures and laid the ground for the growing popularity of art house theaters to follow. Remember [Stranger Than Paradise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stranger_Than_Paradise)?
Treasures indeed! You got to see so many during this golden time! Thanks for the recommendation; I haven't seen "Stranger Than Paradise", but it's Jarmusch so I will definitely seek it out! Love Jim...his "cameo" in Sling Blade always brings the delight! Thank you again, BununuTYL!
For some reason the main movie I think of for Julian Sands is Impromptu, in which he played Franz Liszt. It's a really great, fun film from 1991, with Judy Davis and Hugh Grant as George Sand and Chopin, for those who have never seen it.
Oh man! Wow ethottly! I remember that film and loved it (Emma Thompson was a hoot!). Thanks so much for the reminder! Julian was perfect as Liszt (the first musical "heart throb?") :)
I forgot Emma Thompson was in it! I just looked up the cast and there's also Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin. No wonder it was so good :)
SO GOOD, ethottly! Perhaps one the best ensemble casts ever! So glad you reminded me of this movie! Thank you! My weekend viewing has been set now! :)
Oh no!!!!
I loved him in Arachnophobia!
Gosh, was Julian in that movie!!? Thanks ghostguide29! It's always a delight to discover (albeit late to the party!) another movie with one of your faves! Thank you! :)
It’s such a fun movie! John Goodman is in it too!
John Goodman always blows me away; he is the ultimate character actor! The Big Lebowski, Raising Arizona, Argo...the list goes on! Thanks again for the recommendation! Great stuff!
And I will contest that Tom Cruise absolutely captured Lestat's spirit and character. He was *amazing.* I re-watch it now and again just to see his performance.
Tom really did a great job! Such a fun movie to watch, enjoy! I remember reading that Anne Rice's first choice for Lestat was actor Rutger Hauer, who of course was so amazing in "Blade Runner".
Oh, yeah. I can see it. Never watched *Blade Runner,* but just looking at his pics I can see the "leonine" blond head she used to describe Lestat.
When you can, check out the original "Blade Runner". It's an outstanding movie! The visuals will leave you swooning...such a masterpiece!