Night At the Museum:  Battle of the Smithsonian as reported by Susan "Sam" Shockley -- "HER".

Washington, DC does not have many movie premiers but last night "Night at the Museum:  Battle of the Smithsonian" premiered here and there were 50 reporters to cover the event, including me.  I was struck with the generosity of the stars, willing to talk at length about their experience making this movie and their careers.

I found it fascinating that not many of the reporters had ever been on a Red Carpet (I thought I was the only one).  Arriving 45 minutes after 3 and the stars did not arrive until 6:30 gave this old lady sore legs.  Meanwhile, the guys (reporters) in line were talking and one fellow that looked like an expert said, "Make sure you ask a question they have never heard before".  Since my prepared questions ran along the line of, "Do you prefer comedy to drama", I panicked thinking that the 40 people in front of me would ask just that question.  Amy Adams was my first STAR and she was more beautiful than I had imagined.  She had a handler that looked like a sumo wrestler and when I asked a question that nobody had asked and she replied, "I won't answer that", (when actually she could have said, "I loved making that movie" and paid attention to another reporter, the handler said, "only ask questions about this movie".  Asking questions about this movie was hard to do, none of us had seen the movie.  From that point on I just said things from the heart. 

Amy Adams, Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson (came late, I didn't get to talk to him), Hank Azaria, Ricky Gervais, Mizuo Peck, Jake Cherry (12), Patrick Gallagher, Alain Chabat (Napolean) , John Bernthal (hottie), Rami Malek were all present and accounted for.  What a thrilling evening.  It would have been a thrill to meet any one of them but a night where you are invited to meet and talk to ALL of them was amazing. 

I was able to tell Ben Stiller that I miss his mother and think he is amazing for writing, producing and starring in "Tropic Thunder".   Robin Williams was happy to hear that I love his dramatic acting as much as his comedy, Hank Azaria did a little Agador for me, Ricky is a talker but the guy next to me got him first, Miss Peck (Sacajawea) told me that pronouncing her real name, Mizou, was just as confusing as her characters name.  Jake Cherry, the very first one on the carpet is 12...wow, the maturity and presence of this young man is incredible.  I am looking forward to seeing his performance.  Patrick Gallagher is Atilla the Hun, and was forthcoming that he had a smaller part in this, and yet a prominent position on the poster.  Alain Chabat and elegant frenchman fits the bill as Napolean, John Bernthal with his Hugh Grant hair is lovely and young Rami Malek so poised.  The only sad thing of the evening was what I was looking most forward to with Miss Adams, was a disaster and it was my fault.  I was amazed that many of them appreciated my compliments and actually shook my hand a second time.  Their eyes went up like they were thinking about the answers to my questions, they were eager and present, no canned speeches.

I want to thank Ivory Zorich for making this evening possible.  Oh, look, I am thanking the people that are so important yet unsung heroes.  I have a new appreciation for Oscar speeches.