For the very first time, John Lloyd Cruz joined Velvet Channel’s Tribute To The Oscars exhibit where he depicted Robert Downey Jr. in the latter’s movie, Sherlock Holmes. John Lloyd seemed perfect for the role since not only does he resemble the dashing Hollywood actor but they also share the same versatility when it comes to acting. But when asked how he feels to be dubbed as the Pinoy counterpart of Robert Downey Jr., John Lloyd humbly replied, “Malayo naman tayo dun. Well, it’s very interesting na naging ako si Robert Downey Jr. in the movie Sherlock Holmes kahit sa isang araw lang. Hindi ko lang kasi napanood pa, pero alam ko yung Sherlock Holmes. The whole experience has been very interesting and I’m looking forward to see the final layout ng lahat na nag-participate sa exhibition/competition ng Velvet para sa Oscar.”John Lloyd further shared that he’s a huge fan of Downey’s films as well as his brief singing career. “I’m a big fan of Robert Downey. Alam mo ba na meron pa akong kopya ng first album niya na ‘The Futurist?’ Tapos, yung mga mas recent na projects niya na yung napanood ko like Iron Man, Due Date… Kasi ‘di ba tumigil siya for a time ng matagal? So yung mga lumang pelikula niya hindi ko na naabutan. I’ve yet to see Chaplin as well as his romantic comedies like Only You and Heart and Souls. But for Sherlock Holmes, hindi ko lang inexpect na ganito pala katanda. I saw a picture of him in the movie, medyo may mga lines na nga [siya sa mukha] kaya medyo heavy makeup yung nilagay sa akin para ma-achieve yung look niya.”
As for his bets for the 83rd Academy Awards, John Lloyd revealed that he was mainly struck by the performances of Natalie Portman in Black Swan and James Franco in 127 Hours. “Grabe, parang nag-set si Natalie Portman ng ibang standard pagdating sa pag-arte. Siyempre kami naman, bilang mga artista, exposed din kami sa larangan ng arts. Parang ngayon lang ako nakakita ng isang ballerina na ganon ka-passionate. Kumbaga after watching the movie nag-iba yung tingin ko sa art ng ballet. Kahit yung dance talagang nagbigay siya ng ibang interpretation, sobrang galing. Si James Franco naman ganon din, napatunayan niya na, ‘Kaya kong gumawa ng pelikula kahit ako lang mag-isa at bato lang ang nasa paligid ko.”
Is it his greatest wish for one of his movies to be nominated in such a prestigious award-giving body in the future? “Hindi naman malayo yung ma-nominate ang isang pelikulang Pilipino sa Oscar especially ngayon napasok na naman natin yun, yung manalo sa International Emmy or sa Cannes. Pero sa Oscar, siguro foreign language aabot…medyo mahirap pero hindi imposible.”
All the photos in this year’s competition will be unveiled on February 24 at the Rockwell Power Plant Mall.
The Oscars air live on Velvet Channel on February 28, beginning at 6:30 am with On the Red Carpet: The Arrivals; 8 am Oscars Red Carpet Live; 9:30 am The 83rd Annual Academy Awards; and 1 pm E! After Party: The 2011 Academy Awards. Primetime telecast begins at 7 pm with On the Red Carpet: The Arrivals; 8 pm Oscars Red Carpet Live; 9:30 pm The 83rd Annual Academy Awards; and 12:30 am (February 29) E! After Party: The 2011 Academy Awards.
