Arts & Culture

“Light Years Away” Premieres at Universal Studios CityWalk

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 Adrienne Curry, Christopher Knight, Bryan Micheal StollerIt was a Very Brady family affair at Universal Studios CityWalk Wednesday evening at the premiere of Bryan Michael Stoller’s new independent film, "Light Years Away", starring  Brady Bunch  alum Christopher Knight. Cindy (Susan Olsen) and Gregg (Barry Williams) were out to celebrate their TVLand brother, who stars as David Sommers, an astronomer whose dream girl is transported to Earth from a distant galaxy through a high-powered telescope in the family-friendly fantasy.Barry Williams was the first of the Bunch to arrive. "I’m out to support Chris tonight,  he said after the three long-time friends joined together for some ‘family’ photos.

The movie marked a first for Knight, 49, whose last film was a small part in the 2005 film "L.A. Dicks". It was his first time acting alongside his new wife, "America’s Next Top Model" winner Adrianne Curry, 23, who plays a lab technician with a crush on Sommers in the film. The pair, who found love on the VH1 reality series "The Surreal Life" Susan Olsen, Christopher Knight, Bryan Micheal Stoller and Barry Williams.and documented their May-December romance on the show "My Fair Brady". tied the knot on May 29. Walking the red carpet, Curry proudly showed off the sparkling diamond dazzler on her right hand and lit up a cigarette as she dished on the experience of working with your significant other: "It was difficult!" Because in between takes, he needs silence, he needs time to study the script. I don’t need to be in character when it’s not in my face".

"He would get really pissed off at me and I’d be like sorry, I can’t work the way you do. I don’t want to be a f-ing dork, you know, when the cameras off", she said, ribbing her new husband before adding, "but he did an amazing job. I was really proud of him".

Light_years_3.jpgThe newlyweds were spitting images of their television personas, poking fun at each other and lightheartedly bickering about when to go talk to the myriad of fans lined up to snap their pictures. It must work for them: Knight confided that they are working on an as-yet-untitled, hush-hush project that he says "utilizes what the audience expects of us, which is to not agree". The pair also appears in an upcoming horror film, "Fallen Angels", slated to be released later this year.

Despite their disagreements together, the two were "like working with your best friends", said director Stoller, who also wrote and produced the film. They’re both sweethearts. You know Chris, its like hanging out with Peter Brady, without having pork chops and applesauce".

He said the three of them created a little on-the-set family with the rest of the cast. He was equally excited about his new film. light_years_GabrielJarret_a.jpg"It’s an old fashioned love story with a sci-fi twist to it. It’s an inspiring film. "It’s the kind of movie where people walk out of the theater and it’s really going to make them think…it’s really going to make them feel good and feel inspired".

Like a father, Stoller is the heart and soul of the film. Working with a budget of about three million, the film veteran has made more than 27 films since first hosting his own TV series, "Film Fun", at age 11 on the Canadian network CBC.

Stoller did most of the special effects himself, and it was his vision that drove the film. His extensive experience and expertise also drove him to write the go-to guide for wannabe filmmakers, the 2003 ‘Filmmaking for Dummies".

He is currently working on two untitled projects, one about a magical wizard, the other based on his dog, Little Bear. Little Bear has a very interesting past, he said: "He was owned by someone very famous known all over the world. He had to give him up and I was the one who got it". Could it be infamous pop star Michael Jackson, who is widely known to be a good friend of the director and also starred in his 2004 movie "Miss Castaway"? Stoller wouldn’t tell, so we may never know.

Tim_Payton "Light Years Away" also stars Eric Roberts as a corrupt rival astronomer, newcomer Meadow Williams as David’s dream girl Misty, and Tim Peyton as his best friend and side-kick Joey. Both Williams and Peyton made it to the premiere, along with the adorable pre-teen Zachary Kennedy, who plays the young David, a natural in front of the camera as he hammed it up for the photographers.

The event also brought out a veteran actor Tony Tarantino (father of director Quentin), and up-and-coming stars of both television and film model/actor Jason Graham, who stars in the upcoming Showtime series "Fore Play", Brazilian actress Jackeline Oliver of "Day of the Dead 2", actress Bridgetta Tomarchio, and Gabriel Jarret, who last appeared in the shipwreck blockbuster "Poseidon" and will also appear in "Fore Play". light_years_RockRiddle.jpgRock Riddle of Hollywood Success, an entertainment networking business came out to show support for his clients who also worked in the film.

Before the film began, guests were treated to a special performance of the movie’s theme song "A Million Miles Away". by rock group Sha-Boom. But the best part for Stoller, a native Canadian, was having his family by his side. "It’s one of the first movies where even my mom and my sisters haven’t seen the film", he said. Luckily, they were able to make the trip from Canada to the premiere, along with his best friend from childhood. ‘I think what’s really exciting tonight is friends and family are all here. That’s the most exciting part".

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