Jay Hernandez: Surviving Hollywood

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Category: Interviews

Published: Tuesday, 09 December 2008 09:05

Written by Lupe Haas

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Acting Out The Recession with Jacob Vargas

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Category: Interviews

Published: Wednesday, 09 September 2009 03:28

Written by Lupe Haas

Actor Jacob Vargas may not be a household name but this familiar face has been a working actor with steady roles on television (Moonlight, ER, CSI:NY) and in major Hollywood films, starring alongside Jason Statham (Death Race), Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Foxx (Jarhead), and Jennifer Lopez (Selena) for over 20 years. 

With his latest indie science fiction thriller SLEEP DEALER arriving on DVD, the actor tells CineMovie his secrets to staying in the Hollywood game and tips for aspiring actors. 

Q:  Is it a struggle to get roles?

Jacob: It’s always a challenge.  Unfortunately there are more actors than are roles.  You just have to go in and do something different.  You have to be on top of your game.

Q: Besides having an agent and manager constantly looking for new projects, how are you active in searching for projects as well?

Jacob: I’ve been fortunate to have a group of friends who are also actors and we all plug each other into other projects.  If I hear of a project, I’ll let my friends know and vice versa. On set, you make good relationships with other people on crews and you find that most cinematographers want to be directors and so forth.  And everybody’s got a project.  So as soon as you open up that door, then you find out there are all these projects.   Eventually you become part of that project early on. 

Q: How has the writer’s strike early last year and the recession affected you?

Jacob: I do feel that there are less projects out there.  And the studios know that and know actors want to work.  That’s been an issue.  Honestly I’ve been taking this slow time to spend with my family.  I’m bonding with my daughter which I haven’t been able to do in the last five years.  So I’m just sitting it out and waiting out this recession.

Vargas’ SLEEP DEALER, now on DVD, has a lot in common with DISTRICT 9 the low-budget sci-fi film out of South Africa which was a surprise summer hit.  Both independent films were shot in a foreign country with a limited budget and both share a message about immigration issues.  SLEEP DEALER, a critical hit at the Sundance Film Festival in 2008, however, was made for a lot less than District 9. 

VIDEO INTERVIEW: SLEEP DEALER director and Leonore Varela (Blade II)

Q:  How was the experience shooting the film?

Jacob: It was a challenge in itself.  I loved the subject matter and the political messages behind it. I had never seen a film set in a border town in Tijuana which is something you’ve never seen before.  With the success of District 9, you might see it more often now.  But I hadn’t seen anything like that before.  So I thought it would be something interesting.  But really the challenge on shooting the film was the budget or lack of.   You had to beresourceful when you were doing things on green screen. There are a lot of unknowns but you have to commit and give yourself to the project and trust the director or visual director that everything will turn out okay.

Q:  Do you have an acting method?

Jacob: I’m a big people watcher.  I love going to a crowded place – sitting there for hours watching people interact.  In my mind, I kind of create little scenarios in each conversation.  You wonder what they’re talking about, what their history is, what they have just gone through.  I don’t know if that’s an acting technique or just voyeurism?  We’re all actors.  I believe that human beings are always acting for one reason or another.  Either to impress somebody, to make somebody laugh.  We’re always in some shape or form performing.

Q: Have you tried method acting for any roles?

Jacob: I have in the past.  I tried but for some reason it’s always back-fired for me.  That doesn’t work for me.

Jacob: I would love to do the bio pic on Cesar Chavez the organizer and another great story is the Joaquin Murrieta story.  It would be like the Charles Bronson revenge film set in early California. 

Q:  What would be your best advice for those starting out?

Jacob: Find another profession. (Kidding)  Patience, resilience and just learn as much as possible.  Read as many books on acting and take lots of classes.  But not just on acting.  Now it’s not enough to be an actor.  You have to understand the business and technical side of it – lenses, camera angles, lighting, etc. in order to be a good actor.  You have to understand all of that. 

And we can understand why this young actor will be have a long Hollywood career.  Currently, Jacob Vargas can be seen in his latest film SLEEP DEALER on DVD and next up for the Latino actor, Kerosene Cowboys, a Mario Van Peebles film set for a 2009 release. 

George Lopez and Luke Wilson on "HENRY POOLE IS HERE"

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Category: Interviews

Published: Wednesday, 13 August 2008 07:42

Written by Lupe Haas

George Lopez, Luke Wilson, director Mark Pellington and their "Henry Poole is Here" co-stars talk to CineMovie.TV about their new film and their belief in divine interventions. "Henry Poole is Here" opens Friday, August 15. 

Movie Synopsis: 

Luke Wilson (“The Royal Tenenbaums”, “Old School”), Academy Award® nominee Adriana Barraza (“Babel”) and Radha Mitchell (“Finding Neverland”) star in a modern day fable about the unexpected wonders of the everyday from director Mark Pellington (“U2 3D”, “The Mothman Prophecies”.  Henry Poole is Here tells the funny, poignant and uplifting story of a disillusioned man who attempts to hide from life in a rundown suburban tract home only to discover he cannot escape the forces of hope.

Henry’s self-imposed exile is shattered when his nosy neighbor Esperanza (Adriana Barraza) discovers a mysterious stain on Henry’s stucco wall that is seen to have miraculous powers. She begins leading pilgrimages to the “holy site” and invites church officials, including her pastor, Father Salizar (George Lopez), to inspect the apparition.Although Henry remains skeptical, he finds himself gradually drawn back towards life, especially after his silent friendship with Millie brings him closer to Dawn. As news of the apparition spreads throughout the neighborhood and his feelings for Dawn grow, Henry realizes his plan to live out his days in quiet desperation is going to be much harder than he ever imagined.  

Running Time: 104 minutes                                                             MPAA Rating: PG

Cast Interviews & Movie Reviews: Next Day Air

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Category: Interviews

Published: Tuesday, 05 May 2009 14:02

Written by Lupe Haas

"Scrubs" Donald Faison stars alongside Mike Epps, Mos Def, Wood Harris ("The Wire") and Debbie Allen in NEXT DAY AIR, a hilarious action comedy.  

When two small-time hoods (Mike Epps and Wood Harris) receive a package of grade-A cocaine meant for their wannabe gangster neighbor, they think they've hit the jackpot.  But when they try to cash in, it triggers a series of events that forever changes the lives of ten people. 

CineMovie sat down with the cast to ask what they would do if they received a package meant for someone else and why you should see this movie instead of the Hollywood summer blockbusters.

NEXT DAY AIR opens May 8th.

Bromance: Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna

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Category: Interviews

Published: Friday, 08 May 2009 00:33

Written by Lupe Haas

Actors Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal star as brothers aspiring to be soccer players (Cursi) and a singer (Rudo) in RUDO Y CURSI (Tough and Corny) but off screen the real life buddies share many things including a partnership in a production company Canana Film.

In our interview with the stars, Deigo and Gael's kid each other about old age and a possible singing and soccer career with Maryl Celiz who sat down with the budding stars.  Director Carlos Cuaron also chimes in on the boy's new careers. 

RUDO Y CURSI opens in movie theaters May 8th.  Watch trailer.

Moises Arias in Beethoven's Big Break

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Category: Interviews

Published: Friday, 26 December 2008 08:53

Written by Lupe Haas

The unruly dog Beethoven is back for more canine fun in Beethoven’s Big Break and “Hannah Montana’s” Moises Arias is the new owner of the lovable pooch.  The fourteen year old actor broke into Hollywood in 2005 with roles on television’s “Everybody Hates Chris”, “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” and as a series regular on Disney Channel hits series “Hannah Montana” starring Miley Cyrus.   An appearance in Jack Black’s Nacho Libre also propelled the actor into the big time. 

The well-spoken young actor speaks to CineMovie by phone recounting his experience in shooting the sixth movie in the Beethoven saga.

Was this your first time acting with animals?
Yes, and it was harder.  Usually I run my lines with an actual person but having a dog co-star didn’t make it easy.  It was definitely a different experience.

How many dogs played Beethoven?
There were three dogs for different purposes;  a St. Bernard for close-ups, a running dog, and a female dog with the puppies.  They were afraid a male dog would bite the puppies.

Like the mischievous Beethoven dog, were the dogs unruly on set or are they well trained? 
The dogs were well-behaved but there were times when the cookie treats didn’t work and they didn’t do as they were told.  It was fun to watch.

Which scene with the dog took the longest to shoot?
There was a scene where Beethoven jumps on me and licks my face.  They covered my cheek in chicken flavored baby food and we had to keep reshooting that scene over and over.  It was pretty disgusting having to do it multiple times.  

The classic Beethoven movies are out on DVD as well.  Have you seen any of the five previous Beethoven films?
I’ve seen two or three of them because I was curious to see what kind of tricks the dog did in those movies. 

"Hannah Montana" is more popular than ever.  How are things on set?
The show is great.  The scripts are still really funny.  We’re like family because we’ve been together for so long. We’re a lot older but not much else has changed.

Any plans to branch out like Miley Cyrus and take up singing or dancing?
My shower says no.  I can’t sing!  I am open to dancing.  I like hip hop but my passion is acting.  But I do plan on attending college as a back up plan.

What actors do you aspire to be like?
Will Smith.  He has done so much and I really like his choices.  Other actors I admire are Antonio Banderas and Brad Pitt. 

Do you hope to break out of the Disney type roles?
I really want to do drama.   That would be really challenging and something I’d have to work harder at than any other role.  I look forward to it. 

In addition, Moises eventually hopes to write and direct with his brother, citing the Coen brothers as their inspiration.  Moises Arias seems clear about his future and with three movies due out in 2009 (The Perfect Game with Cheech Marin, Hannah Montana movie, Astro Boy), this child actor is on the right track.  Catch Moises and his fury friend in Beethoven’s Big Break on DVD now. 

Yes Man Carrey

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Category: Interviews

Published: Tuesday, 16 December 2008 17:32

Written by Lupe Haas

It’s no surprise Jim Carrey’s career has lasted through hits and misfires.  The energetic and positive funny man had the press and his fellow Yes Man co-stars (Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper, John Michael Higgins, Danny Masterson) laughing and entertained throughout the press conference promoting his latest comedy Yes Man at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

In Yes Man, Jim is Carl, a negative person always saying no to life until he is forced into thinking as a yes man and agrees to everything.  Jim took this to heart in real life.  Jim Carrey took method acting one step forward with a leap off a bridge for a bungee jump scene in which he insisted on performing himself.

CineMovie:  What was going through your mind when you were on that bridge?   

Jim:  Death.  Lots about death and lots of crossing over were actually going through my mind.  Prior to that I thought to myself, “They do this all the time.  They’ve got this down.” But when I stepped onto that bridge - that was intense enough. “What have I done?  Why am I doing here!”  Then when I got my feet up on the ledge, it literally felt like a freight train going through my veins and body until I jumped.  It was insane.  I actually had post traumatic stress for about a week after the jump.  I dreamt of hitting the ground.  Those people who do it all the time are addicted to that adrenaline rush like you would not believe.

John Michael Higgins:  Can I ask a question?  You have a scene answering the cell phone while you’re hanging, did they reset the shot or was it all in one take?

Jim:  I’m always trying to complicate things.  At the last second, I was like, “Well maybe I can get that in!”   So I made a styrofoam cell phone so it wouldn’t hit me in the lip, put it in my pocket, and gave it a shot.  And I did it.  Once I knew I was alive, I was fine. 

CineMovie:   Would you do it again?

Jim:  No, did that and crossed it off my list.  They didn’t want me to do it at all so I said I’m only going to do it once in my life so might as well get it on camera. 

In a separate press conference with Director Peyton Reed, Reed tells us he took every possible safety precaution that day for his star and moved the scene to the last day of shooting to satisfy the studio, producers, and insurance company who initially refused to grant Jim’s request to bungee jump himself.  Multiple cameras caught the one-time Jim jump and even Reed was surprised to see Jim have the presence of mind to finish the scene with him talking into a cell phone.

Jim took on other life threatening risks for Yes Man but his life was not in danger this time.

Jim:  I had to learn Korean phonetically every day for four weeks with a Korean coach who literally is afraid to go back to Korea if I got it wrong.  He would tell me, “No!  No! No!  This is serious.  I will be hurt.” So I hope I got it right.  But he was on me and it took a while.  It was the hardest thing I’ve had to do in my life but I was dedicated. Very dedicated.

CineMovie:  Speaking of tough, what scene was the hardest to shoot or get through in the movie?

Bradley Cooper:  The scene that didn’t make it in the movie was the brawl at the bar.

Jim:  [laughs] Our true punk nature came out.

Bradley:  [to Jim] You went for it.  There were a bunch of stunt guys and extras, and Jim just said,  “Let’s go for it.  Lets mess around a bit.”

Jim:  Let’s go melee!  Hockey fight!  C’mon!

Bradley:  And Jim’s energy was so high that it made you want to follow, so we went for it.  It started out as acting but then it got heated. Soon there was twelve guys beating the sh*# out of each other and Jim’s flying all over the place.  It was unbelievable. 

Jim:  At one point, I turned around and one girl was punching me in the head.  I also caught an elbow in the eye.

Bradley:  [to Jim] You cracked me in the nose. 

Jim:  I cracked my ribs in another bar scene. 

Zooey:  And you were amazingly good-natured about it.  I came in the next day and Jim would joke, “cracked rib” then laugh and you’d be like ‘Ow! ‘

Jim:  They had to move all the physical stuff to the end of the shoot because I had three fractured ribs. 

Zooey:  But that didn’t slow you down at all.

As Jim Carrey’s love interest, Zooey Deschanel avoided the rumbling and death defying acts but she did bring her own indie musical talents to the music and lyrics for her on screen music band with real act, the Von Iva’s from San Francisco.

Zooey:  I usually write alone so it was fun to write with other people and the Von Iva’s are so funny, talented and smart.  It was a fun process joining their band for a week.

Jim:  She blew us away with that stuff.  We weren’t expecting that. . .

Zooey:  Stop!

Jim:  We were on the set and we were like, “What?   This is fantastic.”  We loved it.

CineMovie:  Given the theme of the movie, would you consider yourselves yes people?

Danny:  I said no to Spiderman. So no!

John:   I say “yes” to everything.  Have you seen my resume?

[laughter from the room]

Jim:   I would say I am a yes man.

Bradley:  I have to admit that after seeing the film, I was suckered into the movie in the sense that it got me thinking “I have to change my life around.”

Zooey:  It’s exhausting to just say “yes” to everything for real even if it’s just for a day.

Bradley:  Have you tried it?

Zooey:  [guilty]  No!

CineMovie:  What’s the dumbest thing you’ve regretted saying “yes” to in the past?

Jim:  [in a low voice] The Majestic.

[room gasps]

Jim:   Sorry!

Danny:  Getting the Brazilian wax.  That hurt. 

Jim:   Looks good though.

Danny:  It’s really tight in there.

Jim:   And great  from what I’ve seen.

Zooey:  I accidentally entered a youth pageant when I was fourteen.  It’s a beauty pageant but without the beauty.  It was terrible.

Danny:   How did it happen accidentally?

Zooey:   I thought it was a talent show.  My choir teacher lead me on. 

Bradley:  I studied abroad and misread the form thinking 500 pounds was a lot of money to spend for six months there.  I was wrong and broke for the last three months.  I ate rice and oil for the remaining time.  I gained a lot of weight.

Jim:   I was eleven years old and joined the Sea Cadets which is like a military version of the Boy Scouts.  They shave your head and humiliate you but you know what, if I hadn’t done that I wouldn’t know that I’m a useless maggot.    So I’m glad.  Saying “yes” always leads to something good.

And it’s that positive thinking that will have moviegoers returning to see Jim Carrey get back to his comedic roots in Yes Man opening December 19. 

Watch Jim Carrey’s inspirational speech in Spanish.

Wes Craven Transfers Power

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Category: Interviews

Published: Sunday, 08 March 2009 10:25

Written by Lupe Haas

Wes Craven hands off his classic horror film "Last House on the Left" to foreign-born Dennis Iliad, a director new to Hollywood.  Wes Craven and Dennis Iliad sit down with CineMovie to discuss their approach to remaking the thriller and Wes' hands off approach to producing the film. 

Watch users review this film

On DVD August 11th - check out features

Ex-Roomies Adam Sandler and Judd Apatow Reunite

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Category: Interviews

Published: Monday, 27 July 2009 14:35

Written by Lupe Haas

Judd Apatow and Adam Sandler started out as stand up comics and roommates.  While funny man Adam Sandler's fame rose on Saturday Night Live which led to a successful movie career, Judd Apatow gave up on becoming a comedian and opted to become a writer on the Larry Sander's Show with Gary Shandling. 

Apatow struggled through some false starts until his writer-directorial film debut The 40 Year-Old Virgin became a break out hit and Knocked Up propelled him to the top along with his successful producing efforts (Pineapple Express, Superbad).   Now he's on the same A-List pool with his long-time friend Adam and they've teamed up for Apatow's third directorial effort in Funny People.  CineMovie sat down with the original funny people. 

Q:  With Judd knowing you so well, did he know how to motivate you?

Adam: Judd knows a lot about me and it did help.  He knows stories and used them to bring me to different places.  

Q:  Was the relationship between Seth's character and his roommates in the movie based on your experience living together?

Judd:  Some of the texture of how the people communicate is.  Some of it's based on how we were as roommates, how we were with other roommates.  Like Seth's relationships, when you are first starting out, everyone's friends but you're mad when they start moving ahead of you.  So there's that subtle competition.  'How come they're getting better spots at the Improv.  How did he get that cheapy commercial?'

When I lived with Adam, I remember he got a commercial with Visa. . .

Adam:  . . . Mastercard

Judd:  . . .Mastercard and it was a big and very expensive commercial where Adam is shopping.  It's funny.  I can't say I didn't think, 'how come I can't be the Mastercard guy.  I can be the Visa card guy or the Discover Card guy.'

Adam:   And you stole an audition away from me with Jim Henson.

Judd:  That's right.  We all auditioned for Jim Henson who was doing a reality show where you drive around the country with your old video cameras...

Adam:  Around this time you said you didn't even want to be on camera anymore.  He was starting to say, 'maybe I'll be a writer' or something like that.  I didn't even know what he was talking about.   I was like 'What's a writer?'   But then we auditioned for Jim Henson and I was so cocky.   'I can't wait for that callback.'  And then Judd said they were interested in him and got a callback. 

Judd: But then ultimately I didn't get it.   Jim Henson said I lacked warmth. 

The competition wasn't just among friends.  Judd also recalled when they were roommates, Adam didn't like to hear about other stand-up comics.

Adam:  Now if I see someone (comic) else kill, I don't get jealous but twenty-years ago when I saw someone else I was like 'I gotta figure something out.'

Judd:  When we lived together, I would always try to show Adam other comedians I liked because I was such a fan. Because I wasn't such a good comic, I could be a fan.  And I said to Adam, 'hey, come see this guy Norm MacDonald.'  And he would just go, 'who cares.  Why would I want to see another comic?  I'm working on my act.'

Q:  How do you find doing stand-up now versus then? 

Adam:  Doing stand up when your 42 years old is a lot more pressure then when I was in my 20's.  I had a goal to become a movie star.  I was pretty crazy.  I don't know why.   I would go on stage - if I did great, 'Alright we're getting closer to what I need.'  When I did bad, I thought - 'people just don't understand how great I am.'   At 42, when you go on stage and say a joke and no one laughs - this is very humiliating.  I was too dumb when I was young to even notice what was good or bad.

For the movie, Apatow had Sandler do stand-up using a lot of profanity but the guilt set in as a married father of two girls.

Adam:  I hadn't talked that filthy in front of people.  I've been around a long time.  People recognize me.  I go on stage, these nice people who know me as a certain type of person and then I'm on stage as filthy as can be.  Some people are into it.  Some people are, 'no, don't ruin it for us.'  Then I would drive home.  I have my two little kids sleeping and I felt like the biggest dirtiest human being.  I was mad at Apatow.  Why am I doing this movie? 

Judd:  The idea behind the way the stand-up would work, is that this man is ill and the way to avoid dealing with it is that he goes on stage and tells the dirtiest filthiest jokes.  So I pushed Adam much harder into the dirty area.  I like to make movies that have a hopeful message.  That shows some potential for redemption.  And in this movie, the point of it is that it's really hard for this guy, harder than most people, and you root for him to pull it off.  And I want you to care about him trying.

The role of George Simmons in Funny People is Adam Sandler's darkest role to date and he admits it was not enjoyable at times.

Adam:  Certain scenes were heavy.  Judd went through this stuff with his mom and me with my dad.  We saw first hand what goes on with poeple who are incredibly sick so I wasn't excited about that but it had to be done. 

Q:  Would you tackle another role like this?

Adam:  It was a lot of work this movie.  And when I finished it, I loved Apatow and we hugged.  And I was very relieved to take a break.  I don't know how these actors go movie to movie and lose their minds in their roles and have a real life.  I was happy to jump back into my real life with my kids and wife and work on that part.  When it comes down that road some day, if Judd thinks its right and someone else thinks it's right - I'll get back in it.  At night I'm not thinking I have to get there again.  I'm happy I got this one. 
 
On a lighter note, Sandler's next film Grown Ups brings together his comedian friends for more classic Sandler.   However, it's in Funny People that Adam Sandler the actor does some growing up and you can catch him along with a cast of Funny People (Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Eric Bana, and Apatow's real life wife Leslie Mann) starting July 31st. 

Rob Zombie On Halloween Movies: "I Don't Care For Them"

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Category: Interviews

Published: Thursday, 27 August 2009 11:10

Written by Lupe Haas

Musician and director Rob Zombie brings killer Michael Myers back to life on the big screen once again in HALLOWEEN II August 28th but it may surprise you to know the helmer has not watched any of previous films in the franchise except for the original.

CineMovie sat down in a one-on-one interview with the writer/director to discuss his new vision for the latest installment of the horror franchise and why he’s not a fan of the Halloween franchise.                 Watch Halloween II trailer

Q:  This is the 10th movie in the Halloween franchise....

Zombie: Is it really? 

Q:  Yes. 

Zombie:  Oh, god!  If I had known that.....

Q:  So how do you keep it fresh?

Zombie:  Well that's the trick.  I always say to myself, 'what has this character not done a million times?'  So for me, the biggest way to keep it fresh was the approach to it - the way the movie looks, the way the characters act, and making people see it a different way. 

You still have Michael Myers, a faceless killer that doesn't talk.  He's a tough character because you don't see his face hardly and he doesn't really talk so what the f%&#  you going to do with him after a while.  So it's the stuff that surrounds him that has to create the experience and make it different.  That's what I tried to do.

Q:  What do you think about Halloween's release date in August instead of October?

Zombie:  It is what it is.  Everyone's like 'why is it coming out in August and not Halloween' but I don't know.   It's not up to me. 

Q:  So you didn't have any input in that area?

Zombie:  No.  The executives deal with it.  The schedule was so crowded with films that they looked at the August 28th which looked light at the time.  I know Final Destination movie is coming out the same day.  You can move it to the next week, then something else will come up.  You can't win.  You just have to go for it.

Q:  And what's on the music front?

Zombie:  I have a new album that I finished before I did Halloween II.  So as soon as Halloween comes out, we start touring in October for the new record. 

Zombie plans to also take on another two films as a writer/director with The Haunted World of El Superbeasto based on his own comic book and Tyrannosaurus Rex set for 2011. 

For now, Halloween comes early this year starting August 28th in HALLOWEEN II.