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Category: Interviews
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Created: Thursday, 04 June 2009 14:55
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Published: Thursday, 04 June 2009 14:53
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Written by Lupe Haas
John Krasinski (TV's The Office, Leatherheads) and Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live) star as Bert and Verona in AWAY WE GO, directed by Sam Mendes (Revolutionary Road, American Beauty. In AWAY WE GO, the hippie go lucky couple travel to find a new home to give birth to their first child.
CineMovie's Viviana Vigil sat down with the charismatic actors to discuss their new film. Watch as Viviana makes John Krasinski blush on the topic of lactacting nurses.
Sam Mendes Interview
Movie Synopsis:
Exploring the comedic twists and emotional turns in one couple’s journey across contemporary America, Away We Go is the new movie from Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes, from the first original screenplay by novelists Dave Eggers & Vendela Vida, and featuring music by singer/songwriter Alexi Murdoch.
Longtime (and now thirtysomething) couple Burt (John Krasinski) and Verona (Maya Rudolph) are going to have a baby. The pregnancy progresses smoothly, but six months in, the pair is put off and put out by the cavalierly delivered news from Burt’s parents Jerry and Gloria (Jeff Daniels and Catherine O’Hara) that the eccentric elder Farlanders are moving out of Colorado – thereby eliminating the expectant couple’s main reason for living there.
So, where, and among whom of those closest to them, might Burt and Verona best put down roots to raise their impending bundle of joy? The couple embarks on an ambitious itinerary to visit friends and family, and to evaluate cities. The first stop on the grand tour is Phoenix, where the duo spends a day at the (dog) races with Verona’s irrepressible (and frequently inappropriate) former colleague Lily (Allison Janney) and her repressible family, including husband Lowell (Jim Gaffigan); then it’s Tucson, and a visit to the lovely Grace (Carmen Ejogo), Verona’s sister.
An intimate conversation with her sister, who is her lone living relative, gives Verona a refreshed perspective – which she will sorely need in Wisconsin, where Burt’s childhood “cousin” Ellen, now known as LN (Maggie Gyllenhaal), and her partner Roderick (Josh Hamilton) have Burt and Verona over to their home. After LN and Roderick elaborate on their intractable ideas for raising children and running a household, Burt and Verona bolt for Montreal and a warmer welcome from their former college classmates Tom (Chris Messina) and Munch (Melanie Lynskey).
Even though the latter’s house is full of children, comfort and joy, a night out for the four old friends provides a bracing reminder of how much it takes to sustain a relationship and a family. When an emergency phone call forces Burt and Verona into an unanticipated Miami detour to visit Burt’s brother Courtney (Paul Schneider), they realize that they must define home on their own terms.
A Focus Features presentation in association with Big Beach of an Edward Saxon/Big Beach production in association with Neal Street Productions. A Sam Mendes Film. Away We Go. John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Jeff Daniels, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Allison Janney, Chris Messina, Catherine O’Hara, Paul Schneider. Casting by Ellen Lewis and Debra Zane, C.S.A. Music by Alexi Murdoch. Music Supervisor, Randall Poster. Costume Designer, John Dunn. Film Editor, Sarah Flack, A.C.E. Production Designer, Jess Gonchor. Director of Photography, Ellen Kuras, ASC. Executive Producers, Mari Jo Winkler-Iofredda, Pippa Harris. Produced by Edward Saxon, Marc Turtletaub, Peter Saraf. Written by Dave Eggers & Vendela Vida. Directed by Sam Mendes. A Focus Features Release.
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Category: Interviews
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Created: Wednesday, 03 June 2009 08:51
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Published: Wednesday, 03 June 2009 08:51
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Written by Lupe Haas
Will Ferrell Rules This Land
Will Ferrell, his "Land of the Lost" co-stars Danny Boyle, Anna Friel, and director Brad Silberling recently sat down with CineMovie to discuss their big screen adaptation of the popular 70’s tv show which has transformed into a Will Ferrell comedy.
This modern take on "Land of the Lost" is not the family adventure everyone remembers. The family is replaced with adults, sexual tension, and references sure to go over kids heads. Watch Trailer
CM: As a fan of the original show Will, why make those changes?
Will: We didn’t want my character saddled with two kids. We thought it would be a better platform for comedy to have a love interest and a funny man like Danny Boyle. We didn’t want it to be a Disney film in a way. The humor had to be cool and pushing that PG-13 rating. This is the first family I’ve done in a while but the jokes are original and sophisticated which you’re not going to find in a movie in the same vain.
CM: Were any of original actors approached for a cameo in this film?
Will: The kids from the original tv show did have a cameo at the end of the movie but they were cut out. I’m not sure why.
CM: Will we be seeing it on the DVD?
Will: Yes.
CM: Chaka, the half man, half ape character has evolved from naïve child-like character to a bit of a pervert as seen in the funny scene with Chaka grabbing 
Holly’s chest played by Anna Friel. Was that in the script all along or was it taken further through improvisation on set? Watch hilarious Land Of The Lost movie clip
Will: That was always in the script. Chaka quickly figured out that the way to communicate with women is to grab their breasts. He’s kind of sly and a little bit, touchy feely. We just that would be a funny place for Chaka to go. Jorma (Taccone) did such a great job and he added stuff like touching me all over the place when we first meet Chaka and he steals my wallet. It was really funny to play off of.
WILL: Originally the script called for a panel with Al Gore, Stephen Hawkins and Rick Marshall. Hawkins goes after me to debunk my theories and I lunge at him. It was funny on paper and then you start making the phone calls and they’re like ‘No, no we’re unavailable.’ So then it became the "Today Show" and they were really up for it. Matt was totally game and that became plan B which worked beautifully so much so that we went back to reshoot a scene for the end of the movie.
CM: Will Ferrell and Brad Siberling tell us Matt Lauer did his own improvising during that last scene when Ferrell’s Rick Marshall returns to promote my book “Matt Lauer Can Suck It.”
Will: Matt said “lets do one more take’ and then he just tackled me which was great. And I’m trying not to laugh because I’m so surprised that he tackling me. That was brilliant.
Brad: Matt tricked me into a second take and then he improvised the tackle. It was hilarious.
CM: Perhaps Matt Lauer was channeling what he would have liked to have done to Tom Cruise once upon a time.
Sid and Marty Krofft, owned the children’s airways with their numerous tv shows (H.R. Pufnstuf, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, The Bugaloos, Dr. Shrinker, Donny and Marie Show) during the 1970’s.
CM: What do the creators of the classic tv show think about converting Land of the Lost to an irreverent Will Ferrell comedy?
Marty: We would not have done it without Will Ferrell.
The original Land of the Lost was a lot more serious than Will Ferrell’s take.
Marty: We’re okay with that.
Sid: Our shows were always on the cutting edge.
CM: Do you think there will be a sequel to Land of the Lost?
Marty: I hope so but we have to see after it opens June 5th.
The Kroffts have a lot riding on this movie - another of their classic tv shows H.R. Pufnstuf is headed to the big screen. Fans of the show and Will Ferrell fans are sure to make this tv adaptation a success at the box office this weekend setting the stage for more 70's shows coming to the movies.
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Category: Interviews
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Created: Wednesday, 27 May 2009 01:37
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Published: Wednesday, 27 May 2009 01:33
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Written by Lupe Haas
Director Sam Mendes (Revolutionary Road, American Beauty, Road to Perdition) explores the comedic twists and emotional turns in one couple's journey across contemporary American in his new film, AWAY WE GO opening June 5th.
CineMovie and our Viviana Vigil is with the critically-acclaimed filmmaker in our one-to-one interview. Kate Winslet's husband talks going green with this movie, the all-star cast (John Krasinsnki, Maya Rudolph, Jeff Daniels, Maggie Gyllenhall, Aliison Janney, Catherine O'Hara) and finding the right actors to play the lovable couple.
John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph Interview
Movie Synopsis:
Exploring the comedic twists and emotional turns in one couple’s journey across contemporary America, Away We Go is the new movie from Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes, from the first original screenplay by novelists Dave Eggers & Vendela Vida, and featuring music by singer/songwriter Alexi Murdoch.
Longtime (and now thirtysomething) couple Burt (John Krasinski) and Verona (Maya Rudolph) are going to have a baby. The pregnancy progresses smoothly, but six months in, the pair is put off and put out by the cavalierly delivered news from Burt’s parents Jerry and Gloria (Jeff Daniels and Catherine O’Hara) that the eccentric elder Farlanders are moving out of Colorado – thereby eliminating the expectant couple’s main reason for living there.
So, where, and among whom of those closest to them, might Burt and Verona best put down roots to raise their impending bundle of joy? The couple embarks on an ambitious itinerary to visit friends and family, and to evaluate cities. The first stop on the grand tour is Phoenix, where the duo spends a day at the (dog) races with Verona’s irrepressible (and frequently inappropriate) former colleague Lily (Allison Janney) and her repressible family, including husband Lowell (Jim Gaffigan); then it’s Tucson, and a visit to the lovely Grace (Carmen Ejogo), Verona’s sister.
An intimate conversation with her sister, who is her lone living relative, gives Verona a refreshed perspective – which she will sorely need in Wisconsin, where Burt’s childhood “cousin” Ellen, now known as LN (Maggie Gyllenhaal), and her partner Roderick (Josh Hamilton) have Burt and Verona over to their home. After LN and Roderick elaborate on their intractable ideas for raising children and running a household, Burt and Verona bolt for Montreal and a warmer welcome from their former college classmates Tom (Chris Messina) and Munch (Melanie Lynskey).
Even though the latter’s house is full of children, comfort and joy, a night out for the four old friends provides a bracing reminder of how much it takes to sustain a relationship and a family. When an emergency phone call forces Burt and Verona into an unanticipated Miami detour to visit Burt’s brother Courtney (Paul Schneider), they realize that they must define home on their own terms.
A Focus Features presentation in association with Big Beach of an Edward Saxon/Big Beach production in association with Neal Street Productions. A Sam Mendes Film. Away We Go. John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Jeff Daniels, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Allison Janney, Chris Messina, Catherine O’Hara, Paul Schneider. Casting by Ellen Lewis and Debra Zane, C.S.A. Music by Alexi Murdoch. Music Supervisor, Randall Poster. Costume Designer, John Dunn. Film Editor, Sarah Flack, A.C.E. Production Designer, Jess Gonchor. Director of Photography, Ellen Kuras, ASC. Executive Producers, Mari Jo Winkler-Iofredda, Pippa Harris. Produced by Edward Saxon, Marc Turtletaub, Peter Saraf. Written by Dave Eggers & Vendela Vida. Directed by Sam Mendes. A Focus Features Release.
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Category: Interviews
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Created: Friday, 08 May 2009 00:50
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Published: Friday, 08 May 2009 00:33
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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.
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Category: Interviews
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Created: Tuesday, 05 May 2009 14:14
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Published: Tuesday, 05 May 2009 14:02
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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.
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Category: Interviews
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Created: Tuesday, 31 March 2009 12:15
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Published: Tuesday, 31 March 2009 12:03
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Written by Lupe Haas
Actors often immerse themselves into character through Method Acting. Directors plunge into their roles just the same to research their subjects. Student Academy Award winner Cary Joji Fukunaga subscribed to Method Directing for his feature debut, SIN NOMBRE.
Winner of the Directing Award and the Excellence in Cinematography Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, SIN NOMBRE is the filmmaker’s firsthand experiences with Central American immigrants seeking the promise of the U.S. The Spanish-language movie takes place largely on top of cargo trains which transport the immigrants from Honduras to the border towns of Mexico. SIN NOMBRE trailer
As the director and writer of the project, Cary Joji Fukunaga on his own rode alongside strangers on top of these dangerous trains to learn about the people who risks their lives in order to make it to the promise land.
The courageous up and coming director sat down with CineMovie's Viviana Vigil* to discuss his risky decision, in the name of filmmaking.
SIN NOMBRE is in selected theaters nationwide.
Interview with SIN NOMBRE producers Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna
*Catch Viviana Vigil as the host of NBC's "1st Look" and "Open House."
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Category: Interviews
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Created: Sunday, 08 March 2009 10:26
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Published: Sunday, 08 March 2009 10:25
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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
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Category: Interviews
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Created: Tuesday, 16 December 2008 17:38
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Published: Tuesday, 16 December 2008 17:32
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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.
