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Interview: “Divergent” Stars Miles Teller & Jai Courtney talk Heart Throb Status and More!

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : March 18, 2014
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It’s the most anticipated film of the year.  Divergent, starring Shailene Woodley (The Spectacular Now) and Theo James (Underworld: Awakening) is sure to have as much success as The Hunger Games and Twilight trilogies.

The first installment of the saga is set in a futuristic Chicago where people are divided into five distinct factions based on their personalities.  Tris (Woodley) discovers that she is Divergent, meaning she does not fit into any of the factions; and soon discovers that in order to stay alive she must hide in a faction.  The only problem is she chooses the most physically challenging one, Dauntless meaning “the brave.”  As she struggles and fights through most of the film to prove herself to her new faction, she encounters many obstacles.  This includes the hard-headed, tough leader Eric (Jai Courtney) and a non-stop competitive bully, Peter (Miles Teller).   While training for Dauntless, Tris uncovers a horrifying plot forming in her seemingly perfect society.

The film held a special premiere in Dallas a couple weeks back.  The “bad boys” themselves, Miles Teller and Jai Courtney, walked the red carpet and took pictures with many extremely enthusiastic Divergent fans.  The next morning I got a chance to sit down with the two stars at Dallas’ Ritz Carlton Hotel to discuss the movie, the fans, and their fears.  Now don’t be fooled by the characters they play.  Their kindness and dry sense of humor made for one hilarious interview.

I have to give you guys props for last night on the red carpet.  You handled your fans really well.  I mean right when you (pointing to Miles) walked in, I saw you take a picture with a girl and she just grabbed your face and kissed you on the cheek.

Miles: “Yeah, yeah…”

Jai: “He’s use to that though; that happens all the time.”

Miles: “Yeah that’s, uh, you know, that’s a part of the business when you’re a heart throb (Jai laughs)… No.  This one girl was like can I touch your hair?  And I was like, yeah, sure.  And she was like “oh God!” (Pulls hair and shakes head aggressively)  Alright, so now I know if somebody asks “can I touch your hair?”  I’m going to say “no.”  So, like, you learn as you go.  It’s hard in the moment though.  It’s like; you (points to Jai) kissed a girl last night.  You kissed a girl on the cheek, you told me.”

Jai: “I was kissing girls all over the place.  It’s a free country.”

Miles: “Yeah, it’s a free country (laughs).”

                                                                                                                                           

Clearly your fans are very bold.  What’s the boldest thing so far on this tour that a fan has done to you guys?

Miles: “Well this is our first stop on the tour…”

Jai: “Yeah that was it.  You saw all of it.  But it’s only going to get bolder from here.”

Miles: “…but teenage girls, they can be aggressive.  I see One Direction videos, they’re…I mean no I don’t, (whispers) love them, Harry Style’s is my fav.” (Jai laughs)

                                                                                                                                           

Well you two play some not so nice characters in this movie. But I’d say the biggest “jerk moment” from both of y’all is probably when Eric had Peter beat up Tris.

Jai: “Woah!”

Miles: “Well that’s a little; I mean it’s not really revealed like that.”

Jai: “I mean, it’s part of the training.  I didn’t have Peter beat up Tris.”

Miles: “Yeah.”

I mean you basically set it up.

 

Miles: “Oh my God, obviously she’s on Tris’ side were not going to win this argument.”

Jai: “You’ve misinterpreted things grossly.”

Miles: “I mean we’re just trying to survive Dauntless; is all we’re trying to do.”

Jai: “It’s a training exercise.  She’s going to face tougher guys than Peter out there in the real world.”

Miles: “Yeah, I mean not tougher, but (Miles takes at a tough man sniff) taller.”

Jai: “Yeah, taller.”

                                                                                                                                     

So obviously that scene wasn’t hard for you guys to shoot at all then?

Jai: Morally?  No (Shakes head).

Miles: “Well I mean Shai, at first; they did it with Shailene’s stunt double.  And they said look three guys grab her.  And they told the stunt double to; you know, kick and do all that.  And she beat the crap out of these three dudes.  So I was nervous to get in there.  But then they said, yo, choke Shailene out.  And I was, like, get in here.  Come to daddy.  So, you know, just a little bit of that.”

                                                                                                                                         

The funny thing is that there are some fans that want Peter and Tris together, even though he’s so horrible to her.

Miles: “I know right?”

And I think that stems from a girl wanting a bad boy still.  Why do you guys think girls want the bad guy, even when they’re so horrible to them?

Miles: “I mean we’re more exciting.  You know, like, nice is very cliché.  You want a nice guy to go to the donut shop.  If you want a bad boy, you better be able to role with the punches.  (Jai laughs) We’re sexy.  We look good in leather.

Jai: “Right?” (Looks to me)

Miles: “You tell me.  What are you into?  Do you like a bad boy?”

I think I like a… well there is an excitement to them, but I prefer a gentleman, and you can be a bad boy as long as you’re a gentleman.

Jai: “You can be a bad boy and a gentleman.”

Miles: “Right, well I think that girls think that they can make a bad guy change.  I think for girls that’s the challenge.  But most of the time, they don’t change.  But I’d love for Peter and Tris to hook up.”

I think I’d like to see that.

Jai: “Yeah I’d watch that.”

Miles: “Yeah, right?”

                                                                                                                                           

We get to see a lot of the characters greatest fears in this movie, and like Four said, “Everybody is afraid of something.”  So what is something that you guys are afraid of?

Jai: “I’m not much into arachnidan.”

Miles: “What is, is that a spider?

Jai: “Yeah, Not into spiders.”

Miles: “Spiders or snakes, what would freak you out more?  Cause there’s two different movies about them?”

Jai: “See snakes don’t freak me out.  I don’t want to get bitten by one, but like I would hold one.”

Miles: “You would hold one?  You’re cool with that?  What about sharks, great white sharks?”

Jai: “Grew up wrestling them dude.”

You (To Jai) are a bad boy.

Jai: “You know it.” (Miles laughs)

Miles: I don’t like cats, I’m not afraid of them…

Jai: “Cats suck!  I’m with you on that.”

Miles: “…I’m allergic to them.  I feel like a cat is, like, plotting to kill me.”

Jai: “We’re going to lose fans here.”

Miles: “Were going to lose our cat audience here.  That’s fine; we got our dog audience…Oh, losing my youth!  I’m afraid, I mean, I’m not afraid of getting old.”

Jai: “You’re getting old man.”

Miles: “Dude, you’re like 32 years-old man.”

Jai: “We’re the same age brother.”

Miles: “No we’re not!”

Jai: “Yes, we are (Laughs).”

Miles: “There’s no way this (Points to himself) is the same age, man.  Look at you.”

Jai: “He can’t come to grips with that.”

(To set the record straight, both Miles and Jai are 27 years-old.)

 

Divergent hits theaters March 21.

Originally posted on RedCarpetCrash.com

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Interview: Aaron Paul & Scott Waugh talk “Need for Speed”

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : March 14, 2014
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Aaron Paul, widely known for his two time Emmy winning role as Jesse Pinkman on the hit series Breaking Bad,  skips the the meth and focuses on revenge in the new action blockbuster, Need for Speed.

Need for Speed is a fun thrill ride that is enjoyable for all audiences.  The script does lack depth and may not be the most original premise, but Paul’s always incredible acting and the amazingly shot sequences will have you so captivated you may not even notice.

I got a chance to sit down with Aaron Paul and the director of the film, Scott Waugh (Act of Valor) to discuss the movie, horrible past jobs, cars, and more!

Click Here for Aaron Paul & Scott Waugh Interview

aaron and scott

Need for Speed hits theaters today!

Interview: The Cast of ‘Dallas’ Celebrates a New Season & J.R. Ewing’s Name Lives On

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : February 25, 2014
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Highland Park Village Theater held an exclusive red carpet premiere event last week.  Many cast members of the popular TNT Drama, Dallas, came out in honor of the show’s return, and to launch Southfork Bottling Company’s newest product, the J.R. Ewing Bourbon.   The anticipated drink is expected to hit liquor stores around the metroplex in March.  “It really brings you back to what J.R. was all about.  The highest quality, the class, and the charisma that J.R. brought to the table, and I think that’s embodied in the bourbon itself and in the packaging, and presentation,” says Andy Harmon (Co-founder of Southfork Bottling Company).

As the red carpet continued, stars of the hit series took photos, and signed autographs for the fans, but not before quickly speaking with us about the new season and all the drama that’s to come!

At the end of last season you (Christopher) and Elena kind of didn’t really leave off on good terms.  How is your relationship going to be this season?

Jesse Metcalfe: Tumultuous.  I mean when we first find Christopher he’s grown a beard and he is chopping wood out on the plains of Southfork.  So he’s not in the best of places.  But much like his father did in the original series, when he’s going through some inner turmoil he kind of gets back to the land and does some work in the ranch to sort of clear his mind and, um, things don’t get any better from there.”

I love your (Pamela) relationship with John Ross on the show, which is why I am so frustrated that (cut off)

Julie Gonzalo: That he’s a cheater! (Laughs)

Yes! But it’s clear that he’s in love with Pamela, though. Why does he cheat?

Julie: I know! It’s really, well, I mean look if he didn’t then we wouldn’t have this awesome dynamic and intense show.  So I think there has to be a conflict.  Um, but yes your right.  I think that they do truly kind of love each other so hopefully, uh, they’ll, we’ll see what happens but were only in season 3 so I hope they don’t really make amends that soon.” (Laughs)

Emma Bell who play’s John Ross’ mistress walked the red carpet with fellow cast members Marlene Forte, who plays Carmen Ramos, and the newest trouble maker of the show, Juan Pablo Di Pace who plays Nicolas Trevino.

What is it that you are so drawn to John Ross, because I thought you had a great connection with Drew.

Emma: “Well you know that’s a great thing, we were actually just talking about that (laughs), um, I think John Ross is kind of the epitome of that bad boy you can’t tame and every girl wants to tame that guy, and also he’s full of power and that’s incredibly intoxicating, especially to a girl like Emma because she doesn’t know, she can’t differentiate between power and love.”

Marlene: “She’s definitely a trouble maker.” (Laughs)

Emma: “I’m not, I’m just misunderstood.”

Marlene: “And my son loves her, but she’s going to lead him the wrong way and then there’s this one.” (points to Juan)

Tell me about your character (Nicolas).

Juan: “Well it’s a new one, it’s a new one in the mix and he’s a little bit of trouble, even though he does have a very charming front.  I sort of come in and help my childhood friend Elena and things just get complicated, very complicated, very soon.  So, um, it’s a great character, it’s written like a dream with the wonderful team we have…”

Emma: “And he plays it masterfully.”

Juan: “AW, I’ll pay you later.” (Laughs)

And how is Carmen handling all this drama?

Marlene: “Oh…she’s handling it, she’s going to be thrusting through the middle of it.”

Emma: “We call her crocodile tears on set.”

Juan: “Oh, Carmen this year is amazing stuff.”

Marlene: “There’s a lot of weeping going on.” (Laughs)

What’s in store for Sue Ellen this season?

Linda Grey: “It is so exciting! I think this is one of the most exciting seasons for Sue Ellen.  It starts off kind of quiet (laughs).  That’s the last you’ll see of that (laughs).  So, it’s just every character is interesting and they’re deeper, and they’re badder, and they’re more fun.  It’s just so much fun to see.  So the first show is just kind of introducing the new people, it’s quiet, very controlled. Then it turns to chaos!  We love chaos!” (Laughs)

New episodes of Dallas are currently airing on TNT every Monday night at 8pm central.

Originally posted on RedCarpetCrash.com

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Interview: ‘Labor Day’-Gattlin Griffith And Joyce Maynard Discuss Josh Brolin’s Pie Making Skills

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : January 31, 2014
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“When life gives you peaches, make peach pie!”  I guess that’s not exactly the way the saying goes.  But in Jason Reitman’s latest film, one “crucial” pie making scene proves to be a turning point for a broken family that gets a second chance to become whole.

The film is an adaptation of author Joyce Maynard’s critically acclaimed novel.  

Star Gattlin Griffith (Changeling, The Green Lantern) and Joyce Maynard both visited Dallas to talk about the film, the movies that make them cry, and of course, pie.

What was your initial reaction when you got this role?

Gattlin: “I was out of this world!  I was stunned you know?  I couldn’t really get my head wrapped around it.  You always want a role like this, but like once you have it, you’re like: Can I do this role?  I mean you start to think: I don’t know if I’m ready.  But you know, I prepared a lot.  I read over the script a lot.  I don’t really do a whole lot of acting lessons.  But I read over it, and I did my homework.”

Now Joyce, I heard that you taught Jason how to make a pie?

Joyce: “First Jason called me up.  He read my book, and he said the words that I love to hear.  “Your book made me cry.”  Um, then he said, “Can I come over to your house, and see how you make a pie.”  Which if people haven’t seen the movie, they may not understand why.  But it’s a crucial scene in the movie that Josh Brolin’s character, the convict hiding out in Kate Winslet’s house, makes a pie for and with them.  And Jason realized that this was a really important scene, and came over to my house and made a little Iphone movie of my pie.  And then on the first day of the shoot, actually before Gattlin showed up, they flew me to this little town in Massachusetts to teach Josh how to make the pie.  Because I didn’t want it to look like one of those perfect pies that you see on the cover of a magazine, they had, in fact, brought in consultant who was wearing the perfect white jacket.  And that’s not me at all.  I’m a very messy pie maker, and my pies are messy.  My pies look like a pie made by a convict on the run.  But they taste really good, which is sort of what the story is about.  It’s people piecing together, you know, this imperfect thing that ends up turning out good.  You don’t expect it.  If you just looked at my pie, you would say what on earth is this?!  And then you taste it!”

Did you teach him (pointing to Gattlin) how to make a pie at all?

Gattlin: “I kind of just, I guess I winged it.”

Joyce: “And I wouldn’t have wanted to teach him, because, you know, he was learning in the scene. So if he had already been a good pie maker, that would have been a problem.  The person who needed, in fact, Kate didn’t even want to pay too much attention to the lesson.  The person who needed to have command of that pie was Josh, and so I took the tough job of teaching him, and as I understand, I wasn’t around but you (pointing to Gattlin) were…”

Gattlin: “Yeah, he uh, all he talked about was pie making (laughs).  He was like, ‘yeah after my two hour workout I’ll go home and make a couple pies.’ (laughs)  He’d bring them to set everyday.”

Joyce: “Supposedly, by the end he couldn’t give them away, although he makes a really good pie.”

Gattlin: “No, everybody at first was like, ‘Oh my God Mr. Brolin made me a pie!’  By the end of it, everybody was like kind of swaying away (laughs) in the mornings from him bringing pies.”

My favorite line in the film is, “Nothing misleads people like the truth.” I love that line.  Why do you guys think that statement’s so true?

Gattlin: “Well I mean, I don’t know what you went for. (looking at Joyce)  I kind of took it as, there’s so many dishonest people in the world.  I guess that when somebody is telling the truth, it’s so rare.”

Joyce: ”There’s a great scene at the end of this movie, and I’m not going to give away what happens.  But when Gattlin and Kate are there trying to make their getaway, and they go to the bank.  And it’s a question of whether this is going to work or not?  And we’re rooting for them!  We’re rooting for these people to be together and make a family.  And the bank manager is looking really suspicious, and he says, you know, ‘I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s going on?’ And then Gattlin’s character, Henry…” (she points to Gattlin to finish)

Gattlin: “Mmhmm, I mean, can I say it?”

Joyce: “Yes, please!”

Gattlin: “Ok, um, I actually had a really hard time with this line.  It was something about stacking up all our money, and we’re going to make a break for the border, you know, like Bonnie and Clyde .”

Joyce: “Which is exactly what they were going to do.” (laughs)

Gattlin: “And it’s quiet for a second, and then it’s like, did he just give away the secret? And then the bank manager’s like laughing, ok, yeah sure.”

I remember that scene. That’s why I was like, thinking, “God, it’s so true.”

Joyce: “The other great line that I love in this movie, and it is the Valentines day line is, ‘I’d take another 20 years, for 3 more days with you.’  And that’s what we want to hear from the person that loves us.”

It’s one of those films that when you come out of the theater, you’re in a romantic mood and you just want to love love.

Joyce: “Luckily, Valentines day is coming!” (laughs)

For you guys, what other films give you that feeling?

Joyce: “Um, The Way We Were is one that always gets to me, and it has some of that feeling.  And I didn’t sit down and say, I want to make a movie with Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin.  I said, I want to give people a love story that will make them cry and make them feel.”

Gattlin: “You know there’s this old movie called Fluke.  And it’s actually about a dog, and he has all these friendships.  And he loves all these people, but everybody that he loves goes away at some point.  It’s an old movie.  And I don’t know if anybody’s heard of it, but it’s called Fluke.  It was sad cause he’d make a friend, she’d be lost; he’d make another friend she’d be lost.  And I remember that movie use to make me cry all the time as a kid.”

Rated PG-13 for thematic material, brief violence and sexuality.

Labor Day hits theaters today.

Joyce Maynard and Gattlin Griffith Video Interview

gattlin and joyce

Originally posted on RedCarpetCrash.com

Interview/Review: Gabby Douglas Talks Lifetime’s “The Gabby Douglas Story”

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : January 30, 2014
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She became the house-hold name that everyone could not stop talking about during the summer of 2012.  Olympian Gabrielle Douglas was the first African American ever to be named Individual All-Around Champion in artistic gymnastics at the Olympic Games.   Lifetime is bringing Gabby’s story to life with the television première of “The Gabby Douglas Story.”

When the odds were against them, Gabby and her family still didn’t give up until she was able to her reach her dream.  Regina King plays the struggling single mother of four who goes through extreme obstacles to keep her daughter’s dreams alive.  As she fights through illness and financial problems, her other three children have no reservations when it comes to sacrificing what they need to in order to pay for Gabby’s gymnastics classes.  Her family knows she has a gift.  Their belief in her, combined with her incredible drive and passion, leads to one emotional journey of determination and success in this inspiring true story.  Imani Hakim and Sydney Mikayla share the role of playing the two-time Olympic Gold Medalist.

In honor of her anticipated biopic, Gabby Douglas spoke with us to discuss the upcoming film that will premiere this Saturday night on Lifetime.

Thank you for taking time to speak with me today.  I enjoyed the movie and it was really inspiring.   I especially liked the quote your mom would always tell you and your siblings, “Today should always be better than yesterday.”  How do you continue to live by that quote today?

“I live by that quote because I feel like, you know, it’s motivation that keeps me going. You have to find something that motivates you and drives you.   You want to do the thing that you love.  The Olympics is driving me to the gym and busts my butt every single day, just by giving 100%.”

It was so amazing watching the unbelievable support that your family gave you in order for you to pursue your dreams.  How has life changed for you and your family since winning the gold medals?

“Wow.  Life has changed so much for us and we’re just so blessed and so honored.  I’m really honored that they could be apart of this journey, too.  And life is just different.  It changed so fast.  Everyone and the world was like who is Gabby Douglas?  And then I won the Olympics and it was like an overnight celebrity thing.  I never thought it would happen so fast.”

Did your family ever give you an “I told you so” after your wins? Because I feel like they believed in you so much, even when you wanted to quit. 

“Yes. (Laughs) Well not I told you so exactly, but they believed in me when I didn’t believe in me.  But yes at the end, they were kind of like see, we told you!  It was great, just having people around you that believe in you when you don’t, and they inspired me to believe in myself.”

And finally, I thought one of the greatest parts in the film was watching the workout montage while the song, “Hall of Fame” by The Script is playing in the background.  If you could choose any song to be the soundtrack of your life, what song would it be?

“Mmm, I think I’d pick…um “Hall of Fame” is a good one, and I think I’d pick “Girl on Fire.”

“The Gabby Douglas Story” will air on Saturday, February 1st at 8pm ET /PT on Lifetime.

Originally posted on RedCarpetCrash.com

Interview: Vanessa Hudgens talks “Gimme Shelter”

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : January 24, 2014
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A couple weeks ago I got to sit down with Vanessa Hudgens, director Ronald Krauss, and Kathy Difiore to discuss their new film, “Gimme Shelter.”  The piece aired on ICTN’s entertainment show,  About Towne. 

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Movie Review/Interview: “Romeo Misses A Payment” Hits An Important Issue

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : December 14, 2013
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When it comes to child support, the courts and movies usually villainize parents as someone who wants nothing to do with their child’s life. Romeo Misses a Payment shows an eye-opening discovery of how unjustly the family courts are in handling divorces, and how the monthly check is far from an easy way out.

Director, Angelo Lobo, is a twice divorced single father who is struggling with his own finances and issues dealing with the family law court system.  Upon his own experience, he has decided to take a deeper look into how other parents just like him have been unfairly treated through the American divorce system.  Lobo travels to multiple cities, including Dallas, for in-depth interviews explaining how distressing of a situation it is for the children, parents, and extended families involved.  The film also features the expert testimonies of attorneys, judges, and law officers who are caught up in the business of divorce.

This is a simple documentary.   Shot with one camera, Lobo pretty much interviews whoever he could get that would best impact his message.  He does throw in some old black and white movie clips for transition as they relate to the topics at hand.  Though the documentary may not be filmed in the highest quality (weak lighting, low budget), it makes the film more personable.  This is a documentary with an objective.  Lobo cares about his subject, and the people he is interviewing.  He is hoping that after people watch his movie, there is an affect, and steps are taken for the system to finally be rightly handled.

This may not have been an issue that most people would think needs concern, but as shown in the documentary, parental suicides have gone up five times for fit parents that are removed from their children.  Arrests have been made to parents who simply can not afford to pay their child support.  They are treated like criminals, and there is nothing they can do about it.  “If you have money, the courts listen to you; if you don’t have money, the family system really sucks.”

Romeo Misses a Payment is shocking and emotional.  The upsetting revelations that surface throughout the film will leave audiences truly appalled, and quite possibly ready to take action for a much needed change in the system.

I also got a chance to have an e-mail interview with Angelo Lobo to talk about the movie.

Were there any specific interviews in this film that was particularly hard for you to shoot? If so whose and why?

Yes, mostly all made a difference in the direction of the film. The interview that stood out the most to me was of Kenneth from New York. Here was a man who invented MRI equipment to save lives and help people. In his interview you could feel his pain and standing there it was almost like he was not present because he was recalling everything that was being done to him. After the interview he went into the restroom so I waited outside to say goodbye and thank him, and I could see the tears in his eyes- an knew then as I walked out that I had to keep this film alive.

After the interview he went into the restroom so I waited outside to say goodbye- thank you for what seemed to be 30 minutes then I went into the rest room and he was just standing there- all alone in tears with blood shot eyes- I just turned around and as I walked out I knew I had to keep this film alive.

It was frustrating to see you not able to film in the family court houses in the beginning of the film, how did you finally get the footage in court?

After trying unsuccessfully, we finally got a lead and we begged the Dallas George Allen Court because they had the most cases of support incarcerations. Once we got the permits and started interviewing, everyone was kind, cooperative until we started asking questions regarding money, their collections, and the federal tax incentives they were getting. We were then asked to call the attorney general to explain what we really filming and we were quickly escorted out of the property. I was told that day off the record “the court has obtained more than 100,000 families and exceeds that each year”. Another turning point for the film because some of the parents were telling the judges right in front of us they did not want to bring the other parent to court and the court would persuade them to do it. Very bizarre.

How was your experience filming in Dallas in comparison to other cities you visited?

I believe all the cities run in parallel because the system seems broken all around except for states that have 50/50 shared custody bills and mandatory paternity tests are in place. Dallas – at the time of filming, the parents that were incarcerated and begging for release had no proper legal representation they seemed to be belittled and forced to agree to terms that seemed unrealistic for their release. Dallas – At the time of filming the parents that were incarcerated and begging for release had no proper legal representation they seemed to be belittle and forced to agree to terms that seemed unrealistic for their release.

Anything you enjoyed about our city?

I like Dallas a lot, been there few times and have good friends there. Overall it is a great city.

What steps do you think need to be taken to improve the divorce system?

I hope and pray that once the film is released parents,judges, and the overall system itself can see from the stories that deny basic human rights to our children will hurt the children and “battling” will not solve anything.

What did you enjoy most about making this documentary?

I really enjoyed meeting so many great people that were working towards positive changes not only in the court systems, but also to strength they way we think about marriage and teaching our children how important that is.

What do you hope all of your audiences will do after watching this documentary?

I would hope that if they or others that are going through those issues see the hope in unity and feel that they are not alone. They can go to our website for resources and get involved. We hope that this can help and hopefully things will get better for them and their families.

Join Angelo for a Q&A at the Magic Johnson Theater AMC on December 14th. And at the Regent Theater in LA on December 16th.

Originally posted on RedCarpetCrash.com

Interview: Steve Coogan talks “Philomena”

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : November 21, 2013
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Category: Interviews, Movie Reviews

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It is the film every journalist should see!

After losing his job as a Labour government adviser, Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) meets Philomena Lee (Judi Dench).  A woman who recently admitted that 50 years ago she was forced to give up her son in Ireland, because she was not married during her pregnancy.  She has thought of her son every day since she had to give him up, and desperately wants to track him down to just know if he is okay.  Initially not interested in doing a human interest piece, Martin decides he needs the work and takes on the story.

In what happens to be a more comedic team during a tragic situation, Philomena and Martin travel to Washington, DC.  They soon uncover a shocking truth that will have you walking out of the theater with anger and satisfaction.

To no surprise, the performances in the film are exceptional.  Though this is about a serious topic, the real surprise is how you will catch yourself laughing more than crying due to the incredible screenplay written by Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope.  Taking a story that you might normally dread to hear, and turning it into a light-hearted drama with an endearing message.

Based on true events, Philomena is a captivating story about seeking answers, while respecting feelings and truly accepting forgiveness.

Steve Coogan took time to sit down and talk about his new film.

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It’s interesting to see the transition of how Martin goes from unsympathetic to more caring of Philomena’s situation.  In your opinion, do you need to lack a certain amount of sympathy to get the answers you want for a story?

“Well, obviously there’s a line isn’t there?  If you just considered not wanting to offend anyone at anytime or upset anyone at anytime, you probably wouldn’t get to the truth. So there’s a case of sometimes having a little, chutzpah in trying to pursue things.  I think you can’t make hard or fast rules, but I think that there are ethics involved.  And it’s a judgment call about what those ethics are.  And I think there are some very tenacious journalists who are in the pursuit of the greater truth and are motivated by that.  Then there are journalists who are just bottom line willing to shift people and are looking to just pay their mortgage.  And that’s understandable, but it doesn’t necessarily make it noble.  So, as I said I think it’s a judgment call.  Martin has struggles with that in the film.  Really, it’s partly about cynicism and how he is cynical and Philomena is not cynical despite what all has happened to her.”

One of my favorite lines Philomena says was, “You should be nice to the people on your way up.  You might meet them on your way down. 

“(Laughs) That line is what my mum said to me once. So I put that in the movie.  But I like the simplicity of the language.  She wasn’t over eloquent; we kept her simple and straight forward.”

That line just stuck with me.  Have you come across with anyone that maybe wasn’t nice to you before your success?

“I have to be very careful (Laughs) because sometimes I think I’m going to see that guy one day.  Especially sometimes there are those people that don’t give me roles that I wanted and thought I could have done.  And I’m like “well they’ll be sorry now” (Laughs).  If you start thinking like that it’s like what Philomena said to Martin at the end of the film.  “I don’t want to go through life hating people.”

Yes, that was another great line!

“Yeah!  And because you know, as we all know, sometimes you get eaten up by that stuff and in trying to seek revenge, the person you destroy more than anyone is yourself.  But it’s ok to recognize it, as long as you recognize the limitation of your feelings and how they are not always right, I think that’s good.  You just need to think out loud about it.”

 Philomena hits theaters November 27th.

Philomena Trailer HD

Originally posted on RedCarpetCrash.com

Interviews: George Takei & Jimmy Hayward Talk Free Birds On The Red Carpet In Dallas

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : October 30, 2013
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Category: Interviews, Movie Reviews, Special Events

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What if the turkey was never part of our Thanksgiving Day meal?

In the new animated comedy, Free Birds, two heroic turkeys must go back in time and stop turkey from ever being on the Thanksgiving menu.

Reel FX Animation Studios in Dallas has completed their first full length animated film.  For their first film, they could not have done any better.  This is one film the whole family should see!  The movie provides a hilarious script, an original storyline, and a superb production quality.

Feeling like he does not fit in with his own flock, Reggie (Owen Wilson) gets an opportunity to become a “lone turkey.”  After a forceful encounter with Jake (Woody Harrelson), Reggie must join in the mission to travel back in time and get the turkey off of the holiday menu for good.  Once S.T.E.V.E (George Takei) the time machine takes them to three days before the first Thanksgiving, Reggie meets Jenny (Amy Poehler) and the rest of her flock.  As he gets to know his new friends and grows feelings for Jenny, Reggie starts to realize he may have found the flock he always wanted to be apart of.

A slew of talent, including everyone from Reel FX showed up for the Dallas premiere of Free Birds held at the Cinemark 17 and IMAX Theater.  Among those talents were writer/director, Jimmy Hayward (Horton Hears a Who) and Star Trek legend, George Takei.  Both of these incredibly nice guys took time to chat on the red carpet.

Great job in the film, you have such a defined voice, great for any film or voice over.  What attracted you to this project?

George: “Well first of all, I like the idea.  I think we’re too stayed and traditional; the same old menu year after year. I used to look forward to Thanksgiving, because you know we didn’t have turkey the rest of the year.  The only time we had turkey was at Thanksgiving.  But now, we can have turkey all the time.  And with this movie, I think were going to get people to be creative with their Thanksgiving menu.  We might have fish, or this is Texas, roast beef?  Nice and red and bloody, I like it rare, you know?  So it will set them to thinking.  We know what the movie recommends, and that’s a great idea too.”

So this is the perfect film to get you in the mood for the holidays?

Jimmy: “Oh yeah, absolutely!  The film’s not about what you eat.  The film is more about how you’re a part of something bigger than yourself.  All holidays, doesn’t matter if it is Passover or Thanksgiving or whatever holiday it is.  It’s about pressing pause in your life, and taking time to appreciate the people you love.”

The film talks about how “when you’re in a flock you know you belong.”  Being apart of a flock in this film industry, when did you know you belonged?

George: “When they started casting me (Laughs).  You know, when you’re beginning in this business you’re aspiring.  You go to interview after interview and you talk to them. Then they will say you’re too tall or too short; too fat or too skinny.  And it’s always too this or too that.  I’ve even been told that I’m either too Asian or not Asian enough!  I mean how do I get Asian enough? (Laughs)  Both my parents are Asian you know?  So were my grandparents, and yet they say, you’re not Asian enough (Laughs).  So at that point, you feel like you just want them to cast you so you can show them how good you are once you’re on the set.  But now, when they come to you and say, will you be in our film or do the voice in our film, it’s wonderful and I feel like I very much belong now.”

Jimmy: “I think once I actually got to work with a bunch of people in a group.  Filmmaking is really a collaborative effort.  So you are naturally apart of a flock as soon as you get on a film…provided there a good flock (Laughs).”

You play S.T.E.V.E the time machine in the film.  What would you change if you could go back in time?

“I would probably try to not have the Civil War.  All wars!  I would try to have a world where we don’t have to have wars.  And try to change the world into a happier, productive, well engaged place where we have no destruction.  Unfortunately, today we still have wars and you see the news and the horrors that happen.  So I think that’s the best way to change the world.”

Free Birds is the perfect Thanksgiving film to set the mood for this holiday season!

 Free Birds Official Trailer HD

Originally posted on RedCarpetCrash.com

Interview: Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : July 19, 2013
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Category: Interviews, Movie Reviews

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Film Synopsis: Filmed at a sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden, comedian Kevin Hart delivers material from his 2012 “Let Me Explain” concert tour.

Kevin Hart visited Dallas,TX to promote his new film,  Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain.  The comedian even made surprise appearances at local theaters for audiences who were about to watch the movie.

I had hoped the concert tour movie would have included more behind the scenes footage of Kevin’s life.  But there is no doubt that Kevin Hart’s stand up in the film will have your ribs hurting from all the laughter.  And after always seeing him in a comedic light, it was nice having a down to earth conversation with him about relationships, his kids, and following your dreams.

Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain Interview

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Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain is currently playing in theaters.