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Movie Review/Interview: “If I Stay”- An Adolescent Romantic Tear-Jerker

It’s no surprise that big studio production companies are quickly grabbing hold of the rights to as many young adult novels as they can.  The fan base is already there.  Give them a “best-seller” and a good looking lead, and you may just have the next Twilight or The Fault in Our Stars.

Tweens are thirsting for romance that they can live vicariously through, and Chloe Grace Moretz’s latest drama will quench every young girl’s desire.

If I Stay is an adaptation of Gayle Forman’s 2009 best-seller.  The film centers on Mia Hall (Moretz), a straight-lace, gifted cellist who lives in Oregon with her ultra-hip parents, Kat (Mireille Enos) and Denny (Joshua Leonard), and her little brother, Teddy (Jakob Davies).  One day while Mia is practicing in school, Adam (Jamie Blackley), an up-and-coming rock star, passes by and it’s love at first listen.  Be warned now, if you’re in theater with any teenage girls, Adam will cause swooning and sighing.  The two go through a jagged relationship, proving that classical and rock doesn’t make for a smooth mix.

Priorities shift for Mia when she is invited to audition for Julliard but, her music and Adam become the least of her worries after a horrific car accident has caused her to fall into a coma. Anxious to know the fate of the rest of her family, Mia has an out of body experience. Her spirit roams the hospital halls and she eavesdrops on her loved ones as they try to cope and pray for her to make it through surgery.  As her future begins to be uncertain, Mia is faced with a choice.  She must decide if the life she’s waking up to is one worth living.

Call me a cheesy romantic, but I enjoyed this film.  I am fully aware the one liners, “I see you,” and “why me?” will have plenty of people rolling their eyes.  But there are certain qualities in a teenybopper romance that can always salvage the movie.  The key element is your lead.  Chloe Grace Moretz is a thriving young talent, and since I first saw her in 500 Days of Summer, she has only flourished in her career.  Whether it’s a success like Kick-Ass or a flop like Carrie, Moretz masterfully performs in all of her projects.

Of course, what’s love without believability?  Moretz and Blackley’s chemistry is hardly that of comparison to Hazel and Gus (The Fault in Our Stars), but it translates well here.  Mia and Adam’s relationship isn’t forced, we get to watch them grow as a couple and care for their story, a missing quality from many recent love stories.

There is more to If I Stay than just the romance.  The film also touches on how some people in your life don’t necessarily need to be blood related to be your family.  If I Stay may pull at your heartstrings and shed some tears, but think of this film as more of a “doesn’t-hurt-to-see” versus a “must-see.”

Rating: 3/5

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Movie Review” Lifetime’s “Expecting Amish” is a Ridiculously Lame Love Story

Expecting Amish is a drama about four Amish teenagers living in rural Pennsylvania.  When they are allowed to go to Los Angeles to experience RUMSPRINGA or rite of passage, Mary (Alyson Stoner), Isaac (Cameron Boyd) and Sara (Aurelia Scheppers) are excited to make the trip but Hannah (AJ Michalka) is reluctant to leave her father (Brian Krause), siblings and her “fiancée”, Samuel (Jean-Luc Bilodeau).

Once they get to Los Angeles, everyone but Hannah immediately enjoy their new freedom.  Encouraged to spread her wings and go to a college party, Hannah meets Josh (Jesse McCartney) in the most cliché rom-com way and the two become inseparable.  When Hannah begins having feelings for Josh, her friends become concerned. Eventually, the time comes for the four to return to their Amish lives and be baptized by their elder (Ron Ely).  But Hannah struggles between choosing to live the life she’s expected to, or the one she wants.  Things get even more complicated when she discovers a shocking secret that will change her life forever.

Maybe it’s because after the last Lifetime drama I was spoiled into thinking they would continue to push the boundaries on their “risqué” films.  But Expecting Amish has to be one of the safest and unexciting movies I’ve seen from Lifetime in a while.  Considering its premise, I was hoping for a lot more fights, sex, partying, etc-you know the basics of a rebellious teen Lifetime drama.  Though there is sex, there is no passion.  Hannah and Josh come off as friends forcing sexual chemistry that is just not there.

Putting the undesirable romance aside, even the subplots are weak.  So many characters are set up for some stimulating storylines, but instead of seeing them through, they are blown over and their wrong doings are never addressed again.

Expecting Amish might as well be a blip in this Saturday night’s TV line up.  There’s nothing to see here people, change the channel.

Rating: 1.5/5

Expecting Amish premieres on Lifetime Saturday July 19 at 8pm ET/7c.

Quick Reviews: “Boyhood” & “Wish I Was Here”

“Wish I Was Here”

Rated R

Starring: Zach Braff, Kate Huson, Joey King, and Josh Gad

Directed by: Zach Braff

Written by: Zach Braff and Adam J. Braff

Rating: 3/5

Aidan Bloom (Braff) is a 35-year-old man who finds himself at major crossroads, which forces him to examine his life, his career, and his family.

10 years after his critically acclaimed, Garden State, Zach Braff returns with a similar heartfelt, thought provoking film.  One that is heightened by it’s unique soundtrack.  Though the premise has been done, I never mind a film that encourages audiences to find their true happiness in life. Added Bonus-mini Scrubs reunion!

 

“Boyhood”

Rated R

Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, and Lorelei Linklater

Directed/Written by: Richard Linklater

Rating: 5/5

Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater’s BOYHOOD is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason (a breakthrough performance by Ellar Coltrane), who literally grows up on screen before our eyes. 

Linklater has made cinematic history with this true coming-of-age story.  Set to an amazing soundtrack spanning the years from Coldplay’s Yellow to Arcade Fire’s Deep Blue. As of now, easily the best direction in a film this year.  As you watch Mason (Coltrane) and his family through the years, you can’t help but think about your own life journey.

“Wish I was Here” and “Boyhood” open in select theaters on July 18.

Movie Review: “Outlaw Prophet: Warren Jeffs” Might be the Most Disturbing Lifetime Film Yet

Parents I seriously advise you to make sure the kiddos are in bed before watching this one.

Get ready to see Tony Goldwyn (Scandal) like you’ve never seen him before.  Goldwyn stars as Warren Jeffs, the infamous Polygamist cult leader who spent more than a year on the FBI’s “10 Most Wanted List” for his unlawful flight on charges related to his arrangement of illegal marriages involving underage girls.

After his father (Martin Landau) passes away leaving behind 56 wives, Warren (Goldwyn) takes on his leadership role as the prophet for Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Basically, the community follows “God’s Law” and believes that women must be obedient wives.  The prophet is the only one who can speak to God and relays the message to the citizens.   A man can have numerous wives and the women have no say in the matter, because apparently God chooses who they are given away to.  If this doesn’t sound gross enough, Jeffs was arranging marriages to girls as young as 12 years-old!

The film itself is grotesque and continuously uncomfortable. Lifetime allows the audience to see some in-depth sex scenes that I wish I hadn’t.  The words spoken to these young girls by Jeffs while having intercourse will haunt me for years to come.  However, the story of Warren Jeffs was conveyed so well that it is worth the watch.

Besides a few small characters, all the leads did a fantastic job in the film.  Goldwyn morphs into his sickening character and Joey King (Fargo) continues her streak as a star on the rise.  This girl is incredible in any role she plays.

I can handle most Lifetime dramas, but Outlaw Prophet: Warren Jeffs was tough to sit through.

Rating: 3/5

Premiering Saturday, June 28, at 8pm ET/PT.  Immediately following the movie’s world premiere, Lifetime will air the hour-long documentary Beyond the Headlines: Warren Jeffs, at 10pm ET/PT.

TV Review: “True Blood” Season 7 Premiere Begins with a Shocking Death

It’s the beginning of the end as our beloved HBO vampire series draws to a close.

When we last left off, the people of Bon Temps had agreed to the “one vampire to every human” plan, put in motion by the new mayor, Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell).  The plan provides protection for the humans from the H-Vamps (infected vampires), and in return a steady meal for the vampires.  Citizens gathered at the human-vampire mixer held outside of the Bellefleur’s, and just when it seemed like a trust was made between the two species, a group of rogue H-Vamps crashed the party.

Directed by series star Stephen Moyer, the season 7 premiere picks up right in the middle of a chaotic blood bath.  A slew of humans and vampires are brutally murdered within the first two minutes of the episode.  And be prepared for an unexpected death that sets the tone for the final season.  As we saw last year, our beloved Terry Bellefleur (Todd Lowe) was the first main character who passed.  After the season opener, we’re reminded that anything can happen and anyone can die.

The season starts off with a battle between the Bon Temps and H-Vamps.  New friends and relationships have been made.  Sookie (Anna Paquin) is now with Alcide (Joe Manganiello), a safe choice for the girl that every vampire wants, but it doesn’t look like all of her feelings for Bill (Moyer) have quite faded away.  Jason (Ryan Kwanten) belongs to Violet (Karolina Wydra), a domineering vampire who saved him from being feed on by hundreds of blood thirsty female vamps.  Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) is in a surprisingly healthy relationship with new hottie vampire, James (Nathan Parsons).  If you’re wondering why something seems different about Jess’ brooding beau she met while being captured last season, it’s because he is a totally different actor.  Due to his recent casting in the anticipated 50 Shades of Grey film, Luke Grimes has been “subtly” replaced by Nathan Parsons.

The search for Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) continues.  Did he get burned to a crisp, or is he just hiding out?  All we know is Pamela (Kristin Bauer Van Straten) won’t quit until she knows what happened to her maker.

It is set up to be an exciting final season, and an unpredictable one at that.  Let’s just hope the series finale serves a pleasurable bite that leaves us with a satisfying after taste for the months following.

True Blood returns on June 22.

Movie Review: “Trust Me” Starts Strong but Ends in a Sloppy Mess

Clark Gregg swaps superheroes for child stars in his latest dark comedy, Trust Me, in which he wrote, directed, and stars.

What begins as a Hollywood version of Jerry McGuire becomes a depressing and grim look of how far the people involved in this business will go to get what they want.

We begin by seeing, once child star and now Hollywood agent, Howard (Gregg) getting fired by his only notable client for blowing a potentially huge deal.  Sometime during this botched negotiation, he luckily stumbles into Lydia’s (Saxon Sharbino) dramatic audition which turns out to be a positive for the young actress.  When she is offered the starring role for the next vampire teen trilogy, she immediately claims Howard as her agent. Lydia views Howard as the “nice” alternative to dirt bag agents who care only about money and could careless for the best interest of their clients.  Much like Howard’s nemesis, Aldo (Sam Rockwell), a skeezy, douche of an agent who has managed to steal many of Howard’s talents.

Lydia and Howard have a great father-daughter bond and work well together, their only problem is Ray (Paul Sparks), Lydia’s greedy, alcoholic father who tends to cause a scene everywhere he goes.  And just when things seem to looking up for Howard’s career and love life, he witnesses what he thinks might be a sexually abusive encounter between Ray and Lydia.  Now he must decide if wants to continue his path of success with his inevitable profiting starlet or let the “good guy” within him follow his conscience.

From the start you are hooked.  All the aspects of Howard’s life are thoroughly engaging.  He pines over his beautiful neighbor (Amanda Peet), and the two share a surprisingly charming relationship.  He also has great chemistry with Lydia that you feel could lead to a Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding Jr. moment.  “Show me the MONEY!!!”

Needless to say Gregg gives a captivating performance along with his supporting cast.  Saxon Sharbino, who I had never heard of until this movie, shines as the tween actress who is so talented that it’s hard to tell if she’s being herself or playing a part.

In about the last 30 minutes of the film, everything starts to get muggy fast.  What seemed like powerful character development and a path of redemption quickly turns into an unsatisfying and truly unnecessary conclusion.
Trust Me has all the pieces for a fantastic, uplifting and/or solid flick; but maybe in an attempt to stay truly original, it past the mark a little too far.

Trust Me is in theaters June 6 and is  currently available OnDemand and iTunes.

Rating: 3/5

“Trust Me” Official Trailer HD

Originally posted on RedCarpetCrash.com

Movie Review: “Secret Sex Life of a Single Mom” Becomes Uncomfortable very Quickly

Oh Lifetime, you never cease to amaze me.  Just when I think I’ve got your repetitive stories figured out, you go and throw in an unexpected domination and submission twist that I didn’t see coming.

That’s right people; Secret Sex Life of a Single Mom is a more tamed, mature, TV approved version of 50 Shades of Grey (minus the bondage).

After Delaine (Ashley Jones) discovers her jerk of a husband, Robert (Scott Gibson), has been cheating on her she immediately blames herself, as does her husband.  After all, if she tried harder and got implants this would have never happened!  Feeling as though she owes it to her two children to make the marriage work, she stays with Robert.  But then she meets Graham (Jeff Roop), an attractive acupuncturist that she can’t help but feel physically drawn too.  As they begin their own affair, Delaine gets the strength to finally divorce Robert.  Unfortunately after ending things with her husband, things with Graham quickly fall apart as well.  Hello online dating!  Among her many emails from the site, she stumbles upon a striking message from “The Duke” (Alex Carter).  He promises to turn Delaine into an alpha female that will never to be walked all over by a man again. His strategy: He, A MAN, will dominate her and tell her exactly what to do on dates and in her personal life; while she, A FEMALE, must be his submissive and obey his every word…um; okay…I guess that works for some girls.  Delaine is just delighted by this idea and agrees to his terms.

Given that this is a Lifetime film, we are usually introduced to some unbearable acting.  However, given the dialogue the two leads must deliver, I was quite pleased with their conviction.  We’re talking some pretty embarrassing and idiotic lines here.

It takes a while for this film to pick up.  Until we meet “The Duke,” you might be wondering where the story is headed.  Well, I’ll tell you it’s not headed where you’d expect.  Once she speaks with “The Duke” for the first time on the phone, the ball starts rolling.  The content of what we’re watching at this point isn’t necessarily good, it’s just so awkward and intriguing.  You can’t help but be curious to know how far Delaine will go to please her master.

Secret Sex Life of a Single Mom is a decent flick to DVR and watch in your spare time, but don’t expect the intense drama we’re accustomed to in the usual Lifetime movies.

Rating: 2.5/5

Secret Sex Life of a Single Mom premieres Saturday, May 31, at 8pm ET/PT.

Secret Sex Life of a Single Mom Official Trailer

Originally posted on RedCarpetCrash.com

Movie Review: “Petals on the Wind” is Sexier and more Deceitful than the First Installment

Petals on the Wind Official TrailerIf you thought the Dollanger clan was messed up in Flowers in the Attic, just wait till you see them freed from their “prison” and fully blossomed in the real world. It’s so wrong! Yet these characters make it seem so right! Christopher and Cathy’s relationship continues to internally conflict audiences with their brother/sister romance.

V.C. Andrews’ popular book series continues to come alive through Lifetime’s original films. (For a refresher of the first film’s premise, refer to my previous review of Flowers in the Attic)

Petals on the Wind follows Christopher, Cathy and Carrie after their escape from Foxworth Hall as children. Just a heads up, if you grew fond of the actors who played these characters in the first film, expect to see a new and an older cast as they correlate with the 10 year time jump of this sequel. The siblings were actually quite lucky when they rode the bus to Florida. They were taken in and cared for by Paul Sheffield, a wealthy doctor who leaves his estate and inheritance to the kids after his passing. As the family attempts to put their shameful past behind them, they realize certain secrets can’t stay hidden for long. When Cathy tries to get over the forbidden feelings her and Christopher developed during their captivity as young teens, she forces herself in an abusive relationship with a fellow dancer. This leaves Christopher no choice but to move on with his life, while Carrie deals with her own struggles of getting through high school. But when tragedy strikes the Dollanger’s once again, Cathy returns to Foxworth Hall to confront her grandmother and seek revenge on her mother.

What can I say? This is one twisted story. It’s unbelievable, it’s sick, and shockingly enough, it’s entertaining as hell. Fans of the novel should be pleased to see how well they incorporated most of the book’s story-lines to fit this hour and half TV movie. The film is jam packed with so much drama it will have your head spinning going from one subplot to the next.

The romance isn’t bottled up in one little attic this time around. Cathy, who is now played by a sensual Rose McIver (The Lovely Bones), may be in love with her brother, but she’s able to heat up the television screen with ANY man she’s making love to. Sadly, that temperature is only one-sided when she is embraced with Christopher. Wyatt Nash (Pretty Little Liars) plays the stoic brother who gives a lifeless and disappointing performance. Luckily, if you keep your eyes on Cathy you might not be able to notice, and either way you still root for this disturbing relationship. An emotionally scarred Carrie is impressively performed by Bailey Buntain (Bunheads) and both Ellen Burstyn and Heather Graham reprise their roles as the children’s wicked grandmother and devious mom.

From the way things pan out in this movie, you can expect another film adaptation of the next novel, and most likely the entire book series. If you enjoyed Flowers in the Attic there is no doubt that you will once again relish in the guilty pleasure that is Petals on the Wind.

Rating: 3/5

Petals on the Wind premieres on Lifetime Monday May 26 at 9p ET/PT

“Petals on the Wind” Official Trailer

Originally posted on RedCarpetCrash.com

Disney’s ‘Million Dollar Arm’ Offers A Chance To Win $1 Million!

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A HOT ARM COULD LEAD TO A COOL MILLION! 

DISNEY’S MILLION DOLLAR ARM PITCHING CONTEST OFFERS A CHANCE TO WIN $1 MILLION

Contestants Can Test Their Fastball Skills at

Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif., ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World®Resort in Florida or

the Tribeca Family Festival in New York

Nine Finalists Will Advance to the Final Contest Held at

Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm” World Premiere in Hollywood, California

Burbank, Calif.  (April 11, 2014) –Disney is giving amateur baseball pitchers in the nation a chance to compete for a $1 million prize in the Million Dollar Arm Pitching Contest. The Million Dollar Arm Pitching Contest is being held to celebrate the opening of Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm,” an incredible true story about two young men who went from never throwing a baseball to getting a Major League tryout.

Amateur baseball pitchers—male or female, who are legal United States residents at least 18 years of age or older—are invited to qualify to compete in the preliminary rounds of the Million Dollar Arm Pitching Contest at either Walt Disney World®Resort in Florida, Disneyland® Resort in California or at the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day at the Tribeca Family Festival in New York City. The three contestants from each location who throw the fastest pitches will advance to the finals and have a chance to compete for a $1 million prize at the world premiere of Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm” in Hollywood, California. Official rules are available on Disney.com’s “Million Dollar Arm” homepage at http://disney.com/PitchingContest.

Presented by SUBWAY® restaurants, the three qualifying events will take place on April 25 and 26, from 7 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., at both Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif. and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World® and on April 26 only, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day during the Tribeca Family Festival in New York City. Contestants will throw three pitches, each tracked by a radar gun, in an attempt to throw the fastest pitch. All participants will receive tickets for themselves and a guest to see an advance screening of Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm” at an AMC Theatres location later that evening.

Nine finalists chosen during these qualifying events will have a chance to compete for the $1 million prize at the world premiere of Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm.” The top three eligible pitchers with the fastest pitches from each qualifying round location will be flown with his or her guest to the final contest, which will take place at the world premiere of Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm” in Hollywood, Calif., on May 6.  Each of these finalists will throw three pitches on Hollywood Boulevard. Any eligible finalist who throws one 100 mph strike (out of three pitches) will become a potential winner of the $1 million grand prize.

The nine finalists and their guests will be VIPs at the film’s premiere along with stars, filmmakers, major league players, coaches, scouts and celebrities.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Subject to Official Rules available at event or at http://disney.com/PitchingContest.

ABOUT THE MOVIE

Based on a true story, sports agent JB Bernstein (Jon Hamm) finds that business has changed and things aren’t going well for his career. In a last ditch effort to save his livelihood he concocts a scheme to find baseball’s next great pitching ace. Hoping to find a young cricket pitcher he can turn into a major league baseball star, JB travels to India to produce a reality show competition called “The Million Dollar Arm.” With the help of cantankerous but eagle-eyed retired baseball scout Ray Poitevint (Alan Arkin), he discovers Dinesh (played by Madhur Mittal from “Slumdog Millionaire”) and Rinku (played by Suraj Sharma from “Life of Pi”), two 18-year-old boys who have no idea about playing baseball, yet have a knack for throwing a fastball. Hoping to sign them to major league contracts and make a quick buck, JB brings the boys home to America to train. While the Americans are definitely out of their element in India, the boys, who have never left their rural villages, are equally challenged when they come to the States. As the boys learn the finer points of baseball, JB, with the help of his charming friend Brenda (Lake Bell), learns valuable life lessons about teamwork, commitment and what it means to be a family.

Directed by Craig Gillespie from a screenplay written by Tom McCarthy, Disney’s drama “Million Dollar Arm” stars Jon Hamm, Aasif Mandvi, Bill Paxton, Suraj Sharma, Lake Bell and Alan Arkin. The producers are Mark Ciardi, Gordon Gray and Joe Roth. The executive producers are Palak Patel, Kevin Halloran, Bill Simmons and Connor Schell. The film will be release in the United States on May 16, 2014.

Interview: “Jinn” Star Dominic Rains Discusses New Thriller

In the Beginning, Three were Created…

Man made of Clay.

Angels made of Light.

And a Third…made of Fire.

From the beginning, stories of angels and men have captured our imaginations and have been etched into our history crossing all boundaries of culture, religion, and time. These two races have dominated the landscape of modern mythology for countless centuries, almost washing away the evidence that a third ever existed. This third race, born of smokeless fire, was called the jinn. Similar to humans in many ways, the jinn lived invisibly among us and only under dire or unusual circumstances were our paths ever meant to cross.

As humans became the dominant force on Earth, contact between man and jinn steadily decreased.

Modern man has all but forgotten the jinn.

“Jinn” is the new thriller set to make its theatrical release in Dallas on April 4.  I got a chance to speak with the star of the film, Dominic Rains to discuss the movie, his character, and projects he hopes to work on in the future.

 

How did working on “JINN” compare to any other production you have worked on?

Well first of all it was the first time I was carrying a film the whole way through. It was by far one of the most physically exhausting experiences I’ve had which in turn was emotionally exhausting.  I mean there were days where I was drenched in water in Michigan 30 degree biting weather, and that’s just one part of it. The majority of the shoots were night shoots so my hours were completely off. I also played three characters in the film which made it ever so interesting. But given the material at hand, the most challenging place was trying to find the arc of the character.  Sometimes you’re shooting out of sequence, time is against you, you’re shooting on 35mm film so you’ve got to get it right or you’re just burning film, unlike digital where you can shoot endlessly, and you’ve got to focus all your energy to make sure that you know in the grand scheme of things, you’re giving just enough for the 180mm lens that’s focused on your eyes. One exaggerated expression here or there and it’s a 15 foot difference on the silver screen. AJ, the writer/director, loved to tell me, ‘its all in the eyes!’ haha… But learning to focus and harness that energy was important. And knowing what the scene was about was imperative.

What can you tell us about the character (Shawn) you play in this film?

Shawn is an automotive engineer living a quiet idyllic life with his wife Jasmine when one day it is interrupted by a package delivered by a sketchy dude that contains an encrypted message. It warns him of imminent danger and that this ‘thing’ the Jinn is coming after him. At first Shawn tries to disregard the message but weird things start to happen and after a number of events test his belief, his wife is kidnapped and Shawn is forced to face his fears and is tossed through a gauntlet of emotional, physical and mental tests. He is helped along the way by three men who aid him in what to do to fight and overcome the Jinn, but ultimately he’s the only one that can save himself and his family.

What was your favorite scene to shoot?

I had two favorite scenes in the film; the first was with his parents when he’s trying to piece everything together and the second was at the end of the film where he rises to the occasion. I won’t say anymore than that but that it’s a very cool scene and you’ll know what I’m talking about when you see it. Everything came together, AJ’s direction, our stunt performers, Ray Park, and the incredible genius of our VFX supervisor Joe Coleman. It was a test of many things that evening and it’s a testament to the work of a great team. On a personal level it was a test of the physical and mental for myself.

Why should audiences go out and see this film?  How does it stand out above other mystery thrillers?

Well besides the fact that it’s based on an ancient mythology that over 2 billion people believe in around the world, it’s mentioned or alluded to in the books of the leading three religions, Islam, Christianity and Judaism.  Also, it’s a fun family film for all ages; it’s essentially a hero story of courage and the will to fight to overcome our fears. We see the slow rise of a man who finds it in himself to become the man he never thought existed.

You have worked on a variety of different TV shows and film.  What genre of film do you hope to work on that you haven’t done yet?

I’d really like to go into more heavy dramas, dark comedies and twisted psychological thrillers. It would be a dream to work with filmmakers like Gasper Noe, PT Anderson, The Coen Brothes, Lars Von Trier. Very avant garde, art house, challenging character pieces. I love playing heavy character pieces.  I enjoy the leading men as well but since they tend to be closer to me they’re more a naked vulnerability.  With character heavy roles you get to be vulnerable as well but you get to funnel them through a lot more so you can indulge a bit more, it seems.

Who are some actors that you admire and hope to work with in the future?

There are so many actors I admire.  So many actors of all ages that inspire me and push me to do great work that I don’t have enough space to say them all but in the meantime I’ll express a few. God bless Phillip Seymour Hoffman, he was a titan, he’ll stand as one of my all time greats. I would love the pleasure to work with Ethan Rains, Daniel Day Lewis, Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Robert Duvall, Willem Defoe, Susan Sarandon, Matthew McConaughey, Brad Pitt, JACK NICHOLSON for sure, Anthony Hopkins, Cate Blanchett and the list goes on.

Originally posted on RedCarpetCrash.com