Rss

  • linkedin

Archives for : Family

SCRAMBLED Interview w/ Filmmaker Leah McKendrick

“A thirty-something eternal bridesmaid goes on an empowering, and often hilarious, journey of self-discovery.” I had the opportunity to chat with Leah McKendrick, the director/writer/star of the new comedy, “Scrambled”.

This is an early favorite film, and it was such an honor to have an emotional and fun conversation with her about a film that meant so much to me. We discussed things she wanted to highlight about her personal egg freezing journey, the importance of being a supportive friend, and much more!

Be sure to watch “Scrambled” in theaters February 2, 2024.

Share

Movie Review: “Which Brings Me to You”

Sometimes you can get lucky at a wedding and sometimes you can get lucky in love. For Jane (Lucy Hale) and Will (Nat Wolff), the jury is still out. The two have an immediate spark at a friend’s wedding and almost hook up in a coat closet. Instead of jumping straight to bed with each other, they decide to pump the brakes and open up about their past relationships. Recipe for disaster? Once everything is revealed, it’s certainly doesn’t come without its challenges for the potentially new couple.

“Which Brings Me to You” starts out in a cliche boy meets girl manner. And though, the film never really goes anywhere that original, Lucy Hale and Nat Wolff’s chemistry revives a tired formula.

Hale and Wolff’s onscreen presence pulls you in. It’s clear they both have something dark in their past and you’re intrigued as to why they are both still single. The two bring an authentic portrayal to their characters. Neither one is over the top unrealistic. Will is not some extra, douche bag player type, whose changing his ways for the good girl. And Jane isn’t really the “good girl”. Both are flawed in understandable ways, but they have been trying to change their ways even before they met. They are not trying to become better people for each other, they are becoming better people for themselves. This is a much-needed narrative in the romance genre.

Notice I said “romance” genre and not “romantic comedy”. That’s because this is not a comedy. It lacks humor and it’s not advertised as a comedy. But I could see how one may expect laughs given the premise and trailer clips. “Which Brings Me to You” is more of a thoughtful conversation and character study of two people who are still healing from their past scars.

The film’s biggest weak spot is failing to flesh out their protagonists and their former lovers. Certain flashbacks of their previous romances are rushed, and their exes end up feeling more like props than humans. This creates too many unanswered questions, and ultimately, that holds back the film’s full potential.

“Which Brings Me to You” won’t stand out among other romances, but it tells a sweet enough story that’s enhanced through the effortless performances by Lucy Hale and Nat Wolff.

Rating: B-

“Which Brings Me to You” opens in theaters January 19, 2024.

Share

ROLE PLAY Interview w/ Kaley Cuoco & David Oyelowo

“Emma (Kaley Cuoco) has a wonderful husband and two kids in the suburbs of New Jersey. She also has a secret life as an assassin for hire, a secret that her husband Dave (David Oyelowo) discovers when the couple decide to spice up their marriage with a little role play.”

I got a chance to speak with the amazingly talented and super fun Kaley Cuoco and David Oyelowo about their new action comedy, “Role Play”. Before the interview started Kaley gave me the best compliment and from there it was just lots of laughs. But there’s even more hilarity in their new movie.

Be sure to watch “Role Play” when it’s available to stream on Prime Video January 12.

Share

MAESTRO Interview w/ Bradley Cooper & Carey Mulligan

“This love story chronicles the lifelong relationship of conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein and actress Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein.”

It was a real treat to have a quick chat with Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan! Cooper poured his heart and soul into this movie directing, co-writing, and starring in the incredibly moving film. And Mulligan is truly a tour de force as she gives her best performance yet since “Promising Young Woman”.

Watch this one with no distractions and the volume turned up as you allow yourself to be immersed in the music and beautiful story.

“Maestro” is currently streaming on Netflix.

Share

THE PERSIAN VERSION Interview w/ Director & Writer Maryam Keshavarz

A still from The Persian Version by Maryam Keshavars, an official selection of the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute

“When a large Iranian-American family gathers, a family secret is uncovered that catapults the estranged mother and daughter into an exploration of the past, and to discover they are more alike than they know.”

It was such an honor to speak with Director/Writer Maryam Keshavarz about her hilarious and moving film, “The Persian Version”. This one was really special to me given the background and Persian ties. But the film goes places you wouldn’t except while maintaining the heart and humor of the story throughout.

“The Persian Version” is currently available On Demand

Share

Movie Review: “Wonka”

This week I review the prequel that is based on the extraordinary character at the center of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, “Wonka” tells the colorful story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today. Find out if the film was a tasty treat or spoiled candy.

“Wonka” opens in theaters on December 15, 2023.

Share

SPY KIDS: ARMAGEDDON Interview w/ Robert Rodriguez

In the newest SPY KIDS movie, “the children of the world’s greatest secret agents unwittingly help a powerful game developer unleash a computer virus that gives him control of all technology, leading them to become spies themselves to save their parents and the world.”

I got a chance to speak with the legendary director, Robert Rodriguez to talk about the film, making it with his son, family, and so much more! Watch the full interview and the movie when it streams on Netflix on September 22, 2023.

Share

NEVER HAVE I EVER Final Season Interview w/ Cast

“Never Have I Ever” is a coming-of-age comedy about the complicated life of a modern-day first-generation Indian American teenage girl. The series stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi, an overachieving high school student who has a short fuse that gets her into difficult situations. “Never Have I Ever” is created by executive producers, Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, with Fisher serving as the showrunner.

I got a chance to sit down with the stars of the show Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Jaren Lewison, Darren Barnet, Poorna Jagannathan, Richa Moorjani, Lee Rodriguez & Ramona Young to discuss the 4th and final season. Watch the full interview and the final season when it premieres on Netflix on June 8th!

Share

ANNA NICOLE SMITH: YOU DON’T KNOW ME Interview w/ Ursula Macfarlane & Alexandra Lacey

“From director Ursula Macfarlane (Untouchable) and producer Alexandra Lacey comes an unflinching and humanizing examination of the life, death and secrets of Vickie Lynn Hogan – better known as model and actress Anna Nicole Smith. From her first appearance in Playboy in 1992, Anna Nicole’s dizzying ascent was the very essence of the American dream, brought to a tragic halt with her untimely passing in 2007. With access to never-before-seen footage, home movies, and interviews with key figures who have not spoken out until now, ANNA NICOLE SMITH: YOU DON’T KNOW ME reveals new insights into the story of the quintessential blonde bombshell hardly anyone really knew.”

I got a chance to speak with director Ursula Macfarlane and producer Alexandra Lacey about the documentary, Anna’s most shocking details, and much more!

“Anna Nicole Smith You Don’t Know Me” is currently streaming on Netflix.

Share

MAFIA MAMMA Interview w/ Toni Collette, Sophia Nomvete, Monica Bellucci, & Catherine Hardwicke

This week I have a fun interview for the new crime comedy, “Mafia Mamma”. Toni Collette stars as a suburban mom who becomes head of the family business left to her by her recently deceased grandfather. The good news? The business is in the beautiful city of Rome, Italy. The bad news? It’s the Mafia. I sat down with the stars, Toni Collette, Sophia Nomvete, Monica Bellucci, and director Catherine Hardwicke.

“Mafia Mamma” is currently playing in theaters.

Share