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Jessica Alba Reenters ‘Sin City’ With “To Kill For” Confidence

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller’s pulp classic Sin City came out in 2005, and a more seasoned Jessica Alba brought a different take on vengeful and strong willed dancer Nancy Callahan.

“I was so young and I wasn’t comfortable in my own skin,” said Alba, who in the years since has collaborated with Rodriguez in the Machete films and Spy Kids: All The Time in the World in 4D. “Being on a stage and dancing – it was all kind of terrifying to me . . . I was terrified. I didn’t want to make a misstep and I knew how incredible this world was.”

Experience has a way of strengthening one’s resolve and skill set, and since Sin City Alba’s acting chops are on a different level (if you’re a pulp/film noir fan, check out her performance in the terrific and brutal The Killer Inside Me).

Click on the audio bar below to hear Jessica Alba talk about the sense of confidence she brought to her work in Sin City: A Dame To Kill For.

Co-starring Mickey Rourke, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Powers Booth, Sin City: A Dame To Kill For opens August 22.

Oxygen’s ‘Fix My Choir’ Aims For Life’s Inspired Harmonies

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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Grammy winning singer Michelle Williams and gospel singer/pastor Deitrick Haddon (Preachers of L.A.) spearhead Oxygen’s new series Fix My Choir which, if the title suggests, will bring new harmonies and a reinvigorated attitude to various choirs in need of direction.

“It goes way beyond the music,” says Haddon. “People have learned how to harmonize and sing over their issues in a choir. And there are a lot of issues in a choir. That’s the beautiful thing about it – we’ve been able to confront their demons and become better singers.”

For Michelle Williams, her journey as a singer was obviously shaped by her family and choir, but it also took certain individuals to nurture her passion and drive. Click on the audio bar to hear the Destiny’s Child member and solo artist (Journey to Freedom comes out September 9) talk about how the song “Reach Out And Touch” marked a formative stage in her life. In the clip, Haddon also elaborates how talent shows and performing the Michael Jackson/Paul McCartney track “Say, Say, Say” gave him early confidence as a singer.

Fix My Choir premieres this fall on Oxygen.

Kate Walsh Tries Courtroom Comedy With NBC’s ‘Bad Judge’

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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Kate Walsh is batting a high percentage when it comes to television, as Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, and most recently Fargo have each left their mark on the landscape. With years of TV and film experience, Walsh is stepping up her duties behind the camera as an executive producer on the upcoming NBC series Bad Judge.

The show, which should play to Walsh’s timing rich comedic skills, centers on a Rebecca Wright, a Los Angeles criminal court judge who doesn’t play it safe in regards to her social life. It’s a wild streak which obviously gets her into trouble, but Wright’s intelligence and street smarts usually gets her back on track.

During the interviews for Bad Judge, I asked her about the benefits of producing as well as acting on the show. Check out the video below for her answer.

Bad Judge, created by actress Anne Heche, debuts October 2 on NBC (9 pm et/pt).

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Retains Box Office Crown With $28 Million Haul

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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0

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles beat out a tree named Groot and a bunch of action hero OGs (old guys) to retain the #1 spot at the box-office, as it took in $28.4 million. Let’s Be Cops had the best debut among the newbies, as The Expendables 3 and The Giver took the #4 and #5 spots. Here’s the top 10:

  1.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – $28.4 million
  2. Guardians of the Galaxy – Audiences are still hooked on a feeling, as the Marvel flick took in $24.74 million
  3. Let’s Be Cops – With a production budget of $17 million, this buddy cop film does solid business behind The New Girl duo Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr.  – $17.7 million.
  4. The Expendables 3 – The old guys huff and puff their way to fourth place with $16.6 million. Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, and Wesley Snipes are the new additions.
  5. The Giver – Although it debuted at a disappointing fifth with $12.76 million, The Giver was made for just an estimated $25 million. Expect the movie to at least break even.
  6. Into The Storm – $7.72 million.
  7. The Hundred-Foot Journey – $7.1 million.
  8. Lucy – With over $107 million domestically, it’s safe to say Scarlett Johansson can carry her own action movie. Black Widow, anyone? Lucy made $5.3 million over the weekend.
  9. Step Up All In – $2.7 million
  10. Boyhood – One of the year’s best and most ambitious films. Should be remembered come Oscar nomination time. $2.15 million.

In the following clip, Teenage Mutant Ninja actress Megan Fox talks about being a big fan of TMNT:

Kevin Hart Gets His Reps With ‘Madden NFL 15’ Ad

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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0

During the About Last Night press junket, actor Kevin Hart talked about the importance of getting “reps” as an actor and performer. This sports reference surely applies to his work in the popular Madden NFL 15 commercial, which has him going toe to toe with actor Dave Franco. 

Although Hart starts off as the aggressor as he accosts Franco at his residence and keys his car, it’s Franco who scores the first touchdown during their Madden match. Even though Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard runs off with Franco’s girlfriend, he’s determined to beat Hart.

I have no clue who is a better Madden player, but the commercial proves the pair have undeniable chemistry. Let’s Be Cops is already out in theaters, but a buddy film pairing Hart and Franco could be a cinematic touchdown.

Below is a gallery of screenshots from the video, the actual commercial, and an audio clip from my interview with Hart.

http://youtu.be/-DL0W9AUCuY

[metaslider id=3868]

Madden NFL 15 comes out August 26 on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, and Xbox 360 consoles.

Michael Chiklis On Team Spirit Behind ‘When The Game Stands Tall’

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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0

Opening August 22, When The Game Stands Tall centers on the inspiring journey of Coach Bob Ladouceur (Jim Caviezel)and the De La Salle Spartans. Their string of 151 consecutive wins is an accomplishment which won’t be matched by a high school team anytime soon, and  co-star Michael Chiklis (he plays assistant coach Terry Eidson) talks about the roots of the Spartans’ success.

“When you listen to the speeches, when you watch the DVDs, when you see the way he handles the guys – (Coach Lad’s) demeanor – there’s nothing false about it,” said Chiklis. “There’s no doubt in my mind that they were the most incredibly successful team in the history of American sport because of philosophy, which I find fascinating.”

Michael Chiklis & Jim Caviezel in When The Game Stands Tall (Tri-Star Pictures, Photo:Tracy Bennett)
Michael Chiklis & Jim Caviezel in When The Game Stands Tall (Tri-Star Pictures, Photo: Tracy Bennett)

Placing team before one’s ego is just one of Coach Lad’s many teachings, and for one to succeed in any life venture, collaboration is a huge part of the equation. That spirit lived during the production of When The Game Stands Tall, and Chiklis liked the atmosphere to his time on the acclaimed series The Shield.

Click on the audio below to hear Chiklis, whose own youth was spent playing baseball, hockey, and football, talk about his experience working on When The Game Stands Tall:

Jeff Bridges Imparts Father’s Joyful Lessons With ‘The Giver’

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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0

One of the many takeaways from The Giver, aside from it being yet another solidly crafted film from director Philip Noyce (The Quiet American, Salt, Patriot Games, to name a few), is its seamless mixture of top level talent (Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep) with promising young actors (Brenton Thwaites, Odeya Rush).

Jeff Bridges & Brenton Thwaites in The Giver (Weinstein Films)

As the titular character, Bridges gives profound life advice to an initiate named Jonas (Thwaites) who discovers that his society isn’t as perfect as it seems. Although humanity begets violence, envy, and inevitable tragedy, there are a multitude of emotions and experiences that are gone from Jonas and The Giver’s world. It’s Jonas’ mission to bring back humanity’s memories into his emotionally sterile universe – no matter what the cost.

Bridges, who brings a relaxed yet yeoman like work ethic to acting, received valuable life and work advice from his late father, actor Lloyd Bridges. ” “You kind of relax when you’re feeling joyful and then all of the good stuff gets to come through,” said Bridges, who worked with his dad in Tucker and Blown Away. Click on the media bar to hear Bridges talk about the importance of bringing a sense of “joy” into his work:

http://youtu.be/0gdR9pBZNRM

 

 

Batman 25th Anniversary Edition Blu-Ray Set For November Debut

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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0

 

Michael Keaton’s run as the caped crusader still holds up after all these years, and starting November 11 you’ll get to revisit his work with the Batman 25th Anniversary Two-Disc Edition Blu-ray. The picture proved to be a turning point in both Keaton and Tim Burton’s careers, enabling them to carve out successful careers in showbiz (Keaton’s manic energy, coupled with his experience of playing a superhero, are all in play for the highly anticipated feature Birdman). Burton’s next feature Big Eyes comes out later this year.

The two-disc set comes with what Warner Brothers Home Entertainment describes as “distinctive new sleek Diamond Luxe collector-style packaging.” A new special feature, Batman: The Birth of the Modern Blockbuster, takes a look at how Batman blazed the trail for 25 years worth of Caped Crusader success.

Batman25

 

On our sister site Hollywood Outbreak, Michael Keaton explained why he envisioned the longevity of the Batman franchise and why he felt Batman Returns would even be better than Batman. Check out the story at this following link.

 

‘Life After Beth’ Director Jeff Baena On Film’s Dreamlike Visuals

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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0

 

Life After Beth has been part of director Jeff Baena’s creative world for well over a decade. He penned the script back in 2003, and with a bit of luck and determination, the film is finally a reality with what the filmmaker describes as his “dream cast.”

The ensemble includes Aubrey Plaza playing Beth, a young lady who’s killed by a zombie during a hike, leaving her family (Molly Shannon, John C. Reilly) and neurotic boyfriend (Dane DeHaan) distraught beyond belief. When Beth comes back into their world as a card carrying member of the undead, they surprisingly welcome her with open arms.

Dane DeHaan & Aubrey Plaza in Life After Beth (A24 Films)
Dane DeHaan & Aubrey Plaza in Life After Beth (A24 Films)

Plaza was the first actor on board Life After Beth, and DeHaan’s casting literally originated from a friendly card game.

“I met Dane at my house playing poker one night,” said Baena, who co-wrote the screenplay for I Heart Huckabees. “I’d knew, in addition to his unbelievable dramatic work, that he’s kind of a silly guy and has a really good sense of humor, and he hasn’t really had an opportunity to show that. Even though he’s the straight man in the movie, he has such a sensitivity to that humor and is such an amazing actor, his reactions are real and they’re also funny at the same time.”

Baena and cinematographer Jay Hunter shot Life After Beth with Arri Alexa cameras, but to give the movie a more dreamlike feel, Kodak gray cards and film elements were also mixed in. I’m not a tech or photography guy, so to fully understand the process, listen to Baena’s explanation below:

Now available on DirecTV, Life After Beth opens in New York and Los Angeles on August 15.

Preachers of LA’s Pastor Jay Haizlip On Faith: “God Radically Changed Me”

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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0

Pastor Jay Haizlip has gained his share of fame for his participation in the docu-series Preachers of L.A., and one would expect that momentum to continue with the August 20 premiere of the show’s second season.

Balancing his life as a family man and as the lead pastor of The Sanctuary in Orange County (Ca.), Haizlip has his share of responsibilities. Still, his life’s mission originates from a spiritual place. “Having God changed my life,” said Haizlip, who’s a former professional skateboarder. “I struggled with addiction and just a lot of setbacks in my life and God radically changed me.”

Even though Haizlip spends his days spreading the word of Jesus Christ, life is not a one sided conversation. I asked Haizlip to talk about colleagues he seeks for advice and comfort, and click on the audio clip below to hear his answer (Pastor Wayne Chaney can also be heard in the background):

Season two of Preachers of L.A., which also features Chaney, Bishop Ron Gibson, and Minister Deitrick Haddon, premieres August 20.

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