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 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:
 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – $28.4 million
Guardians of the Galaxy – Audiences are still hooked on a feeling, as the Marvel flick took in $24.74 million
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.
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.
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.
Into The Storm – $7.72 million.
The Hundred-Foot Journey – $7.1 million.
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.
Step Up All In – $2.7 million
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:
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.Â
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
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Madden NFL 15 comes out August 26 on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, and Xbox 360 consoles.
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)
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:
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:
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.
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 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)
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.
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.
Remember life is a journey and we don’t arrive while we are still alive. So don’t ever run out of VISION FOR YOUR FUTURE. #IcanSeeIT
Chloë Grace Moretz and Jamie Blackley star in If I Stay, a film based on Gayle Forman’s bestselling young adult novel about the relationship between a talented cellist (Moretz) and a fellow musician (Jamie Blackley). Their love for each other is palpable, but when fate hands them a devastating blow, will their union persevere through this tragedy?
Whether it’s going toe to toe with Julianne Moore in Carrie or dabbling in Martin Scorsese’s universe with Hugo, Chloë Grace Moretz has approached her movie roles with a steady and passionate keep it simple approach.
“I’ve always followed my heart,” says Moretz, whose other credits include scene stealing work in the Kick-Ass films and (500) Days of Summer. “And with every project I’ve ever chosen, it’s been something that I feel I couldn’t live without.”
At 17, Moretz is already an actress who’s carrying her own films, but even though she’s in a rarefied (and hard earned) place in her profession, she also knows the acting journey will have its highs and lows. Click on the audio bar below to hear Chloë Grace Moretz talk about her acting journey which started at the tender age of five.
Since the advent of cinema, indie filmmaking has always been a labor of love, and director Pieter Gaspersz’s debut feature After snugly fits into that category. Set in 2002, the drama centers on a middle class family in upstate New York who are trying to keep a tragic secret from their matriarch (Kathleen Quinlan).
With a bare bones budget and a 20-day production schedule, Gaspersz’s biggest creative coup was landing a grade-A ensemble to anchor the narrative. John Doman (The Wire, Damages) brings a heartbreaking gravitas as the seemingly strong as an ox patriarch, while Pablo Schreiber (Orange is the NewBlack) and Adam Scarimbolo also do fine work as the dad’s diametrically opposed sons. From top to bottom, each member of the ensemble (which also includes Diane Neal and Tracy Howe), are up to the task.
During the interview, Gaspersz talked about working with Quinlan. “You’ve prepared your shot, you’ve protected your actor,” said the director. “Kathleen and I were side by side – any time there was an intense moment, no one was allowed to talk. It was her and I on set and ready to go. You get into it, and her performance – her magic takes over. The director side disappears . . . and you’re just grateful to be there with the camera capturing it.”
Quinlan’s distinguished acting career started in the 1970s, and several of her most recognizable films include I Never Promised You A Rose Garden, Apollo 13, and The Doors (If you’re a fan of nuanced, coming-of-age dramas, check out Quinlan, Sam Rockwell, and Mischa Barton in Lawn Dogs).
“I was attracted to After because there was an actual story,” said Quinlan. “And there was an actual character and something to play which gets more and more difficult to find. Certainly, it’s always the writing first and Sabrina’s a fabulous writer. Each character is not just talking – they are speaking as a character.”
For Sabrina Gennarino, crafting After’s script began with painful self-reflection. “It was a healing process for myself,” said Gennarino, who also stars in the feature. “We lived the event – three blocks away. The whole works. It’s my take on how my family would have reacted if that was me . . . It is from mine and Pieter’s personal experience on where this story comes from. So I wrote what I knew.”
In the following audio clip, Kathleen Quinlan talks about the difference between fame and actually doing the work as an actor:
After is now available On Demand, iTunes, and Amazon Instant. For more info, check out the film’s official site.
