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Greg Kinnear Explores Inner Conflicts of “Heaven Is For Real”

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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Oscar nominee and Emmy Award winning actor Greg Kinnear stars in “Heaven is for Real” as Todd Burpo, a small town pastor whose faith is shaken after his son Colton (Connor Corum) claims to have visited heaven. The story, based on Todd Burpo’s bestselling novel of the same name, is under reliable hands with Randall Wallace as the director. Wallace, best known as the screenwriter behind “Braveheart,” also directed the films “The Man in the Iron Mask” and “We Were Soldiers.”

Although the story contains religious overtones, “Heaven is for Real” is also an evocative look at Burpo’s profound relationship with Colton. Does he believe his son and risk criticism from his congregation (which includes fine work from Margo Martindale and Thomas Haden Church) or does he explain the visions as mere illusions?

Stories of holding onto as well as questioning one’s faith, whether it’s spiritual or of a secular nature, is a universal struggle. “I guess it could have just been a role,” said Kinnear, who previously worked with Wallace on We Were Soldiers. “Randy doesn’t tend to make movies like that. We Were Soldiers had a big impact on me, and I would say the same for this movie.”

Click on the media bar to hear Greg Kinnear explain why “Heaven Is For Real” is a story that just doesn’t focus on heaven.

“Heaven Is For Real,” which also stars Kelly Reilly as Todd’s wife Sonja Burpo, is now playing nationwide.

American Idol’s Malaya Watson Garners Praise From Jennifer Lopez

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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American Idol (FOX, CR: Michael Becker)

One of this season’s biggest success stories on “American Idol” is 16-year-old’s Malaya Watson’s journey through the show. The Michigan native may have been eliminated last week, but she’ll join her colleagues this summer on the “American Idol” tour and gain even more experience as an artist. After last week’s elimination night, the telegenic singer received sage advice and support from the “Idol” judges.

“Jennifer Lopez said ‘stay true to yourself’ (and) Keith Urban said ‘You got it baby, you just work on it better, you’ve got this,'” said Watson. “Harry Connick Jr. said to just focus on my craft and who I am and not to not worry about stardom.”

Watson received strong praise from Lopez, who sees the artist as an immense talent. “As far as God given talent,” said Lopez. “(And) as far as voices go, she’s probably the best here. Being 16, you need time to learn control, you need time to learn your voice. She’s just learning herself. I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot from her in the future.” Click on the media bar below to hear Jennifer Lopez talk about Watson.

Malaya Watson, who told Yahoo! TV that she would love to carve out a TV career,  also learned that the music business takes its share of hard work and perseverance, as even an amazing set of pipes needs a bit of luck and strength to survive. Click on the media bar below to hear Malaya Watson.

“American Idol” airs tonight on FOX (8 pm et/pt).

Infinity Wars Welcomes Star Trek: The Next Generation To Trading Card Universe

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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Infinity Wars

If you’re an independent developer, one of the key questions is how much are you willing to take it to the limit and push your content to an even wider audience. For Australia based Lightmare Studios, they’re putting all their cards on the table (excuse the pun) by bringing the “Star Trek: The Next Generation” universe into their Infinity Wars world. During my conversation with Lightmare Studios creator Elphie Coyle, he explained how the trading card renderings of the Star Trek characters should please avid Trekkers.

“It takes a lot longer to get the cards approved,” said Coyle. “Before if we liked the cards, it was cool and we’d take it on. Now if a left cheekbone is off by two centimeters, we’ll fix that. And then that will add another half a day to the production because of the back and forth. It’s totally fine, you accept it part and parcel, and the unexpected benefit that we’ve had is that the artists have gotten far better at their skills at well.”

Cyber Infested WarsCurrently in beta mode, “Infinity Wars” has generated a loyal following with over 6 million games played, and part of its initial momentum lies in its simultaneous turn game mechanic and since it’s a digital trading card game, the title puts a welcome emphasis on its visual design.

As much as I enjoy free to play titles, I’ll discard any game that goes for the money grab within the first several minutes of gameplay. Don’t expect that kind of freemium mess with “Infinity Wars,” as Coyle offers gamers a financial model that, for lack of a better word, is all about fair play.

“It’s basically kindhearted free to play,” said Coyle. “So every bit of game affecting content is available for free and is earnable in the game. When I say premium content, it’s two things: one is the ability to buy a package quicker and the other is all the prestige items (i.e.) extra battlefields, extra card backs, extra animation for cards. But nothing that will affect the gameplay.”

Here are a few features you’ll find in Infinity Wars:

  • Over 300 cards currently available, with new cards released frequently
  • Every single card beautifully animated
  • Open trading between players
  • Over 120 Single Player and Multiplayer quests to complete
  • Simultaneous gameplay allows bluff and prediction mechanics never seen before in traditional TCGs
  • Full deck builder allows for millions of custom deck combinations
  • Cross-platform play across PC, Mac, iOS and Android
  • Customizable Deck and Battlefield skins
  • Star Trek: The Next Generation coming to Infinity Wars starting with 20 new cards releasing April 26

Before we finished the interview, Coyle explained how “Infinity Wars” and “Hearthstone” are games that are targeted to different audiences, adding that, in this case, the term “David vs. Goliath” should actually be changed to “David and Goliath.” Coyle also thanks the gamers around the world who have supported Infinity wars long, arduous, and ultimately fulfilling journey.

Click on the Soundcloud bar below to hear Coyle talk about Infinity Wars:

Sergio Mendes Works His “Magic” With Rio 2 Soundtrack

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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0

In a career that spans over 35 albums, three Grammy awards, and even an Oscar nomination (for the “Rio” track “Real in Rio”), Sergio Mendes really has nothing to prove. The joy for Mendes, however, is not wracking up a list of accomplishments and resting on some ivory tower. The Brazilian musician, who returns as a producer on the “Rio 2” soundtrack, is a worldwide traveler who loves to collaborate with a wide array of artists.

It’s this spirit which has guided Mendes throughout his life, and during our conversation he talked about working on “Rio 2”, his collaborations with John Legend and will.i.am, the beauty of Milton Nasimento’s voice, and his upcoming album “Magic.” I also was curious about his collaboration with jazz great Cannonball Adderly so many years ago, and he talked about the experience as if it happened just yesterday. It was a wonderful chat, so please enjoy!

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Producing the ‘Rio’ soundtracks must hold a special place for you, since it introduces many children, as well as movie fans, to the diverse world of Brazilian music.

Absolutely. It was a great opportunity for me to do that, because that’s the music I grew up with as a kid. I think it’s beautiful music and like you said the diversity is fantastic.

That gave me a chance to bring that music to the world, to the kids. We did that in Rio, and we did that in Rio 2. With (director) Carlos Saldanha also being from Brazil, it helped a lot because he is very familiar like I am with the music. It was a joy for me working with him and John Powell, the composer.

When I think of the merging of Bossa Nova and jazz from the 1950s and ’60s, as witnessed by Antonio Carlos Jobim’s work with Frank Sinatra or your collaboration with Cannonball Adderly, I see a parallel today with your approach to music in the Rio collaborations. Is that a fair connection?

You have a very good point. When you look back at the bossa nova and you saw Stan Getz falling in love with the Brazilian melodies. And many others like Cannonball and Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. You fast forward and you have all these wonderful singers and interpreters from all over the world falling in love with that kind of music.

It’s interesting you say that, because I’m working on an album right now that’s coming out in June. I have guests like Milton Nascimento but I also wrote a song with John Legend and (another) song with Janelle Monae. There is a whole new generation of musicians that love Brazilian music. We’re writing songs together which is the next step to a beautiful thing. So you’re right, there is a mutual attraction.

Is there a true key to a successful collaboration?

I’m very curious and I love to learn and those two things are very important. When I wrote this song, it was a melody. It was chords. I sent it to John Legend and said “would you be interested in writing some lyrics?” It was a very natural process.

For me, it is an enriching process because you get together with another musician and it’s like making a movie, but you’re writing a song. I love that. My band has eight people and we exchange ideas and it’s a great thing. When I worked with will.i.am. it was the same thing. He liked what I did and I liked what he did. It was a very spontaneous kind of encounter. It excites me a lot working with other artists from different cultures, different countries, different ages.

Is there also that idea that no matter how one has progressed as an artist, there is no master/student relationship in a true collaboration?

Absolutely. When you work with somebody else you’re always going to learn something new. You’re going to see things from a different perspective. Like working with will.i.am., for me it’s a wonderful experience because you’re not isolated with your own opinion or creative process. Someone else will give you alternatives, and I love that.

As a producer, what are the challenges of working on such a big musical number like “Batucada Familia” or working with the subtle tune “Favo De Mel” with Milton Nascimento?

With “Batucada Familia,” the idea was to have a celebration of the family getting together again. So Carlinhos Brown, we’ve been writing songs for a long time now. Batucada (translates to) having a lot of percussion. (So we came up) with something very positive, sunny, and colorful. We sat at the piano and John Powell also co-wrote the song with us.

 The movie guides us. That’s what we write music for. It’s different if I’m writing a song for my record. If I’m writing for an animated movie like Rio you have to think about the children, the melody has to be simple, not too complicated and then you have to have the joy that the rhythmical part of Brazilian music brings.

Milton is an old friend. We’re the same age. He’s one of my favorite musicians in the world. John Powell had the idea of him singing ‘Real in Rio’ – the song that I wrote with Siedah Garrett, Carlinhos Brown, and John Powell, in Portuguese. He sang almost in a capella in John Powell’s studio. And then John put a beautiful orchestra behind it, 140 musicians. It’s a beautiful thing. I cried when I heard it the first time. I love his voice.

Is one of the reasons you continue to grow as an artist is that you continue to explore, share your music and move forward?

 You just described me! I am that kind of guy. I’m on the move. I’m 73 years old and next month I’m going to Japan. I’m doing all the jazz concerts in Europe this year and I’m finishing my album. I love that. As long as God gives me the health to do that, I’m very lucky and blessed to have that. I have a great family. My wife stays in my bed, so we travel together. It’s a great thing and it’s a wonderful life. I’m enjoying it to the max every day.

Can you please tell us what to expect from your upcoming album?

The album is coming out on Sony Masterworks the first week in June. The title is “Magic” because when I look at the people that worked on this album (it feels) like the magic of life. The art of the encounter. Going to Brazil and recording. Having Milton Nascimento writing a song for me. Writing a song with John Legend or Janelle Monae. Will.i.am. is producing a song and I sent him a track and he’s working on it. To have singers from Brazil like Maria Cantu and Seu Jorge, for me that’s magic. I was as excited (doing “Magic”) as I was with my first album. That’s where I’m at and I’m really excited about this project.

Very quickly. Just memories of working with Canonball Adderly?

Oh man. That was 1962. I was 20 years old. There was a bossa nova concert in Carnegie Hall. Bossa nova was exploding with Stan Getz and “The Girl from Ipanema” and “Desafinado.” So the Brazilian government put together a bossa nova concert. It was November of ’62, and it was the first time I came to the United States. I had a band that time called the Bossa Rio Sextet. Two trombones and a saxophone and a trumpet.

I couldn’t believe I was in New York and in Carnegie Hall. When I get there, I meet Stan Getz and Dizzy Gillespie and all those guys. So after the show, I went to Birdland to meet Canonball Adderly. I was a big fan. We met, I think he saw the show at Carnegie Hall and he asked me if I wanted to sit down and start playing piano. I started shaking and thought, ‘Oh my God, this is not possible.”

But I did play a song with him and after that he said, ‘Let’s make an album together.’ He was a wonderful human being and an incredible saxophonist so that was my first beautiful musical experience. To play at Carnegie Hall and make an album with Cannonball. It was a big (and) important part of my life.

Here’s a video of a  Sergio Mendes collaboration with will.i.am and Siedah Garrett. “Funky Bahia” is a tune that’s featured on Mendes’ album “Encanto.”

Maureen O’Hara Shines Bright at TCM Classic Film Festival

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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Elton John once sang that Saturday night’s alright for fighting, but over in Hollywood no fisticuffs were headed in my direction. I was but one of several hundred movie buffs waiting at the El Capitan Theatre to check out John Ford’s feature “How Green Was My Valley” at the TCM Classic Film Festival. Maureen O’Hara, the strong willed and talented beauty whose credits include “The Quiet Man” and “Miracle on 34th Street,” was on hand to introduce the film.

I unabashedly love TCM host Robert Osborne’s interviewing skills as well as his even handed reverence for the films of yesteryear. Many journalists and hosts come off as sycophantic during interviews, and thankfully Osborne doesn’t belong in that camp. After a Maureen O’Hara brief tribute clip finished, Osborne introduced the actress, who immediately received a standing ovation.

After noticing a tear on O’Hara’s cheek from the warm reception, the TCM host dished out his first question.

Osborne: So Maureen, tell us about John Ford (and) what he meant to you?

O’Hara: I thought I was here to talk about me.

The crowd erupted in laughter, giving the actress another round of effusive applause. Osborne, who always seems to know exactly what to say, interjected, “What I meant was, what did John Ford mean to Maureen O’Hara?”

Maureen O’Hara, “How Green Was My Valley” Screening (WireImage, Photo: Stefanie Keenan)

With much respect to Mr. Ford’s classic, most of the moviegoers’ goals was shower O’Hara with their undying affection. Since most of the TCM Classic Film Festival attendees are diehard cinephiles, many of them had already seen “How Green Was My Valley.”

The “you had to be there” cliche certainly applies regarding that evening, especially since the 93-year-old actress knows how to spin a tale or two.

“I’ll tell you something that’s wonderful,” said O’Hara to a rapt audience. “To walk up and down the street once here in this area. . . they always used to say when we were little that the ghosts of the dead Irish were here in this little village somewhere and they walked up and down the street. If you walked up and down, too, they’d see to it that you’d get a chance to make a second walk.”

Osborne then jokingly described the story as “Irish blarney,” to which O’Hara replied: “Well if it is Irish blarney, what do you want?”

We get to the part of the evening which got me a bit teary eyed, as she regaled the crowd with a mixture of spirituality, sentiment, and humor.

“I just hope that it’s true that we do live way beyond the years that God gives us on Earth,” she added. “And that way we can have Saturday night every weekend! Don’t laugh and applaud and think it means nothing. Believe me, God is listening all the time. And he’s listening to see if he can catch you doing something that you shouldn’t be doing!”

Osborne later replied, “We thank you for coming you and letting us show you our affection for you.” To which O’Hara interjected, “Well, don’t be fooled into thinking I do magical things.”

Osborne: “You really do. You’ve done magical things up there on the screen.”

The crowd once again erupts in applause, and the actress shares another thought on the afterlife.

O’Hara: “So many of us have passed, who are in heaven. So many of us are looking towards heaven – and so many of us are seeing what our life is going to be like in the time to come.”

After someone in the theater coughed, O’Hara asked that person to stand up so God would bless them. When the unidentified joked that Osborne gave her the allergy, O’Hara looked at the TCM host, “Got an allergy for ya, I hope I don’t think it means what I think it does!”

And with that, Osborne and the audience thanked O’Hara for her time, and the screening of “How Green Was My Valley” started.

The words “movie magic” is often thrown around like useless glitter, that one wonders if such a concept exists anymore. Once in a blue moon, when Maureen O’Hara is on the silver screen, that notion rings true.

Here’s the video of the pre-screening conversation between O’Hara and Osborne:

As for “How Green Was My Valley,” I’m embarrassed that it took me 42 years to watch this cinematic treasure. O’Hara, who landed the role over screen sirens Gene Tierney and Katherine Hepburn, was just one of many actors who gave wonderful performances in the feature (the movie also stars Walter Pidgeon and Roddy McDowall). Considering the movie centers on a Welsh coal mining family who navigate through life by faith and perseverance, “How Green Was My Valley” served as the perfect pairing to O’Hara’s appearance at the TCM Classic Film Festival.

‘Playing House’ Stars Reach for Comedic Heights With New Series

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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“Playing House,” a single-camera comedy starring longtime collaborators Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair, premieres April 29 on USA Network, and if you love quick draw humor dished out by likable actors, then you’ve come to the right place. The show centers on Maggie Caruso (Lennon Parham) and Emma Crawford (Jessica St. Clair), childhood best friends who team up to raise Maggie’s soon to be born baby.

The pilot has Emma leaving a highly successful job in China to move back to her Pinebrook, Connecticut hometown to help Maggie through her pregnancy. Along with impending motherhood, Maggie must also face irresponsible hubby Bruce (Brad Morris), who is having an online affair with a voluptuous German woman who needs a bit of financial assistance. Meanwhile, Emma’s return home leads to her constant bickering with the town’s local flatfoot (Keegan-Michael Key from “Key and Peele”), a married dude who’s also Emma’s ex-boyfriend.

I’ve only seen the pilot, and the real life friendship between Parham and St. Clair adds to the natural chemistry that drives “Playing House.” During the interview, I asked the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater vets if they thought their dreams would ever reach this far (along with executive producing “Playing House,” they also produced and starred on their previous series “Best Friends Forever”).

Check out the video below to hear their answer:

“Playing House,” which also stars features Jane Kaczmarek (“Malcom in the Middle”) as Maggie’s mom, debuts Tuesday, April 29 on USA Network.

Leslie Mann & Cameron Diaz Are “Soul Mates” In ‘The Other Woman’

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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“The Other Woman” centers on Kate, a sheltered Connecticut housewife (Leslie Mann) who plots revenge on her philandering husband Mark (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). High powered exec Carly (Cameron Diaz) and nubile youngster Amber (Kate Upton), two ladies who were also seduced by Mark’s charms, join in on Kate’s quest to even the score.

Even though there’s enough comedy to be had, “The Other Woman” actually has its share of resonant moments, as the narrative delves into the growing friendship and bond among the three women. It may have its share of slapstick laughs and bathroom humor (Coster-Waldau has a sequence which made me queasy), but it’s the chemistry between Diaz and Mann which serves as the film’s shining star.

The Other Woman Press Conference

That chemistry was also evident during today’s press conference, as Leslie Mann and Cameron Diaz answered a reporter’s question on if they truly believed in the idea of a soul mate. “I guess Judd is my soul mate,” said Mann, who married director Judd Apatow back in 2007. “Because we have a lot of hard times, but it’s great at times too. Maybe that means he’s my soul mate? Maybe? I don’t know!”

Click on the audio below to hear Mann’s full answer to the question, and Diaz also chimes in to add that close friends and companions should also be considered soul mates:

“The Other Woman,” directed by Nick Cassavetes, opens nationwide April 25.

Gordon Ramsay Takes It Personal With “Kitchen Nightmares”

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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Season six of “Kitchen Nightmares” premieres tonight (FOX, 8 pm et/pt), as Gordon Ramsay revisits Amy’s Baking Company in Scottsdale, AZ. Checking back on former clients is one of the show’s strongest facets, as it proves that some of the owners need a refresher course on how to properly run their business.

The episode also features Ramsay traveling to Denver, CO, as he lends his sage advice to an Italian restaurant named Pantaleone’s. The owner is reportedly stuck in his ways, but as you can see from the restaurant’s official website, Ramsay’s influence left the restaurant in good standing.

As much as I love the histrionics and adrenaline that fuels “Hell’s Kitchen,” it’s also great to see Ramsay’s candid yet ultimately nurturing spirit displayed on “Kitchen Nightmares.” Plus, don’t expect the celebrated chef to just go through the motions on the show, even if he’s reached huge levels of success.

“Kitchen Nightmares, I take so personally,” said Ramsay. “We take it so personally from the research to the competition, and how much heart and soul we put into it. We really want to turn these businesses around and help them. And I suppose in many ways, we unearth stuff that one wouldn’t even have any idea of digging that far down. And then, of course, the first thing I look for when I walk in there is where is the weakness in this business? And usually can spot it a mile away.”

In the clip below, he explains why, even with his adept skills behind the kitchen as well as in front of the camera, he continues to learn about his craft. Click on the audio and listen to Ramsay:

Check out the video, as Ramsay doesn’t have kind words for the pizza that’s being dished out by Pantaleone’s:

TCM Classic Film Festival Kicks Off With Host Robert Osborne

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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Robert Osborne (TCM Film Festival)

The fifth annual TCM Classic Film Festival kicks off today, and TCM host Robert Osborne talked to press about the festival and also shared various movie moments from his past. It was a great way to kick off a Thursday morning, especially since most of the media members who attended the event are diehard movie buffs.

This year’s theme is “Family in the Movies: The Ties That Bind,” and during the four day celebration various movies will explore the movie making dynasties that has American cinema through the generations. The opening night gala is a movie buff’s dream, as the world premiere of the restoration of “Oklahoma!” is taking place at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX. The event, which will be hosted by Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz, will also feature a Q&A session with “Oklahoma!” star Shirley Jones.

Now in his early seventies, Robert Osborne remains an unabashed lover of the golden age of Hollywood, and during the end of this morning’s press conference, he explained why “A Place in the Sun” and “This Is Spinal Tap” are among his favorite movies!

Click on the media bar below to hear Mr. Osborne talk about his favorite films:

Two of my all-time favorite films, the William Friedkin directed action-drama flick “Sorcerer” and Orson Welles’ film noir classic “Touch of Evil,” will also be screened at the fest. For more info, you can check out Twitter and follow @TCMfilmfest.

Nicolas Cage Connects Sublime “Joe” With Bruce Lee & Häägan-Dazs!

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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0

Based on Larry Brown’s novel of the same name, “Joe” centers on ex-con Joe Ransom (Nicolas Cage), a man who’s trying to stay out of harm’s way. His quick trigger temper, which is usually aimed at police officers or town irritants (Ronnie Gene Blevens), isn’t making that job any easier.

Our protagonist’s solitary life takes a turn for the better, as he befriends a troubled teenager named Gary (Tye Sheridan) who lands a job with Ransom’s tree poisoning crew. Both Cage and Sheridan share an innate chemistry, and the narrative also contains chilling work from novice actor Gary Poulter as Gary’s deadbeat, alcoholic father. Sadly, Poulter died before he could fully appreciate the fruits of his labor.

Joe (Roadside Attractions, CR: Linda Kallerus)

Directed by David Gordon Green (“George Washington,” “Undertow”), the Southern set drama features has Cage approaching his role in a subtle and naturalistic manner. The actor also tried to make his character as real as possible, as he impressed the crew with his handling of a real cottonmouth snake. Cage, in his own eccentric fashion, described the experience as “very calming..and kind of beautiful.”

The highlight from this week’s “Joe” press conference came from an out of left field Nicolas Cage story, in which he attempted to connect a scene from “Joe” with the importance of eating Häägan-Dazs ice cream and watching a Bruce Lee/Chuck Norris action sequence.

For Cage, attempting to link seemingly incongruous elements is a process he gleaned from his father, who spent his career as a professor. “As a result of my relationship with him, sometimes I talk around in circles,” said the actor. “And sometimes I say things that either land or don’t land. Sometimes I say something really succinct.”

To hear Mr. Cage link “Joe” with Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, his dad, and Häägen-Dazs ice cream, click on the audio below:

“Joe” opens April 11 in theaters and On Demand.

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