Deepest Dream is hosting an ANGRY BIRDS Giveaway package which includes: the DVD for ANGRY BIRDS TOONS: SEASON ONE – VOLUME TWO, an Angry Birds lunchbox, and an Angry Birds Backpack. All of these items are unused and unopened, and will be given out to one (1) lucky winner. The contest ends July 31 at 8 pm pt.
If you have already “liked” The Deepest Dream Facebook page, you already qualify so just send me your info and email me at: editor@deepestdream.com. Newbies to my Facebook page, please follow the instructions below:
Entrants must live in the U.S. and be at least 18.
After liking our Facebook page, email your address information to: editor@deepestdream.com
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**The Deadline to enter this Giveaway is Thursday, July 31 at 8 pm pt. I will announce the winner on Facebook and my @DeepestDreamingtwitter account that evening. Good luck!!
Madeline Brewer joins the Hemlock Grove family in season two as Miranda, a sensitive soul who finds herself caught amidst the Peter (Landon Liboiron) and Roman (Bill Skarsgard) firestorm. During last week’s Hemlock Grove interviews, Brewer discussed what makes the show unique.
Landon Liboiron (L) and Madeline Brewer (R) in a scene from Netflix’s “Hemlock Grove” Season 2. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer for Netflix.
“It’s very different from every other supernatural or horror and vampire show that’s out there,” said Brewer. “It has its own tone. It has its own quirkiness. And I love that.” The actress, who also received recognition for her work on the first season of Orange Is The New Black, has carved out a pretty solid run with the Netflix family, and she also added that streaming shows is also part of her viewing experience.With such shows as Orange Is The New Black, House of Cards, and Breaking Bad, binge watching has become a primary method of viewing shows. Click on the media bar below to hear Madeline Brewer and co-star Madeleine Martin give their thoughts on the idea of watching a slew of episodes in a row (fyi – I’ll be binge watching the rest of Hemlock Grove this weekend)!Hemlock Grove is now available on Netflix.
Premiering tonight, Untold With Maria Menounos aims to give people a deeper look into stories that may be swimming in the public’s pop culture consciousness. Since Menounos’ reporting resume includes real and celebrity news, one can hopefully expect an insightful and even eyed look into the proceedings.
For Menounos, who’s also the CEO of the flourishing AfterBuzz TV network, Untold will feature stories that even surpassed her own expectations. “My jaw was on the floor in the edit bay,” said Menounos. “And I’ve been doing this for 14 years. So we’ve got something cool – stories that are gripping and interesting that will shock a young audience and an older audience. Whoever will be watching it will be intrigued. So I’m excited.”
During a recent interview, I asked Menounos about the genesis of AfterBuzz TV, and instead of tooting her own horn, she explained the innate benefits of starting her own network. One huge dividend from her venture comes from watching the growth of the reporters who’ve worked on the network. The entertainment industry, or for that matter most industries, are bound to be competitive, but fostering a nurturing and supporting environment will always bear fruit.
Click on the video below as Maria Menounos talks about AfterBuzz TV:
Here’s a sneak peek of Untold With Maria Menounos, which premieres tonight on E! (8 pm et/pt)
Premiering tonight on USA Network, Satisfaction centers on Neil Truman (Matt Passmore), a successful investment advisor who hasn’t put enough time into his marriage with his wife Grace (Stephanie Szostak). His intimacy issues culminates into Grace’s tryst with an escort, thus sending their relationship into a seeming tailspin.
“She didn’t actively search for a male escort,” says Szostack, whose movie credits include The Devil Wears Prada and Gimme Shelter. “For the first time, she’s connected to all of herself and not in (just) being a wife and a mother. So she feels alive for the first time.”
Blair Redford, Stephanie Szostak & Matt Passmore in ‘Satisfaction’ (USA Network, CR: Robert Ascroft)
Such a heartbreaking occurrence may actually lead Neil and Grace back to a deeper understanding of each other, as the series will also delve into both of their lives before the infidelity took place. I was one of the bloggers who had the chance to speak with the actors earlier in the year during a Television Critics Association (TCA) press day, and I asked Passmore about his transition from the beloved TV series The Gladesto his current role in Satisfaction.
Created and executive produced by Sean Jablonski (Suits, Nip Tuck), Satisfactionairs tonight on USA Network at 10 pm.
Keira Knightley first gained fame back in 2002 for her work in Bend It Like Beckham, and in the ensuing years she’s become an international star, confidently dipping her creative feet in blockbusters (Pirates of the Caribbean films, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit), period films/historical dramas (A Dangerous Method, Anna Karenina, Pride & Prejudice), and off-center, character driven narratives (Never Let Me Go, Seeking A Friend for the End of the World).
No matter what genre she takes on, Knightley sees each venture as a challenge. “I certainly don’t sneer at big budget things and I don’t sneer at small budget things,” says the actress who will also be seen later this year opposite Sam Rockwell and Chloe Grace Moretz in Laggies. “It’s about the opportunity to do all different styles – for me.” Click on the media bar below to hear Keira Knightley talk about her work in Anna Karenina, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, and Begin Again:
Begin Again, co-starring Adam Levine and Mark Ruffalo, is now playing in select theaters.
Premiering on NBC September 24, The Mysteries of Laura centers on Laura Diamond (Debra Messing), a perceptive NYPD homicide detective blessed with two rambunctious kids and a soon to be ex-husband/fellow cop (Josh Lucas). Laz Alonso plays Laura’s partner, Detective Billy Sands, and Janina Gavankar (True Blood, Arrow, The Gates) is Meredith Bose, Laura’s fellow colleague and rival.
“Meredith is what, the homicide detectives that we hung out with in New York City…she is what they call a ‘buff,'” said Gavankar, who also played a police officer in The Gates. “Which is somebody who takes their job a little too seriously. She both looks up to Laura and is absolutely aggravated by her because, in Meredith’s opinion, she works twice as hard and long everyday as Laura and gets half the recognition – if that.”
Laz Alonso, Debra Messing Josh Lucas, Janina Gavankar – The Mysteries of Laura (NBC, CR: Paul Drinkwater)
Although the series is propelled by comedy, one-liners or situational humor is often best served when the narrative is grounded in a semblance of reality. Dedicated and thorough actors will do their share of research for their characters.When part of that work includes getting into the emotional skin of NYPD detectives, co-stars Gavankar and Alonso jumped at the chance for a bit of extra homework.
During our interview with the pair, they talked about hanging out with police officers as prep for The Mysteries of Laura, and both revealed that when it comes to accruing information regarding their characters, they have an entirely different acting process. For Gavankar, the journalistic/interviewer approach best suits her craft, wherein Alonso attempts to pick up behavior through a bit of subtle osmosis.
Check out the video below to hear Janina Gavankar and Laz Alonso talk about meeting NYPD detectives for The Mysteries ofLaura:
On tonight’s season finale of The Night Shift, Topher’s (Ken Leung) life hangs in the balance, and Jordan’s (Jill Flint) fateful decision towards the person (Steven Bauer) who shot Topher could yield huge career repercussions. Meanwhile, T.C.’s (Eoin Macken) tragic war experiences come to full light, as his close bond with Jordan enters a deeper level with a heartbreaking confession.
We talked to Jill Flint this morning, and the diehard Brooklyn denizen talked to us about her passion for acting and the joy of having The Night Shift returning for a second season. She also talked about tonight’s episode which, if you’re a diehard fan of the show, doesn’t pull any punches (it airs on NBC at 10 pm et/pt).
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How does it feel knowing The Night Shift is coming back for a second season? Where were you when you heard the news?
I’m totally excited! We’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting. I think it was early in the morning. I woke up and I actually got an email from Gabe Sachs who is our showrunner. You get so excited that you can’t react for the first few minutes. You just have to let it sink in.
It’s a dream come true. I get to work with my friends. I get to play more and hang out with them and explore our characters and see what happens next. You get attached to the characters you play and you want to see what’s going to happen next with them. It’s thrilling and you don’t want it to end.
What can you tells us about The Night Shift’s season finale?
Tonight’s episode really focuses on saving Topher (Ken Leung). But you also see Jordan have a little more understanding on what TC is going through with his experience in Afghanistan and with PTSD. You also see a moment where Jordan is faced with an ethical dilemma.
She has to choose with what would be the right thing to do as a doctor and what she feels might be the right thing to do. It’s a pressure cooker moment for sure.
There’s an important conversation TC has with Jordan tonight. Without giving too much away, can you talk about shooting that sequence?
I can say this – tonight I have a moment with TC, played by Eoin Macken and he gave 110%. It was haunting how much it stuck with me afterward. He made it easy to go there with him. There are definitely moments when you forget everything that’s around you. You forget – the cameras, the guy holding the boom (mic), and you’re just in it. When it’s done, you have to shake it off. And I definitely had one of those moments shooting the episode that you’re going to see it tonight.
Jill Flint as Jordan Santos in “The Night Shift” (NBC, CR: Jeff Riedel)
When do you start shooting the show and getting back to work on The Night Shift?
When it comes to the show, it’s really not “work.” I believe we’re going to start shooting at the end of this summer/early fall and try to get the show out as soon as possible. The fan response has been huge, and we don’t want to keep them waiting.
We’re very excited to get the show back up and running and get ourselves going and put up more episodes for everybody.
How gratifying is it to have a great fan response to the show?
It’s amazing! It feels really good to put everything you have into something and have people respond to it. It’s absolutely amazing to have that. We’ve been doing a lot of live tweeting on Tuesday nights and it’s been fun to interact with people and see what they respond to. It’s a cool experience for sure, and I’m grateful for it.
What do you love about living in Brooklyn?
Well I moved to New York almost 20 years ago now and I spent most of my time in Brooklyn. I moved out to Williamsburg in 1995 and it was not the Williamsburg you know today. I think each borough has something amazing to offer – it’s such a versatile and diverse city. I love living in Brooklyn, I think it’s a great borough.
I’ve also lived in Queens. I’ve lived in Harlem, and I’ve lived in Chinatown. I’ve lived all over – but I always come home to Brooklyn. It’s great, but at the same time it’s kind of a (bummer) when you have to wait two and a half hours at your favorite restaurant to get your favorite seat. But it is what it is (laughs).
You get some people who’ve been living in the neighborhood forever that were born and raised and their neighborhood is completely changing around them. I think it’s harder for them than it is for me, so…
Part of great acting, I’m assuming, is knowing how to listen and observe. Does living in the city help your craft in any way?
Just ride the train and you can sit and watch characters all day long. I just put on my sunglasses and I watch people. They don’t know I’m staring at them (laughs).
That’s kinda creepy – no I’m kidding…
It’s totally creepy! But it’s great to watch people and watch their behavior and how they interact with each other. Years ago, I used to manage a cigar bar and there’s this one place in the bar where I would sit back and watch people on first dates. I’d watch couples break up. I’d watch just people interacting with each other.
I had an acting teacher said to me that if I really wanted to watch people and be observant, (just) watch film and turn off the sound and watch people and their interactions with each other. It was kind of like that, sitting in my corner and watching people without the volume on.
Would you advice novice actors to go to acting school or take classical training?
I don’t think I’m qualified to answer that question because everyone Is different and has their own path. I, however, went to school and worked my butt off. I think if you have a chance to work on something, you should. If you have a chance to put yourself out there – do it. If you have a chance to work and study, you should absolutely take it. It can’t hurt.
In the following video, Eoin Macken & Jill Flint talk about their innate chemistry on The Night Shift.
Season two of Hemlock Grove is now available on Netflix, as the complex (and currently contentious) relationship between Roman (Bill Skarsgard) and Peter (Landon Liboiron) continues. The first episode has Peter asking Roman for $20,000 to hire an attorney for his currently in jail mother (The Conjuring’s Lili Taylor), but Peter’s request is rebuffed.
As Roman’s thirst for blood continues to grow, his moral compass will continually be challenged. Eating blood sucking leeches can only go so far, and his decision to bite into a few humans is simply an inevitability.
Landon Liboiron & Bill Skarsgard in Hemlock Grove (Netflix, CR: Brian Bowen Smith)
During the interviews, I asked Skarsgard if playing such an intense and emotionally distant character is an all consuming job. “You do carry it with you throughout the entire shoot,” said the actor. “When it was over, it was overwhelming for me. When we wrapped the season, I couldn’t really handle it. I started weeping – it was just one of those cleansing feelings to have a character that’s so intense and also protect that character all the time and vouch for him and understand him. When you do that for five or six months, you don’t have to think about that character anymore.”
Click on the media bar to hear Skarsgard talk about the acting process for Hemlock Grove, after which Landon Liboiron chimes in and brings levity to the occasion with an Inside the Actors Studio reference:
Written and directed by Aaron Katz and Martha Stephens, Land Ho! centers on two sixtysomethings (Paul Eenhoorn, Earl Lynn Nelson) who set off to Iceland for a bit of bonding and unadulterated fun. Whether it’s partying at a Reykjavik nightclub or traversing the country’s primeval terrain, Mitch (Nelson) and Colin (Eenhoorn) are surrounded by beauty.
One of the many impressive facets of Hemlock Grove lies in its unique vision of a morally compromised universe filled with what some may describe as creatures of the night. But monsters, as well as humans, take shape in many different forms and sizes.
My favorite tag line for this year’s Hemlock Grove is that “even demons have demons,” and most of the characters travel down a dark and unforgiving path in season two. Hemlock Grove’s new batch of episodes debuts on Netflix tomorrow (July 11), as Roman (Bill Skarsgard) and Peter’s (Landon Liboiron) mutual dislike of each other continues.
Netflix is one of the leaders in shaping how we digest film and television. The days of running home from work to catch your favorite show are over thanks to DVR and streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. For Eli Roth, the changing landscape on how material is digested was one of his inspirations for shepherding Hemlock Grove’s development.
Madeline Brewer in “Hemlock Grove” (Netflix, CR: Facebook)
“It is the norm to binge watch,” said Roth. “That is how people are getting their shows. In fact, people are so used to watching multiple episodes of shows (that) they are waiting for three Games of Thrones episodes to air so they can watch them all in a row. (With Hemlock Grove), we wanted to make something special. We wanted to make something unique, and the fans really gave us a chance and embraced the show. It was a fantastic hit and we were lucky to get Emmy nominations. And we’re so excited to be back with season two.”
Chic Eglee (Dark Angel, Dexter, Murder One) is the new showrunner this season, which series star Famke Janssen accurately described as a “10 hour movie.” Featuring top notch production design and special effects, the show is also blessed with arresting visual work from cinematographer Fernando Argüelles. Roth also brought in a host of first rate filmmakers (Hesher’s Spencer Sussman and Cube’s Vincenzo Natali are among the players) to infuse their specified aesthetic for this season, giving the narrative an even deeper cinematic the second time around.
I asked Janssen and Roth about why Hemlock Grove doesn’t actually feel like a TV show but instead continues to expand its creative horizons. Click on the media bar below to hear their answer:
Will a rehabbing Olivia (Janssen) get son Roman (Skarsgard) back in her good graces, or is the damage too much to repair? Are you set to binge watch the second season this weekend? Feel free to comment below!!
