Melissa Howland

SIR BEN KINGSLEY Talks THE BOXTROLLS

In celebration of the newly released film THE BOXTROLLS, Sir Ben Kingsley sat down with a small group of press to talk about his voice over work, and his new project LEARNING TO DRIVE. Check it out below!

A family event movie from the creators of “Coraline” and “ParaNorman” that introduces audiences to a new breed of family – The Boxtrolls, a community of quirky, mischievous creatures who have lovingly raised an orphaned human boy named Eggs (voiced by Isaac Hempstead-Wright) in the amazing cavernous home they’ve built beneath the streets of Cheesebridge. When the town’s villain, Archibald Snatcher (Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley), comes up with a plot to get rid of the Boxtrolls, Eggs decides to venture above ground, “into the light,” where he meets and teams up with fabulously feisty Winnie (Elle Fanning). Together, they devise a daring plan to save Eggs’ family.

You haven’t done much voice work before, was that what attracted you to the role? And was it fun playing that kind of character?

SIR BEN KINGSLEY : I haven’t done much of this before and I was sent the most beautiful script which rang true. The honest starting point for a family film I think is a very bold, very mature move — orphans. And they go through a struggle. They fight some very dark forces and they achieve their own light, and their own friendship and their own future. To present this as a family film is very refreshing, because I’m sorry to say that I think family films often wipe off the top two generations of the family and say anyone taller than this table won’t like this movie. It’s stupid, because that’s not a family film. But this is and it will have resonance for all the members of the family that see it. I say it’s rooted in truth because I can tell a good script from a bad. My training in my former years… I had no training, sorry. My former years as an actor were with tremendously good writers, one in particular, and therefore the way that this rang true, the way the patterns of human behavior in terms of loneliness, of longing, of care, of nurturing, of loss, of greed, of power, of indifference, they’re all there on the canvas. They’re all beautifully etched. So it was not a great leap for me to say, “Absolutely, yes,” to the script. Then I saw the drawing of the chap and saw that he was very different from me and therefore my voice would have to come from a different place. I’d have to find a voice that resonated from a very different place and would include all those frailties, those inadequacies, those longings, those addictions, delusions, narcissism, vanity. The guy’s a mess, held together by an absolute determination to be admitted into a club that does not want him. Because it’s so perfectly written, any actor would recognize, “Well, that’s the worst thing to do to that guy.” The worst thing you can do to that guy is to say, “You can’t come in,” because sooner or later, he’ll smash the door down. And he does. He demonizes a whole tribe of people who actually have nurtured and looked after an orphan beautifully, who are creative, inventive, loving, bonded. And they create their own civilization by what upper ground throws away. They never steal. They actually just use what is discarded and they make their world out of it. So given that the character was so beautifully presented to me as a portrait artist, my portrayal involved finding a voice that was completely relaxed, not my own. So I invited the recording studio to build a kind of airplane seat. It took five minutes. They had everything in the studio. It took them five minutes. They had everything there — the reclining chair, something to put my feet on. They were great. Moved the microphone, moved the script panel, and I did the whole thing reclining, lying down. It also helped me not to make physical gestures. When we speak, we tend to augment our language with our mannerisms. If I did that, it would perhaps lessen, shrink, what I was giving the animators. If I had to push something with my physical gesture, it means my voice isn’t doing enough. So I was completely still, which I found very, very freeing, as you say. I didn’t impose many limits on myself other than of course the character’s journey and his narrative function in the piece. Tony was mostly in the studio with me in England, not in America, and he helped me a great deal by letting me know that certain vocal mannerisms that I acquired as the character were great gifts to the animator. He said, “The animators will love that. When you do that, they can do all sorts of extraordinary things with it.” So I played with elongating my vowel sounds. I played with putting the letter ‘H’ where it shouldn’t be in a word to try and sound posh. All those little mannerisms, he encouraged me to really make them part of my bit of the portrait. Then the rest of my portrait, which is unprecedented for me, is to say, “And the other department do my body language.” I’ve never done that before. It’s always been me that I delegated the whole lot, because I had to, to the animators, to the guys who work with these people.

Knowing that, once you saw it, what was your impression and what struck you?

SIR BEN KINGSLEY : They put something together, a speech that Snatcher gives to his goons, to his stooges, about ambition, how in some people, some creatures are of limited ambition and will be locked in their own small ambitions and world and others are capable of great ambition. And it’s actually politically a horrible speech when you examine it. It’s pretty nasty. I enjoyed very free reign, lying down in the studio, letting this voice come out, and I saw this clip. He’s walking down a flight of stairs and they accompanied one of my words with an amazingly narcissistic gesture of brushing back these awful threads of hair that he has hanging down. And I thought, “I have nothing to worry about. Absolutely everything I’m trying to do is there in that puppet.” Extraordinary exercise really.

I found it interesting that the adults had no redeeming qualities whatsoever and that can be the viewpoint of someone who’s five, six, or seven

SIR BEN KINGSLEY : Whether it’s the viewpoint or not, the fact is that if you’re going to offer a story, narrative to the audience about orphans struggling, you have to have a tidal wave against which they have to struggle. It can be indifference. It can be abandonment. It can be incarceration. It can be domineering cruelty. But in the narrative our heroine and hero have to struggle through the darker side of life and I congratulate LAIKA on having the courage to say, “Look boys and girls, it’s not a bowl of cherries.” That is really courageous because I don’t think anything is learned by feel good movies.

Looking at your vast body of work, speaking to the comedic elements of the character.

SIR BEN KINGSLEY : Absurd, really.

(con’t): Do you see elements of Richard III?

SIR BEN KINGSLEY : Absolutely. The wonderful thing about Richard III is in his first soliloquy is in front of the audience and he explains exactly how he’s feeling and how he’s going to behave. He tells them, “Look, I’m mangled and wounded and I’m going to get the crown.” And Snatcher is in a sense, he can’t take rejection. There’s a reason for that, I don’t know the reason. But there’s a reason that he has an utter inability to be rejected. It turns him into a maniac. I saw a splendid version of Richard III ages of ago, and I could see what he was doing, but I could see why. I wasn’t allowed to join into why and really the why in Richard is it hurts to be me. I think there is something about the villains that I’m able to play that isn’t villainous. They’re vulnerable and wounded. I use that with Archibald Snatcher. Richard III and Othello — because he begins the play I’ve just been passed over for promotion and the world will suffer. And it does. At the end of the third act, Othello is responsible for seven deaths.

There’s a theme of transformation and there’s a huge difference between the hero and the villain. The hero just wants to transform into someone who knows who he is and the villain wants to move up the ladder, even though it’s shown very clearly that …

SIR BEN KINGSLEY : He’s allergic to it…

(con’t): And it’s not like kids movies where he’s brought down by the destruction of a machine. He does himself in where he has the choice to turn away. He even seems to know what’s going to happen and he does ti anyway. That’s almost tragic. Did you find that tragic element to it?

SIR BEN KINGSLEY : I totally embraced the tragic element of his demise. He’s arc is doomed because of the way he’s been constructed. The way he has arrived, the way the God’s have made him, fashioned him that way. There is, in the script and in my portrait and hopefully in bigger context of the movie, there is that thread of tragedy, absurdity, danger, redemption, reunification, all the threads. I definitely warmed to the wound that will eventually consume him. Cheese is a great metaphor for success or power and power will absolutely corrupt Snatcher. And he has the choice. He thinks by being empowered that he can conquer the addiction. It happens to other people. It won’t happen to me. Bang!

You’ve got a lot of interesting projects coming up, can you talk about some of the ones you’re most excited for people to know about?

SIR BEN KINGSLEY : Where do I begin [laughs]. LEARNING TO DRIVE, I’m particularly fond of. ROBOT OVERLOARDS, I’m looking forward to that one. That’s going to the London Film Festival. But, LEARNING TO DRIVE coming to Toronto, I’m excited to see, not how it’s received, how it touches people and attracts them.

You come from different cultures. I’m fascinated by different culture. You have families and grandkids… do they all get together. What does it look like at your house over the holidays?

SIR BEN KINGSLEY : It’s very hard for an actor to answer that because an actor, my pattern of life is so random that there are no such things as Holidays with a capitol H because I could be anywhere in the world and my children appreciate this. And as long as we keep in touch by email and telephone, everything is fine. No one ever says, “But it’s family.” No one ever says that. For me, that’s nonsense. Family is family over the internet, over Skype over telephone. Love is love, you don’t actually have to go through a ritual to prove that you love somebody. They all know dad’s very busy and I’ve looked after them well. They’ve all got homes, thanks to good ole dad. They’re happy, safe and loved.

Get social with the Boxtrolls:

https://www.facebook.com/theboxtrolls

http://instagram.com/theboxtrolls#

https://twitter.com/TheBoxtrolls

http://www.theboxtrolls.com/

#TheBoxtrolls

THE BOXTROLLS is in theaters now

HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS Prize Pack Giveaway

Relativity’s upcoming movie, HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS – starring Simon Pegg, Toni Collette, Rosamund Pike, Stellan Skarsgård, Jean Reno and Christopher Plummer – is opening later this month, and to celebrate WAMG is giving away a HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS prize pack. Hurray!

One lucky winner will receive:

$50 in Orbucks (Orbitz Rewards)
“Handy Dandy” travel candy (featured in the movie)
Branded travel journal
$25 Fandango gift card

TO ENTER:

1. YOU MUST BE A U.S. RESIDENT WITH A U.S. SHIPPING ADDRESS. NO P.O. BOXES.

2. PLACE YOUR NAME, A VALID EMAIL, AND ANSWER TO THE QUESTION BELOW IN THE COMMENT SECTION OF THIS POST.

3. What movie makes you happy?

WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN THROUGH A RANDOM DRAWING OF QUALIFYING CONTESTANTS. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PRIZES WILL NOT BE SUBSTITUTED OR EXCHANGED.

Hector (Simon Pegg) is a quirky psychiatrist who has become increasingly tired of his humdrum life. As he tells his girlfriend, Clara (Rosamund Pike), he feels like a fraud: he hasn’t really tasted life, and yet he’s offering advice to patients who are just not getting any happier. So Hector decides to break out of his deluded and routine driven life. Armed with buckets of courage and child-like curiosity, he embarks on a global quest in hopes of uncovering the elusive secret formula for true happiness. And so begins a larger than life adventure with riotously funny results. Based on the world-wide best-selling novel of the same name, Hector and the Search for Happiness is a rich, exhilarating, and hilarious tale from director Peter Chelsom, starring Simon Pegg, Toni Collette, Rosamund Pike, Stellan Skarsgård, Jean Reno and Christopher Plummer.

“We should concern ourselves not so much with the pursuit of happiness, but with the happiness of the pursuit.”Professor Coreman (Christopher Plummer)

Earn and redeem rewards in an instant. Join today at Orbitz.com/rewards and get Instant Vacation Gratification!

Learn more about HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hectorandthesearchforhappiness

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HectorMovie

Instagram: http://instagram.com/hectormovie

HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS opens September 19th in New York and Los Angeles, in limited release on September 26th and expands October 3rd

WAMG Takes A Glimpse Inside The World Of BIG HERO 6

BIG HERO 6, Disney’s all new animated film based off of the comic book series published by Marvel Comics, is set to release on November 7, 2014 but WAMG was lucky enough to get a sneak peek. A few weeks ago, I attended an early press day for the film where a small group of journalists were shown scenes from the film. While there, we also talked with Chris Williams (Director), Don Hall (Director), Jin Kim (Character Design Supervisor), Kyle Odermatt (Visual Effects Supervisor), Lorelay Bove (Visual Development Artist), Mark Henn (Lead 2D Animator), Michael Franceschi (Animation Supervisor), Michael Kaschalk (Head of Effects), Nathan Curtis (Effects Production Supervisor), Nathan Engelhardt (Animation Supervisor), Paul Briggs (Head of Story), Paul Felix (Production Designer), Robert L Baird (Screenplay By), Roy Conli (Producer), Shiyoon Kim (Lead Character Designer) and Zach Parrish (Head of Animation) about their role in bringing the story, characters and world of BIG HERO 6 to life.

From Walt Disney Animation Studios, the team behind “Frozen” and “Wreck-It Ralph,” comes “Big Hero 6,” an action-packed comedy-adventure about the special bond that develops between Baymax (voice of Scott Adsit), a plus-sized inflatable robot, and prodigy Hiro Hamada (voice of Ryan Potter). When a devastating event befalls the city of San Fransokyo and catapults Hiro into the midst of danger, he turns to Baymax and his close friends adrenaline junkie Go Go Tomago (voice of Jamie Chung), neatnik Wasabi (voice of Damon Wayans Jr.), chemistry whiz Honey Lemon (voice of Genesis Rodriguez) and fanboy Fred (voice of T.J. Miller). Determined to uncover the mystery, Hiro transforms his friends into a band of high-tech heroes called “Big Hero 6.

Producer Roy Conli says that family—the kind that you’re born with and the kind you find—is at the core of the movie. “It’s a powerful theme that audiences relate to,” says Conli. “The nuances of the relationships in deeply emotional films like ‘Bambi’ or ‘The Lion King’ are so interesting. There’s something about these stories that can really touch people.”

BIG HERO 6 is based off of the comic book series published by Marvel Comics. When I asked Directors Chris Williams and Don Hall about Marvel’s involvement in the film, Hall said “We call them friends of the court, you know. We got to be pretty good friend with Joe Quesada and Jeph Loeb. Joe is sort of their Chief Creative Officer. And, you know, they came to screenings and they became part of our story trust and after the screenings they would give notes, just like any other story trust. They’d meet with the other directors, and they just kind of came into that group and again, as friends of the court. Nothing was ever directed. Every note, just like all of the notes given here, were given with the best intent.”

BIG HERO 6 focuses around Hiro, a brilliant young inventor with a bit of a slacking problem, and the friendship he develops with Baymax, a plus-sized inflatable robot initially designed as a Personal Healthcare Companion. Hiro stumbles upon Baymax by mistake, and when he discovers that he cannot shake the oversized caregiver, he decides to use him to his advantage. Somewhere along the way the two forge a friendship. (It wouldn’t be a Disney movie without friends!) One thing is for sure… Baymax is certain to steal the hearts of audiences.

To create this lovable, air filled sidekick the team looked at soft robotics. Fun fact: The simplistic design of Baymax’s face was inspired by the bottom of a bell the team saw on a trip to Japan. (You can’t stop staring at his head, can you?)

Disney has always been adamant on doing their homework. While talking to Kyle Odermatt, Michael Kaschalk, and Nathan Curtis about the film’s visual effects, they explained that the microbots in the film were grounded on research as well as the behavior of insects. Curtis explains “There were four components that the director had – that the microbots had to be, and one of those was that they are a robot. We always try to ground everything that we do in research so that it fits into the world that we are creating. So, we did a lot of microbot research – I mean robotic research. We talked to specialists. We also looked at cooperative behavior among insects, and here you see ants that are crawling over other ants that are making themselves into a bridge. We knew that that was a type of behavior that the microbots had to do, and so this was really inspirational footage.”

The movie is set in SanFransokyo, which is a combination of two very popular cities. “I thought about San Francisco,” says Hall, “which is cool, but I thought ‘What if it was San Francisco mashed up with Tokyo.’ It felt more interesting as a setting—more playful and exotic. It was something we could create. And the visual possibilities of those two cities—which are pretty different aesthetically—mashed together felt like a really cool place to set the story.”

Speaking of story, one thing that most people would never guess is that the first screenings of every Disney and/or Pixar movie are a bit painful for those involved. While speaking with Robert Baird and Paul Briggs, the two joked about watching some of our favorite films for the first time during production. Briggs began, “FROZEN was a terrible first screening. I was on it on the first screening, and I was like ‘I do not want to work on that movie. That is such a mess.’ Baird continued, “Trust me. Every movie in Pixar/Disney… disaster first screenings!” Of the 4-5 years spent making BIG HERO 6, 2-3 of those years were devoted entirely to story. “This is a dream come true, working on a comic book / action movie,” Briggs said “but this is so much more than that. This is about family, and this is about the people in your life. I’m proud of it. Honestly, I am.”

The footage screening left me excited for the final film. From the clips I saw, this film is going to be an emotional, funny, action-packed ride. I need more Baymax!

FOR MORE INFO:

Like BIG HERO 6 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyBigHero6

Visit the Website: http://www.disney.com/BigHero6

BIG HERO 6 opens in theaters everywhere on November 7

New Trailer For Mike Pecci’s 12 KILOMETERS

With only 3 days left on kickstarter, Mike Pecci has released a brand new teaser trailer for his upcoming horror film 12 Kilometers.

Director Mike Pecci (Grindhouse Shorts / The Dead Can’t Be Distracted) knows these corridors all too well. While ice skating for the first time earlier this year, Pecci slipped and cracked his skull open, suffering a hematoma and multiple concussions. Five days in intensive care, over two months of recovery time and a flood of painkillers later, a storyline began to emerge in the form of Pecci’s original horror film, “12 Kilometers.”

The strange and creepy footage give us an up-close look at the in-camera creature effects for the film. Beautifully shot blood vessels, and disturbing black oils mixing to create something terrifying! Watch the new trailer then head over to: http://kck.st/1uONYYg You will find all sorts of great videos and incentives including concept art from comic book artist Ben Templesmith.

“12 Kilometers was originally an idea I had for a short four years ago,” says Pecci. I read about this drill team in Russia that had drilled the deepest hole known to man. A Christian media outlet got their hands on the news and claimed that the Russians were lowering microphones into the planet and heard the sounds of hell. Inspired by that, I wrote a short about a drill team that finds an organism at 12KM that can communicate physically and is triggered by sound. It scared the hell out of me as a short, but I wanted it to become something bigger, so I shelved it. The adventure I went on while recovering from my head injury gave me the connective tissue I needed to create a world under the influence of this creature. A world after 12 Kilometers!”

This will mark the first major film release from McFarland & Pecci, a company who has been creating Emmy nominated and award winning music videos and short film for over 9 years.

“I want to create a proof of concept explaining where this creature comes from and how it works. As I was writing the feature, the Russian backstory slowly got pushed out for time. It’s such a fun and exciting original that I thought, ‘Let’s make it a 20 minute short. Let’s show folks what we can do! Then let’s make the feature!’”

There are a few exciting aspects of the film. First, it takes place in 1980’s Russia, so the look and feel will be that of an old John Carpenter film. Second, Pecci is determined to do all his effects practically on set and in front of a camera. He just started shooting the creature effects with Micro Photographer and biochemist, Linden GeldHill (http://www.lindengledhill.com/).

“Linden’s work is amazing. I found it while researching different options for our creature. Linden has the ability to create the setting for unseen universes and never-before-filmed images on a stage the size of a dime. It’s really cool stuff. Really scary!”

Most of the film is self-financed, but Pecci is reaching out to his fans for some completion funds. “We start principal photography in September, and I just need a little bit more for some expensive gear and props. I also want to get the audience involved early-on, because feedback is an important part of our process. We worked hard on the incentives for our kickstarter to offer some really cool incentives and collectables(original concept art from comic book artists Orlando Baez & Ben Templesmith). Supporters should get something more for their donation that just a copy of the film.”

To find out more information check out the 12 KILOMETERS Kickstarter Page : http://kck.st/1uONYYg

THE NOVEMBER MAN Prize Pack Giveaway

Relativity’s upcoming movie, THE NOVEMBER MAN – an espionage thriller starring Pierce Brosnan, Luke Bracey and Olga Kurylenko, hits theaters August 27th, and to celebrate WAMG is giving away a THE NOVEMBER MAN prize pack. Hooray!

One lucky winner will receive:

a Branded t-shirt
a Branded water bottle
a Branded passport case
a Mini Poster
and a $25 Fandango Gift Card

TO ENTER:

1. YOU MUST BE A U.S. RESIDENT WITH A U.S. SHIPPING ADDRESS. NO P.O. BOXES.

2. PLACE YOUR NAME, A VALID EMAIL, AND ANSWER TO THE QUESTION BELOW IN THE COMMENT SECTION OF THIS POST.

3. What is your favorite espionage film?

WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN THROUGH A RANDOM DRAWING OF QUALIFYING CONTESTANTS. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PRIZES WILL NOT BE SUBSTITUTED OR EXCHANGED.

Code named ‘The November Man’; Peter Devereaux (Pierce Brosnan) is an extremely dangerous and highly trained ex-CIA agent, who is lured out of quiet retirement on a very personal mission. He must protect valuable witness, Alice Fournier, (Olga Kurylenko) who could expose the truth behind a decades old conspiracy. He soon discovers this assignment makes him a target of his former friend and CIA protégé David Mason (Luke Bracey). With growing suspicions of a mole in the agency, there is no one Devereaux can trust, no rules and no holds barred.

With a screenplay by Michael Finch & Karl Gajdusek based on Bill Granger’s novel “There are No Spies” from the bestsellingNovember Man book series, THE NOVEMBER MAN is the ultimate cat and mouse game set in the world of international espionage. Directed by Roger Donaldson (The Bank Job, No Way Out, Thirteen Days), the film is produced by Beau St. Clair of Irish DreamTime and Sriram Das of Das Films.

For More Info:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NovemberManFilm

Twitter: @TheNovemberMan

Instagram: @NovemberManFilm

THE NOVEMBER MAN hits theaters August 27

New THE DEATH OF “SUPERMAN LIVES”; WHAT HAPPENED? Trailer

Jon Schnepp released the first look of the full Trailer for his feature film documentary THE DEATH OF “SUPERMAN LIVES”; WHAT HAPPENED? at the San Diego Comic Con on July 24, 2014. This documentary is about delving into the creative process of the proposed 1998 “Superman Lives” feature film, which was to be directed by Tim Burton, written by Kevin Smith, and star Nicolas Cage as Superman. This never made film would have been the most original, strangest, and cosmic Superman ever made. Since the release of the documentary’s Trailer, approximately 1.4 million viewers have watched it on You Tube. Jon Schnepp’s crowdfunding campaign via www.supportsupermanlives.com has now raised 95% of the funds needed for the postproduction and finishing phase of the feature film documentary, with approximately fifteen days to go in the campaign.

CHECK OUT THE ALL NEW TRAILER HERE :

Newsweek recently featured the documentary in an article by Paula Mejia entitled “Why Did Nicolas Cage’s ‘Superman’ Film Die?”As Mejia writes, “… if Schnepp’s documentary becomes a reality, audiences can now understand the mysteries behind the demise of SUPERMAN LIVES.

“I’m so proud to be finally able to share some of the amazing interviews and incredible discoveries that I’ve found while making this feature film documentary.”, says Schnepp “I’m looking forward to finishing this unique yet expansive journey into the making of a movie that was never made.”

If you’d like to help make this film a reality visit: www.supportsupermanlives.com

WAMG At The SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR Press Conference (VIDEO)

Co-directors Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez reunite to bring Miller’s visually stunning “Sin City” graphic novels back to the screen in 3D in FRANK MILLER’S SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR. Recently, WAMG sat down with Jessica Alba, Josh Brolin, Eva Green, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Directors Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, along with other members of the press, at the films LA Press Conference. Check it out below.

In a town where justice doesn’t prevail, the desperate want vengeance and ruthless murderers find themselves with vigilantes on their heels. Their paths cross when they converge on Sin City’s famous Kadie’s Club Pecos. The film opens with fan-favorite “Just Another Saturday Night,” when Marv (Mickey Rourke) finds himself in the center of carnage as he tries to remember the events leading up to it. “The Long, Bad Night” tells the tale of Johnny, a cocky young gambler (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) on a winning streak taking his chances with the biggest bastard of them all, Senator Roark (Powers Boothe). The central story, Miller’s critically acclaimed “A Dame To Kill For,” has Dwight McCarthy (Josh Brolin) facing his final confrontation with the woman of his dreams and his nightmares, Ava Lord (Eva Green). “Nancy’s Last Dance” follows Nancy Callahan (Jessica Alba) in the wake of John Hartigan’s (Bruce Willis) death. On a downward spiral filled with grief, she will stop at nothing to get revenge.

FOR MORE INFO:

WEBSITE: http://sincity-2.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SinCityMovie

SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR is in theaters Friday

WAMG At THE GIVER Press Day

The all new film THE GIVER, based on the young adult novel of the same name, hit theaters today. In celebration of the film WAMG sat down with Jeff Bridges, Katie Holmes, Brenton Thwaites, Odeya Rush, Cameron Monaghan, Phillip Noyce, Lois Lowry, Robert B. Weide, Michael Mitnick and Nikki Silver along with other members of the press at the LA press day. Check some of the highlights out below!

The haunting story of THE GIVER centers on Jonas (Brenton Thwaites), a young man who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Yet as he begins to spend time with The Giver (Jeff Bridges), who is the sole keeper of all the community’s memories, Jonas quickly begins to discover the dark and deadly truths of his community’s secret past. With this newfound power of knowledge, he realizes that the stakes are higher than imagined – a matter of life and death for himself and those he loves most. At extreme odds, Jonas knows that he must escape their world to protect them all – a challenge that no one has ever succeeded at before. THE GIVER is based on Lois Lowry’s beloved young adult novel of the same name, which was the winner the 1994 Newbery Medal and has sold over 10 million copies worldwide.

Jeff, is it true that you originally wanted to make this film with your father?

Jeff Bridges : I originally wanted to direct my father, Lloyd Bridges in the film and I wanted to make a movie that my kids could see. They were all young kids at the time. And I was looking at a catalogue of children’s books and came across this wonderful cover of this grizzled old guy. And I thought, “Oh this is great.” I read it and I was knocked out on kid book level but also as an adult. I thought, “Oh this is a movie I’d love to see.” It turns, out, that Lois took that photograph of the guy on the cover.

Who was the guy?

Lois Lowry : He was a Swedish painter named Carl Gustaf Nelson and at the time I was a photo journalist.

Jeff, how does it feel to have been working on this project long enough to play The Giver?

Jeff Bridges : I finally qualified as the grizzled guy. It was funny. It felt just wonderful. So much of the success of film depends on the cast – not only the cast of actors but who is going to be the director, who is going to be the cinematographer and all of those slots were just filled in such a beautiful way. The movie kind transcended my expectations for it.

For the actors, what attracted you to this role? And was it intimidating working with actors like Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep?

Brenton Thwaites : Jeff was great to work with. I had a dream of a time. When you get this gift, this opportunity, you kind of have to pinch yourself in the morning before you go to work and it was like that everyday. It was great. And to work with a fellow Aussie was pretty cool too!

Katie Holmes : I was very excited to be a part of this film. The book is so beloved and to be a part of this project with Jeff and Meryl Streep and all of these amazing actors was pure delight. And to work with Phillip was wonderful. It was interesting to play this character because this world – there is no emotion, there is no pain. And so for an actor, you’re always trying to emote but you can’t so it was interesting. And playing Brenton’s mom and having him have these experiences that were so foreign to my character, and also being the guardian of the rules of this world was really interesting and quite a challenge. But mostly it was just an honor to be a part of something that I think is a very valuable piece of work.

Odeya Rush : It’s such an honor to work with these great actors. Really when you meet them, they are very relaxed and warm and make you feel very comfortable because it can be really intimidating. And we had this kind of warm environment on set too. My character takes such a journey too. I’m not completely The Giver in Jonas; I’m not fully feeling things and I’m not getting memories. But still I start off really naive and happy and thinking that I’m in a good place and once I stop taking my injections, it’s kind of a state of confusion and I don’t really understand what I’m feeling. They are trying to explain it to me and towards the end it kind of goes to anger because I realize the cruelty behind this community. I think that arc was very interesting and it’s such a great story. So I’m really fortunate.

Cameron Monaghan : Well I mean when I got the audition for this movie, they said that this is a book that is taught in all these schools produced by the Weinstein Company with this great director and these fantastic actors. So kicking and screaming I was dragged over to go act in a Meryl Streep movie I guess. Obviously having the chance to work with Jeff, with Katie, and to be able to tell this really amazing story – I read the book when I was auditioning and it’s a very beautiful story about humanity and what it means to be human and loved and all these great things. It was just something I wanted to be a part of.

One of the ideas in the film is that people in positions of power can be wrong sometimes – including your parents. As a parent of a small child, how do you navigate that in terms of how much do you encourage children of that age to question authority?

Katie Holmes : Well, I think that one of the draws of doing this project was this book. And the reason why I think it’s so beloved by so many and why schools have it on their reading list is because of these powerful themes. Having children really decide for themselves what they think is important and that free choice. So I’m very happy to be a part of the film adaptation of this.

Katie, what was it like for you to play this tough mother – so into maintaining the law that it was kind of at the expense of your own child? You’re kind of like the fun killer of the family: “No you can’t take this baby home. You can’t have emotions!”

Katie Holmes : [Laughs]. I really enjoyed playing this character. You know I think that for me what I loved about this character is she is trying so hard to maintain this order. This is what she knows. Jonas is going through something that she doesn’t know and it’s very threatening and it fills her with a great deal of conflict. So I think it’s always interesting to play people that have a lot going on.

Brenton, what was were some of of your first experiences on the set? And how did you get the baby to cry?

Brenton Thwaites : I think as soon as the baby saw Phillip’s face it just started crying. So did I [Laughs]! The honest truth is, as the start of the film when I first met these two kids – James and Alex, they would put the babies in my arms and they would being crying instantly. So it began, put the baby in my arms if you want to get it to cry. But over the months, you develop a really strong bong with these kids. So in a way, it was hard to see them go. it was hard to let go.

First experiences on set? I guess every movie has it’s uniqueness. That’s the wonderful thing about being an actor; every job is kind of a different thing. Every movie is it’s own wild beast and you have to roll with it. I think that’s one of the things that I learned – especially with Jeff who I did most of my scenes with – was you just have to role with it and do the best you can. And try and enjoy it along the way.

Jeff, when young actors work with you, do they ask you for advice? And do you offer it?

Jeff Bridges : We just jam you know? It’s a musical expression but it also works for movies too. Brenton plays guitar. We did a lot of jamming. But having fun – my add Lloyd Bridges taught me all the basics of acting. The main thing I learned from my dad was really just in observing how he worked and the joy that he had in doing what he loved doing. I got to work with him twice as an adult and for both those movies, whenever my dad came on the set, that joyful vibe came with him. It’s contagious and it runs through the whole company. Everybody goes, “Yeah. This is kind of fun. This is kind of advanced pretend.” So we had little games we used to do and play.

Did you play ‘pass the pig’ on the set?

Jeff Bridges : We did. Brenton and I had a game that we used to play that was kind of fun. We had all those books and we would arbitrarily pick out a book and open it to a page and run our finger down the page, find a sentence, and that would be our call on for the day – whatever that said. It would often be pretty mystical and perceptive and would be our guide for the day. Real books.

Am I the only one that doesn’t know what ‘pass the pig’ is?

Jeff Bridges : It’s kind of like craps for kids. You roll these little plastic pigs. It’s a great game actually.

And apparently this has been a tradition of yours on all the movie sets…

Jeff Bridges : That’s right. The guys that make those pigs; they gave me a golden set of them.

Nikki Silver : We filmed in South Africa and it was a really magical set. Cameron, Brenton, they all play guitar. And Taylor came and Taylor played guitar and Odeya would sing and Michael (Mitnick. Screenwriter) would play piano. We were in a really interesting part of the world doing something really special so it was a pretty amazing time.

I heard that you actually shot a version of this film with your dad as The Giver?

Jeff Bridges : That’s true.

Any way that could be on the DVD?

Jeff Bridges : Beau’s son, Casey Bridges was our DP on that session at our parent’s house. We read the whole book. Bud Cort was the narrator. It was like 18 years ago. Bud read all the narration in the book. Dylan who now works for Universal as a publicist plays Jonas. Casey tells me he’s got it so hopefully it will be something on the DVD.

Jeff, do you want to keep up with the acting or would you eventually like to retire and go fish or something?

Jeff Bridges : Yeah those are two streams that you articulated exactly. I’m 64 now so I’m moving along pretty good. I’ve only got a few – there’s a limited time. I got a lot to do! I got a lot of ideas, a lot of things I want to realize. And that creates a certain amount of pressure. It’s like Walt Disney – Jiminy Cricket – you’ve got a good angel. I remember Goofy or Pluto – these are both actually angels. One guy is saying, “You got to get to work. You’ve got a lot of stuff to do.” And the other guy is saying to me, “Come on Jeff. Just relax. Do you want your whole life to be a giant homework assignment?” So it’s balancing those two things. It drives my wife crazy. But this is a one of a kind experience for me. I’ve never had that kind of passion or intention for a project – holding it for 18 years so It’s very gratifying to see it come to fruition.

Jeff, working with Taylor Swift, what kind of actress is she?

Jeff Bridges : Taylor gosh. She was so remarkable. She flew in. I think her first day of work was right on the heels of arriving in Cape Town and certainly exhausted. I had experienced that myself. But she was such a pro and so up for being involved and playing. I hope she continues the acting because I think she’s very talented in addition to being a great songwriter and performer. She was just wonderful. And I believe she was Harvey’s [Weinstein]’s idea. He said, “You’re being taught piano. Who would be really great for that part?” Taylor came to his mind and I’m so glad she stepped on board. She had read the book I believe and was a big fan of that. She’s terrific.

THE GIVER is in theaters now

THE EXPENDABLES 3 – The Review

I really wanted to like THE EXPENDABLES 3 but for them… 3 is not a magic number.

In THE EXPENDABLES 3, Barney Ross(Sylvester Stallone) is back, along with his good pal Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), Gunner Jensen (Dolph Lungren), Yin Yang (Jet Li), and Hale Caesar (Terry Crews), along with some new pals to take on former Expendable Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson), who has traded in his title and became an arms dealer. After almost being killed by his pal Barney before, Stonebanks has made it his mission put to end The Expendables, and Barney is prepared. He beefs up his gang of misfits with new members, and gives their old-school style a reboot. Together, the team must find Stonebanks before he finds them! Despite uniting some of the biggest stars of the past few decades, the first warning sign should have been the PG-13 rating. This film feels extremely tame and boring compared to the prior two films. Sure, there is a ton of action but we’ve seen that already. The first film was a refreshing action piece that I had been craving since new flicks seem to shy away from mortal, non-superhero or monster action lately. THE EXPENDABLES 2 had me clapping and jumping out of my chair. It was funny, full of action, and in my opinion, trumped the first film. Maybe I was expecting too much… or maybe this film tried to ride coattails of it’s incredible all-star cast rather than developing the story more. Let me rephrase that. It’s the latter.

I have no problem with the cheesy acting in this film. In fact, it is one of the reasons that I love the first two movies. Action films in the 80’s and 90’s had an incredible balance of awesome, butt-kicking scenes and bad one-liners that made us laugh, and stuck in our heads. They were nice throwbacks to the past. They got away with that in two films, but in this installment director Patrick Hughes didn’t quite nail the throwback meets funny approach. I get that parts of the film are parodies of the older stars and their old films, but it feels played out now. Give me something new.

Because of the throwback to the older action film styles, I’m perfectly fine with the acting in this film. Some of it goes cheesy and campy… which is everything I want and expect from an action film. Having said that, I was not ready for a young Expendables team. Part of The Expendables appeal is that ‘old guys still kicking butt’ attitude. They’re jaded. They’ve been doing this a long time. The new breed of actors and professional fighters that they brought in haven’t earned their stripes yet, so the whole thing felt forced and awkward. Kellan Lutz was the only one that seemed to fit in a bit with the other guys. He hasn’t earned the Expendables status yet, but he felt the most natural to me. Either way, this cast is too big to give everyone the adequate screen time that they deserve. I’d rather have a smaller cast that I can focus on.

Fans of the film will still enjoy seeing their favorite stars on-screen together. There are still some kick-ass action sequences, but with less blood. For me, that sucks. If you are going to go for a combo of the last two films, you can’t say “Yeah, but with less blood.” In what world does that make sense? Patrick Hughes also made the choice to shoot some close-ups in this film that were less than flattering to the aging stars. The guys still look great but maybe they should have backed up a skosh. Sadly, THE EXPENDABLES 3 is nothing new. There are some laughs, and some good action but not enough to make the film stand out.

OVERALL RATING : 2.5 out of 5 stars

For more info:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theexpendablesmovie

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Expendables3

THE EXPENDABLES 3 is in theaters now

If you want

KINGSMAN : THE SECRET SERVICE Press Conference – COMIC-CON 2014

Press members at the KINGSMAN : THE SECRET SERVICE press conference during San Diego Comic-Con 2014 learned a valuable lesson – Turn your phone off or Samuel L. Jackson will answer it!

That’s right. During the 15 minute press conference Samuel L. Jackson answered someones ringing telephone, and toyed with the person on the other end. Jackson was there, along with Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Sophie Cookson, Sofia Boutella and Co-Creators Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons to talk about the upcoming film, slated to release October 24, 2014. Check it out below.

Based upon the acclaimed comic book and directed by Matthew Vaughn (Kick Ass, X-Men First Class), Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency’s ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.

Author: Melissa Howland