Can't Wait: "Thor: The Dark World"

Ummm, this is all you need to know.  "Thor: The Dark World".  And it hits theaters in November 2013.  Yea, pretty excited to see this!  Some of the same cast of characters are, of course, such as: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgard, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Idris Elba...oh man, I can't wait.

Plus, one of the writers for the first Thor film and this film, "Thor: The Dark World"was Don Payne, who I knew back in the days when I worked on "The Simpsons".  He recently passed away and it is a huge loss to the sci-fi/comedy writing world.  So, go see this film as a tribute to Don!

Go See: "The Sapphires"

 

"The Sapphires" was such an incredibly cute story that after seeing it - you immediately want to hit up your nearest karaoke bar and belt out a tune by The Supremes.  This Australian film was directed by Wayne Blair who created an inspiring true story of the real Sapphires, who were the first popular all-female aboriginal group, with the help of writers Tony Briggs (ahem, he's the son of one of the original group members, Laurel Robinson) and Keith Thompson.  

 The real members of the group, The Sapphires

Set during the Vietnam war, these four young girls band together to sing and perform their hearts out to the US troops while being managed by the hilarious irish actor Chris O'Dowd (come on people, I've been telling you to watch the "IT Crowd" for years and now he's a big star and in films like "Bridesmaids").  The lead singer is played by pop star in real life and current mentor on Australia's "The Voice" Jessica Mauboy.  With the rest of the group starring Deborah Mailman, Shari Sebbens and Miranda Tapsell. 

Go see this film - you will laugh, you might shed a tear and you'll feel all good inside after watching it!

Can't Wait: "Only God Forgives"

 

Of course I'm going to see a Ryan Gosling film.  And of course I'm going to see "Only God Forgives" because it was directed by Nicolas Winding Refn (he directed Gosling in "Drive").  Even in the trailer, the music may sound oddly familiar to "Drive" and that's because it's composed by the same dude, the uber talented Cliff Martinez.  

This film was shot in Bangkok with Kristin Scott Thomas starring at Gosling's mother out to seek revenge on her other son's death.  You might also recognize Vithaya Pansringarm as he played the minister in the blockbuster hit, "The Hangover 2".  And this is the debut performance for Thai pop star Yayaying.

The film is slated for a July 19th release in the States.  Yay!

Go See: "42"

Perhaps one of the most ironic things about myself is that I am not a sports fan at all.  I couldn't tell you nor identify any professional players if they were standing next to me and I accept that about myself.  What I can tell you is that I absolutely love sports films.  I have no idea why - maybe it's the suspense and excitement of the snippets that you see in the film or the lead actors who play iconic characters much like this film, "42" which is a biopic about the baseball legend Jackie Robinson.  Sure, I'd heard of the guy and maybe knew a little about his significance as the first african american baseball player but wow, Brian Helgeland (the director) did a superior job of telling a tale showing the raw emotions, the prejudicism and racism of the times and the love of the game as told through the eyes of a little boy to an old MLB executive.

Jackie Robinson was played by a somewhat unknown but not anymore actor Chadwick Boseman.  Let me just say that this is not his first time to the rodeo as this multi-talented actor also directs and writes.  He was in shows such as "Lincoln Heights" and "Persons Unknown".  What were his thoughts on portraying Jackie Robinson? 

"The story is relevant because we still stand on his shoulders. He started something - I would even say maybe he didn't even start it, it started before him. But he carried the torch. And he carried it alone for a period of time before other people could help him." -imdb.com

Harrison Ford was amazing as Branch Rickey, the MLB executive who found and signed Jackie Robinson.  I'm feeling a bit of some nominations in the air...Golden Globes, maybe Oscars.  I'll just say you heard it from me first!  Rachel Robinson (Jackie's wife) was played by newcomer Nicole Beharie (maybe you saw her in "Shame") and there were quite a few actors that popped up that I know you know who they are.  Law & Order alum Christopher Meloni plays Dodgers manager Leo Derocher, Lucas Black plays Pee Wee Reese (he was the kid in "Slingblade" and was also on "Friday Night Lights"), Alan Tudyk who plays the very racist Phillies Manager (I swore he was british as he was in the original "Death at a Funeral" and "A Knight's Tale" but he's a southern boy), and Hamish Linklater ("The New Adventures of the Old Christine"), T.R. Knight ("Grey's Anatomy") and John C. McGinley ("Scrubs"). 

Go see this film, it is by far one of my favorite films this year so far.  The acting is incredible and the story will stir your emotions.

The Real Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey signing his contract

Go See: "The Company You Keep"

I had the privilege of going to a screening of "The Company You Keep" at the Soho House last night.  Quite frankly, that's really the only way to see a film.  Comfy chairs with foot stools, cashmere blankets by The Elder Statesmen, a booze cart and a huge candy buffet.  Yes, yes, and oh yes!

To be honest, I hadn't heard of this film and had no idea what it was all about.  Sometimes that's the best part of watching a film - the element of surprise.  "The Company You Keep" stars Robert Redford, (who also directed), Shia LaBeouf, Julie Christie, Chris Cooper, Stanley Tucci, Nick Nolte, Jackie Evancho (what? 2010 "America's Got Talent" runner-up), Brendan Gleeson, Terrence Howard, Richard Jenkins, Anna Kendrick...oh, and Susan Sarandon.  Are you still with me?  I guess it would be hard to say no to Robert Redford.

This film is based around a former Weather Underground activist who is found out by a local newspaper reporter after having a secret identity for years.  He flees from the FBI and the consistently annoying news reporter who has a knack for following his tracks.  I won't say anymore as I never want to be that spoiler alert girl but let me just say this.  I must not have been paying attention to the opening credits as it wasn't until midway through the film that I had an idea that maybe Robert Redford did indeed direct this film. 

He has a certain style to him that I find similar to Frank Darabont ("The Green Mile", "The Shawshank Redemption") and even throw in a little Ang Lee ("Brokeback Mountain", "Life of Pi") in there.  There is a certain ease in their style, a certain meditative pause that allows specific scenes and actions of the characters to marinate with the viewer.  It's just the right amount of time and then they get you in the end.  Seems very calculated to me - but very effective.  And let's not forget that Redford directed some great dramatic flicks such as "Ordinary People", "A River Runs Through It", "The Horse Whisperer" and "The Legend of Bagger Vance".  Go see this film!  You will love the cast and momentum of this movie.  Enjoy!

"The Company You Keep" hits theaters April 5th.

Jeremy Piven in the PBS show - "Mr. Selfridge"

For those of us who are die-hard "Downton Abbey" fans, we've been wondering how we're ever going to make it to the new season.  With the way it ended and the sudden deaths (near spoiler alert but just catch up on your DVR'ed eps, people!), it's a little hard to recover emotionally.  But now, perhaps our remedy to get us through this hump is the new show on PBS called "Mr. Selfridge" starring Jeremy Piven, which airs this Sunday. 

This character, Harry Selfridge, will be a huge departure from the raging agent Piven played on "Entourage".  In "Mr. Selfridge", he depicts the department store mogul set in the early 1900's, who was deemed to have changed the way women shop. 

In the UK, the show brought in high ratings (averaged 8M viewers during it's three-month run) which is a great sign as it's been ordered for a second series (season as we call in the States). 

From Deadline.com:
"At a screening of the first episode late last year, Piven said playing Selfridge was like 'artistic sorbet.' At a TCA panel in January, he said he felt no competition pressure with Downton. 'I feel like I willed this job to happen because I was such a fan of that show… I think there’s a great deal of camaraderie there.'"

Enjoy!

The 5er: Actor Shannon Komai

She's an actor, dancer, writer and producer and her name is Komai.  Shannon Komai.  As a young girl from a small town in Pennsylvania, Shannon found herself in awe while watching her older sister rehearse for a school's performance of "West Side Story". That was the moment she was bit by the acting bug and since then, she has worked both in front of the camera and behind the camera learning every aspect of the production world.  She most recently had a supporting role in Clint Eastwood's film, "J. Edgar" starring Leonardo DiCaprio as well as playing a red carpet interviewer in "The Muppets."  Learn more about Ms. Shannon as she talks about knowing a thing or two about Hollywood, what makes her laugh like there's no tomorrow and what advice she would give her younger self.


Who or what inspired you to become an actress?  
My two sisters and I were raised by a single mom who worked very hard to support us.  She kept us very active in after-school activities like drama, horseback riding, and chess, while she was at work.  My older sister, Angela would sometimes pick me up from elementary school and take me with her to her drama practice to keep an eye on me after school.  I would sit in the back of the auditorium doing my homework and watch her perform.  I remember she was playing the role of Anita in a production of "West Side Story". I'd watch her doing the "America" number from the musical.  I already thought my big sister was the coolest person in the world and when I saw her perform so powerfully, I wanted to feel that powerful, too. 

As far as professional inspirations, because I grew up singing, dancing and acting in musical theater, I also love triple threats like Dorothy Dandridge, Barbara McNair, Lena Horne, Josephine Baker, and Rita Hayworth.  I'm also really inspired by the work and careers of Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda, Angela Bassett, Penelope Cruz, Marisa Tomei, and Whoopi Goldberg.

Dorothy Dandridge

What challenges as a woman have you had to overcome in the entertainment industry?  
My biggest challenge has been people wanting to pigeon-hole me. People that know me as a dancer are shocked when I can pick up a script and portray a character, do an accent, or sing a song.  Others that know me as a producer find it hard to believe that I can also write comedy and perform live sketch & improv. 

Also, there's the Hollywood game of men dangling a carrot in front of an actress's face. Basically, they'll offer an actress an opportunity when all they really want to do is sleep with her. It's hard to find people with true integrity and morals in this town. NOT impossible, but I am very careful about the projects I choose to be a part of and who I will do business with.  I've been in this game for over ten years, so I'm not the desperate and green actress from Coatesville, Pennsylvania anymore.  Now, I know how to play the game just like the boys and I will check somebody in a quick second if they come at me in a slimy or shady way.

They say everyone has a doppelganger.  Who do you think your celebrity doppelganger would be? 
The celebrity people tell me that I look like almost everyday is Mariah Carey.  When my twin nephews, Ian & Jordan were little and a Mariah Carey music video would come on TV, they would scream out my name.  I do see the resemblance. We're both multi-racial and have some similar features.  I've also gotten Rosie Perez.

What makes you laugh so hard your eyes tear up and you seriously just about pee your pants?  
I love satirical comedy that pushes the envelope. When people imitate others spot on is what gets me.  My cousin, Mark Allen, is one of the funniest people I know. He's an observer and can watch someone for a few minutes and then be able to imitate them, their mannerisms, little nuances in their personality. Whenever he does that, I literally CRY!

If you met yourself as a young teen, what would you tell her, er, you, er, her?  (This feels like a "Back to the Future" moment.)
If I could go back and talk to the younger version of Shannon, I would tell her that life is going to get easier.  I'd tell her to believe in herself, trust her instincts, and don't be afraid to speak her mind.  Life isn't about pleasing everyone else or doing what other people expect of you. It's about staying true to God's purpose for your life.  As long as you're doing that, everything else will fall into place.