The Scorecard Review

I caught up with Jaime Paglia in the only place possible in Los Angeles … from his car.

The husband and father of two spoke with me about his other love, “Eureka.” The Sci-Fi hit has become a centerpiece for the SCI FI channel. While Paglia navigated the unmoving streets of L.A. we spoke about the show, the strike and I even quizzed him a little to see if he is the all-knowing, all-powerful mind of everything “Eureka.”

For those that aren’t fans of “Eureka” yet, what’s the show about and how do they get caught up?

It’s small town, big secret. To me it’s a blend of “Northern Exposure” with a little bit of “X-Files” or “Twin Peaks” tossed in. A small town sheriff is in charge of a town that looks ... Continue Reading

Taraji P. Henson conquered fear a long time ago.

Good thing, too.

Years ago, when she was fresh out of high school, the 38-year-old Washington, D.C. native almost let her fear stand in the way her dreams of leaving her mark on the acting world. It took failure in a career she hated to make her reach for success in the one she wanted.

Today, Henson has it all figured out. In a lavish suite high in Chicago’s new Trump Tower, she’s deep in her promotional schedule for the newest and most-high profile film of her career—The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which also stars a chronologically challenged Brad Pitt—but she’s taking it like a pro. Her look is polished and sophisticated, her posture upright and feminine, and her answers delivered with the ... Continue Reading

Darren Aronofsky reminds me of Egon from The Ghostbusters. This is not a slight. He’s an engaging man whose lack of pretension is as much of a relief as it is an underrated character trait—especially for a critically acclaimed director of his stature.

Throughout our roundtable interview the Brooklyn native poked fun at us for never seeing Angel Heart [Mickey Rourke’s supposed 1980s masterpiece], apologized for a nagging sneeze-attack, and sized up our knowledge of the Hip Hop culture his hometown is famous for.

For a guy who has just made what’s certain to be an Oscar-contending Indie-juggernaut, Aronofsky didn’t seem like an elitist having made Requiem for a Dream, π, or The Fountain. In reality, he seemed to have much in common with the character Harold Ramis craftily displayed on ... Continue Reading

Nothing adds to the holiday’s commercial cheer like a good Christmas movie. A story about a Puerto Rican family coming together for Christmas, Nothing Like The Holidays is a warm film full of, what Freddy Rodriguez has called himself, an “all-star” cast. From Alfredo Molina to John Leguizamo, or Elisabeth Pena to Debra Messing, the family’s all here in a film guaranteed to add a little spice to a holiday experience at the multiplex.

Three stars from the film, Freddy Rodriguez (who also serves as an executive producer), Elisabeth Pena, and Luis Guzman came to Chicago for a red-carpet premiere at the city’s treasured Music Box theatre. Joined by another reporter, I sat down at a conference table at Chicago’s Four Seasons Hotel to understand why there really is Nothing Like ... Continue Reading

And along comes Burn-E … the one being who’s life is not charmed my Wall-E.

I sat down with Angus MacLane at the Westin Hotel in downtown Portland. He’s the directing animator on Wall-E and directed the original short Burn-E which is included on the Wall-E DVD.

He’s also worked on Geri’s Game, A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., and Finding Nemo. So yes, he is Pixar.

For those that don’t understand animation film making, what does a director animator do?
The director directs everybody, the supervising animators help organize the animation department, and interface with the producer, director and they make artistic calls. The directing animator is more downward facing and helps on the ground the animators to get their work done and facilitate the consistency. They make sure the characters ... Continue Reading

The mastermind behind films like Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, the underrated Sunshine, and the newest, Slumdog Millionaire, Danny Boyle introduces himself with a big genuine smile and a firm handshake. When he starts talking, (immediately, about his take on British toilet humor), he has the intrigue and charm reminiscent of a nice chap at the pub who loves to tell stories. In a cozy room at Chicago’s wonderful Hotel Sax, Boyle discussed with great enthusiasm his latest and possibly best achievement, Slumdog Millionaire.

The film is a unique take on the concept of the underdog that, with amazing visuals and storytelling, catapults us headfirst into the life on the streets of Mumbai, India. Slumdog focuses on a young man named Jamal, whose life story is incidentally told through the questions he ... Continue Reading

Charles Burns isn’t about reinvention. But he is about taking risks.

The 55-year-old Seattle native is known all over the world for his award-winning and ground-breaking graphic novels, comic series and collected works like Black Hole and El Borbah. His work has earned a cult following for its dark, distinctive themes, and Burns himself is one of the most respected cartoonists of his generation.

His first foray into film comes in the form of Fear(s) of the Dark, a French animated import that contains sequences written, illustrated and directed by Burns. Not surprisingly, these moments of black-and-white creepiness aren’t a far cry from images found in his extensive array of published work.

As he enters a brand new form of storytelling, Burns says he thinks his film’s fresh take on the animation genre ... Continue Reading

Lance Hammer’s Ballast is a docile film that has made quite a name for itself in the festival circuit. His first film uses the Mississippi Delta to explore an “underlying sadness,” as he calls it, involving three human beings who are affected by a suicide.

The subtle and moving film won two awards at the Sundance Film Festival, and is currently nominated four times for the Gotham Independent Film Awards.

It was an honor to discuss the film and the general process of filmmaking with Hammer in a cozy conference room on Michigan Avenue.

Though he was not particularly enthusiastic about his days working on Joel Schumacher’s Batman movies, he had to discuss involving making films that are true to one’s vision. If you’re a fan of films that tell so ... Continue Reading

Stefan Forbes is a courageous documentarian that says what he believes and believes what he says. In his latest effort, Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story he sheds a microscopic light over the life of the Republican Party’s last rock star, Lee Atwater.

While working on both the Reagan and Bush (the first one) campaigns, Atwater found ways to persuade an impressionable American public by using tactically fabricated realities to sway their vote. Though his methods were hardly admirable, they were powerful in the sense that the fables he concocted were not only believed by Americans, but completely accepted on a national level.

Boogie Man reveals the web of lies surrounding Atwater’s systematic stranglehold on Washington for more than a decade, right up to his shocking demise. Forbes provides us with a ... Continue Reading

Gavin O’Connor is hardly as exhausted as I anticipate. Just as I’m being walked upstairs to talk to the critically acclaimed director, I’m told this is his last interview of the day.

Not a good thing.

Despite the fear that O’Connor may be spent, I actually find him to be an engaging conversationalist, whose passion for his latest film [Pride and Glory, out tomorrow] is rivaled only by his daughter’s passion for Disney Music.

As we talk, it seems O’Connor is well prepared for the onslaught of attention he’s sure to get once Pride & Glory hits the theaters.

———–

Do you mind if I ask you some “ice breaker” questions so as not to lull you to sleep?

Not at all.

Okay, great. What’s dominating your ipod at the moment?

You now what’s dominating my iPod? ... Continue Reading

If Clark Duke isn’t on your radar yet, just wait a year or so.

The up-and-coming actor/writer, who helped launch his career with the self-produced web series “Clark and Michael” with best friend Michael Cera, is starring in the new teen road trip flick Sex Drive. He’s also set to star in A Thousand Words next year alongside Eddie Murphy. In fact, at just 23, Duke has a long list of TV credits behind him and shows no signs of slowing down.

But when I got a a chance to speak with the actor about his new film and his plans for the future, he led me to believe his career may be headed in a different direction in the years to come.

Which kind of work do you prefer, Clark and Michael ... Continue Reading

Neil Burger is calm. As he stretches himself across a couch likely more expensive than anything I will ever own, his demeanor forces me to relax. I like him immediately. After slinging a slew of random inquisitions at him, it’s easy to read he’s willing to talk about more than whether or not his latest film The Lucky Ones should be looked at just another cinematic depiction of a country at war.

“You know our movie’s not a ‘war’ movie. It’s really about American now. It’s a road-trip movie.”

Though he’s not protectively assertive in his insistence that his film is largely an observational piece about America, it’s easy to see he says what he means.

Burger continues, “I think the movie is like a snapshot of the country. In a way, it’s… ... Continue Reading

American the Beautiful is a documentary by Daryl Roberts that focuses on the body image of women and explores the question of whether America has an unhealthy obsession with beauty. The quick answer is of course, yes, but Roberts gives specific examples and interviews a wide variety of people to clearly show the problem.

I sat down with Roberts at the Avalon Hotel in Portland and spoke about body image (obviously), the 12-year-old model showcased in the film, and any solutions to these issues.

Early on in the film, you spoke about the girl that got away … Was this whole film a love letter to this girl?
No, as a matter of fact, I went out of my way to make sure she never sees it. It’s embarrassing. I would never want her to see that part of the documentary.

It’s rated R? Why?
Eve Ensler said, “Get a bigger dick,” right in the middle of the film and they gave me an R for it.
Come on … that’s it?
They hit independents hard. If it was a studio film it would have been as PG as PG gets. It was just rated in Canada and they gave us a PG and said it was unbelievable that they gave us an R. ... Continue Reading

Brandon T. Jackson plays Alpa Chino in the blockbuster comedy Tropic Thunder. Jackson costars with comedians Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Danny R. McBride. But people will be talking most about Robert Downey Jr.’s Kirk Lazarus who is black faced throughout the film.

I had a chance to talk to Jackson about the role, what it was like on the set and also as the film’s most prominent black actor, what he thought of Downey’s performance. And just so you know, the T. stands for Timothy.

What did you bring to the role Alpa Chino that wasn’t in the script?

I brought pretty much the whole energy in the beginning, where you see all the Bootie Sweat (Alpa’s energy drink). I took the rapper over the top and so ridiculous, but then developed him in the jungle where he’s in the situation with Robert being a black face and he’s just fed up. ... Continue Reading

This Garden Party is all about marijuana, young sex, music and most importantly, Los Angeles.

Writer/director Jason Freeland has crafted an intertwining tale of young people in L.A. looking to break through, escape, or just get laid.

I sat down for an interview with Freeland at the Hotel Monaco in Portland and spoke about the scene (Los Angeles and Hollywood) …

How did you get your start?
I had made short films. We actually did a short film with James Gandolfini, he was going to be the star of Brown’s Requiem (Freeland’s 1998 debut), but then the money fell out. I consider myself more of a director. If I wasn’t pursuing directing, I don’t know if I would pursue movie making. That’s my passion. It’s the ultimate challenge, putting everything together. ... Continue Reading

Because of Morgan Spurlock’s film “Super Size Me” (and my wife), I’m off fast food almost entirely. Now comes his new film “Where in the World is Osama bin Laden?” It’s the story of a documentarian attempting to find the most notorious terrorist in the eyes of the U.S. government.

Considering you haven’t read any headlines about bin Laden being interviewed, or Spurlock collecting the $25 million reward, you can guess what happened. But Spurlock does give insight into how people from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Eygpt and Israel view Americans and what binds us all together.

I sat down with Spurlock and asked him if he was the skinny Michael Moore… ... Continue Reading

Doug Benson had an idea. For a man who smokes pot, that’s nothing new. But he did something unique for a marijuana smoker… he followed through on that idea.

“Super High Me” is a documentary/comedy inspired by Morgan Spurlock’s “Super Size Me” with one very big twist.

Benson smokes pot for 30 days straight to see what will happen. Morning, noon and night, Benson smokes. But first he goes completely sober (alcohol and pot) for a month and takes lung capacity tests, a physical and the SATs, which he then repeats during his pot month.

I first interviewed Benson at SXSW where his film made its premiere. But then everything was stolen (notes, recorder, computer). Benson was cool enough to do the whole thing all over again… ... Continue Reading

Sean Faris, star of the new mixed martial arts (MMA) flick Never Back Down might be a new face in Hollywood, but the 25-year-old got a jump on acting when he was just a kid.

The Cleveland native, who bears a striking resemblance to Tom Cruise, used to tell people the Top Gun star was his dad.

But these days, Faris is making a name for himself.

Jeff Bayer talked with Faris about the Hollywood scene, Karate Kid and whipping himself into shape for his new film.

When you auditioned for the role of Jake Tyler, did you have to turn it on athletically?
I had to do a fight test… I wasn’t much of a kicker at all, but they saw enough to know that with the training I would be fine. ... Continue Reading

John Lehr would like to thank you and make sure you come again. The creator and star of “10 Items or Less,” the TBS sitcom about a local grocery store, is beginning the second season of the show. The comedy is almost all improv with no character dialogue written beforehand. Lehr has a history of TV — and film and stage, for that matter — and spent time in Chicago, attending Northwestern and performing improv.

His wife, author Jennifer Lehr of “Ill-equipped for a Life of Sex: A Memoir,” is pregnant with their second child, and though he loves parenthood, Lehr vows his resolution this year “is to not have any more children. I’m getting it cut. Whatever it takes, I’m done.” ... Continue Reading

The title of her new film might be “The Savages,” but Laura Linney proved quite the opposite. The actress co-stars with Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman in a film about two siblings who suddenly getting yanked out of their self-obsessed lives to deal with a an ailing father now entering a nursing home.

Linney has been nominated for two Academy Awards, and her role in “The Savages” could be a third, but her name still isn’t immediately recognizable. She’s able to dive into characters in films such as “The Squid and the Whale,” “Kinsey,” and “Love Actually.” And beyond all of that, she complimented me about the questions I asked, and I decided she doesn’t do that to everyone … right? ... Continue Reading

The older brother in “Goonies” is probably the most popular role Josh Brolin has ever played. After more than 20 years as an actor on stage and the big screen, that might be changing. Brolin starred in “Grindhouse,” “American Gangster,” “Into the Valley of Elah,” and his biggest role of the year in the Coen brothers’ “No Country for Old Men.”

Before we sat down to begin the interview, Brolin looked out the window and said, “ I actually slept well for the first time in about a year last night.” It’s easy to understand why, considering he was getting roles in films like “Into the Blue” and now he’s working with Denzel Washington, Tommy Lee Jones and Russell Crowe. And if you’re curious, even though he looks like a black… ... Continue Reading

“The Darjeeling Limited” is about three American brothers who haven’t seen each other in a year. They reunite in India on a train ride aboard the Darjeeling Limited, which they hope will lead to a spiritual journey and once again being a close family. But with any Wes Anderson film, there is much more going on. Typically, his movies such as “The Royal Tenenbaums” and “Rushmore” get better with repeat viewings, so you might just want to consider a second sit-through.

I sat down with director Anderson and star Jason Schwartzman at the Drake Hotel. “Rushmore” is one of my favorite films of all-time, so after a quick compliment, we talked about traveling to India, Schwartzman being barefoot in the film, and Anderson’s secret film with Noah Baumbach. ... Continue Reading

“Into the Wild” opens the same weekend I get married. It’s a story about running away from society with no plan, no money and no family contact and I absolutely loved it. Please keep in mind that I have no plans in following Christopher McCandless’s footsteps, played perfectly by Emile Hirsch, nor am I worried about entering into marriage with the woman I love. I just think it’s one of those funny coincidences that should be noticed and appreciated. I swear.

I sat down with Hirsch, the 22-year-old who’s best known for starring in “Lords of Dogtown” and “The Girl Next Door.” But after his performance as McCandless, the 23-year-old who left modern life behind, he’ll be best known for “Into the Wild” — and maybe even an Oscar nomination. ... Continue Reading

I sat down with Batman and talked about my tonsils. Sure, movie star Christian Bale is currently filming “The Dark Knight,” the follow-up to “Batman Begins,” and he might have better things to talk about (and don’t worry, we did) but I had just had mine removed four days before the interview took place at the Four Seasons downtown.

“Did they give you toast?” he asked is his usual intense manner, albeit sans his English accent. I responded with a no, telling him that was one of the foods they didn’t want me touching.

“That’s what they do in England,” he said. “Because they want it to scar.” Everything he said just sounded tougher, whether he meant it or not.

Bale is currently starring in “3:10 to Yuma,” a western co-starring Russell Crowe ... Continue Reading

Julie Delpy can’t seem to get enough of running around Europe with men. First she starred in “Before Sunrise” with Ethan Hawke, then years later the sequel, “Before Sunset,” both directed by Richard Linklater. Now she’s directed, wrote, starred, composed and edited the film “2 Days in Paris.” It’s almost the opposite of the “Before” films, instead focusing on the trouble that a relationship can have. Marion (Delpy) and Jack (Adam Goldberg) travel from New York to her parent’s home in Paris, where their bickering hits new heights when they continue to run into Marion’s former boyfriends.

I sat down the Delpy, who greeted me in a robe, but that quickly lost its allure when she explained she had the stomach flu. We spoke about going crazy putting a film ... Continue Reading

Jonah Hill, Michael Cera and Christopher Mintz-Plasse don’t know where they had dinner last night. Really, the last few weeks are a blur.

For the stars of the movie “Superbad,” the high school comedy about friends, parties and foul language, it’s been a wild ride. They’ve appeared on Letterman, traveled across the country and, in September, they’ll be in Europe promoting the film.

Hill, of “Knocked Up” fame, is the oldest at 23 and definitely seems to be the leader of the three. Mintz-Plasse, who steals the show in “Superbad” as McLovin, is a first-time actor. And Cera is best known as George Michael from “Arrested Development.”

I sat down with the three on a rooftop in Wrigleyville. Three other reporters joined and we talked about everything from Comic-Con to Seth Rogen… ... Continue Reading

A young man who lives next to a magical land makes a promise to the girl he loves that he’ll retrieve a fallen star … and that star ends up being Claire Daines. Michelle Pfeiffer is a witch and Robert De Niro is an effeminate pirate. Don’t worry, it’ll all make sense when you sit down for “Stardust,” which opens this week.

The man who brought this vision to the screen is Matthew Vaughn. I sat down with Vaughn, who wrote the screenplay and directed the film, and spoke about the amazing cast in this film, how he got his start and any wedding advice he might have (Vaughn’s wife is Claudia Schiffer and he was the best man at Guy Ritchie and Madonna’s wedding). He also told me I sounded ... Continue Reading

Director Michael Winterbottom has a wide variety of genres under his belt, but lately it’s been the war in the Middle East that has captured his attention. First, he directed “The Road to Guantanamo” which was part documentary, part drama. And now he has directed the adaptation, written by Mariane Pearl, “A Mighty Heart: The Brave Life and Death of my Husband, Danny Pearl.” This is the real-life story of The Wall Street Journal reporter, Danny Pearl, who was working in Pakistan, and goes missing. The book and now film chronicle the ordeal Mariane (played by Angelina Jolie) went through as Danny went missing, the effort to find him and his eventual murder.

This isn’t a typical, light summer movie that is heavy on special effects. It is an intense ... Continue Reading

Sure, her dad is Eric Roberts (“Heroes”) and her aunt is Julia Roberts, but after June 15, most people are going to think of the teen detective Nancy Drew when they see 16-year-old Emma Roberts. She’s already famous with the Nickelodeon crowd, having starred in “Unfabulous.” And just like other young actresses, she’s got a pop album. In talking with Roberts, we discussed the club scene, her family of actors and, of course, the famous Nancy Drew.

Bayer: How do you feel about approaching icon status? From now on, there’s going to be a group that thinks of the character Nancy Drew and sees your face.
Roberts: I think it’s really cool. I always wanted to bring someone to life on the big screen. So I think this was perfect. (Nancy Drew) ... Continue Reading

Bruce Willis. Yes, THE Bruce Willis. The kind of person for whom you can capitalize all the letters of the word “the” because he’s that big of a name. I mean, we’re talking David Addison, Butch Coolidge, James Cole, Harry Stamper, Dr. Malcolm Crowe and, of course, John McClane, the trouble-prone protagonist of the “Die Hard” series. Willis was in Chicago last week promoting the fourth installment, “Live Free or Die Hard.”

I can remember going to see “Hudson Hawk” opening weekend, and being one of the few to love it. And it still kills me that “Unbreakable” won’t be a trilogy because it only made $95 million.

When someone this big rolls into town, it’s hard to get a one-on-one. But I did join in on a round table, so instead of our usual format, I’m going to do my best to recreate the vibe of the experience (while leaving the garbage on the cutting room floor). I’m going to assign parts, too. There were radio people there and other print guys. Seven of us total (though some remained silent) with Willis. ... Continue Reading

The night before I sat down with Steve Austin, there was a screening of his new film, “The Condemned.” After we were all seated, Austin strolled in, looking like a giant. It seems a natural fit for the former WWE wrestler to be the new action-star.

“The Condemned” stars Austin and Vinny Jones (“X-Men: The Last Stand”) as two of 10 convicts on death-row who are sent to a deserted island where they fight to the death while the world watches on the Internet.

The next day, I went to shake his hand and actually had a stronger grip then him. In fact, his whole demeanor was laid back. At no point did I fear my body would end up getting slammed. Austin struck me as a man who would rather be ... Continue Reading

Molly Shannon is a superstar. She’s also been a Catholic school girl, a Joyologist and 50! She gets the chance to do that all over again when she hosts “Saturday Night Live” on May 12. Shannon will become the second female cast member to come back and host (the first being Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Shannon’s new film is a chance to enter into more a more dramatic arena, while still getting some laughs. It’s also Mike White’s directorial debut.

“Year of the Dog” stars Shannon with John C. Reilly, Peter Sarsgaard and Laura Dern in a film about a woman who identifies with her dog, Pencil, more than any person.

I sat down with Shannon to talk about the film, her allergies (to dogs) and of course, “Saturday Night Live.”

Bayer: How important is ... Continue Reading

With a title like “In the Land of Women,” you don’t know what to think. Images of a man trapped on an island only to discover he is surrounded by beautiful native women immediately come to mind … or maybe that’s just me. But that’s not Jonathan Kasdan’s first film.

“In the Land of Women” stars Adam Brody (“The O.C.”) as a young writer escaping Los Angeles for suburban Michigan. While taking care of his ailing grandmother (Olympia Dukakis) he meets the neighbors from across the way. Meg Ryan plays a woman in an unhappy marriage.

I sat down with Brody and Kasdan at the W Hotel and was struck by how new this was for them. Even though Brody has had fame with “The O.C.” and Kasdan comes from a Hollywood ... Continue Reading

From the makers of “Shaun of the Dead” comes “Hot Fuzz.” This time, instead of a British comedy tangling with zombies, it’s a cop action flick with plenty of laughs.

I sat down with Edgar Wright (director, writer), Simon Pegg (actor, writer) and Nick Frost (actor) and managed to get a few questions into the general conversation.

It was late afternoon, and they had spent all day doing press. Food and drink was scattered throughout the hotel suite, but really they couldn’t have been nicer. We talked about if these movies are spoofs, if Frost will always be the sidekick and just how Frost got stuck with the name Butterman.

Wright: Our only request at this time in the afternoon is to go straight to the more random questions. We are getting sick ... Continue Reading

Billy Bob Thornton has a swagger, there is no doubt about it.

At the Pennisula Hotel, Thornton sat down with myself and two other reporters. He started drawing on a little pad of paper, making quick eye contact at best, quiet. Then, a couple minutes later, he revealed what he was drawing, a quick sketch of one of the reporters. Thronton gave a smirk, and that was that.

He’s been acting since the mid 80s but really established himself with the 1996 film “Sling Blade” (french fried potaters mm, hmm), in which Thornton wrote, directed and starred. Since then, he’s been in blockbusters like “Armageddon,” critically acclaimed films such as “Monster’s Ball” and more recently, comedies.

So, when Thornton took the lead role in “The Astronaut Farmer,” it was a change of ... Continue Reading

Shia (Shy-a) LaBeouf (La-Buff). You’re going to hear that name a lot this summer. Not only is he starring in “Disturbia,” opening this Friday (April 13), but later, he has a small, independent film called “Transformers” opening up on the Fourth of July weekend (note the sarcasm).

Before we sat down at the Peninsula Hotel for the interview, there was a moment we passed each other in the lobby and did the head nod. The moment fit. He’s a completely normal 20-year-old in an extraordinary situation. He’s got that everyman quality and it shows in “Disturbia.” LaBeouf plays a kid under house arrest who begins to study his neighborhood since he’s stuck at home. Not only does he try and win over the girl next door, he begins to think his ... Continue Reading

When Bernie Mac walks into a room, there is no posse, no bodyguards waiting outside. “They would get in my way,” he says.

Mac grew up in Inglewood on the south side of Chicago. And when you listen to him talk, he definitely hasn’t forgotten his upbringing. Or how to talk. But unlike some interviews, where I finish and have a pocketful of unasked questions, this wasn’t the case with Mac. I didn’t get to ask every question I wanted, but everything he said felt genuine, every tangent he took was worth hearing. It’s a rare trait, and perhaps one he learned from “Big Momma.”

Mac is co-starring with Terrence Howard in “Pride.” It’s based on the true story of Jim Ellis, who took a rundown community center and turned it ... Continue Reading

With two films opening up on the same day, people might start thinking Virginia Madsen’s new lucky number is 23. After all, one of the films is called “The Number 23,” the other being “The Astronaut Farmer.”

“I stayed away from that whole enigma,” Madsen says. I’m not superstitious about anything, though I don’t try and tempt the fates.”

“The Astronaut Farmer” is a family drama about Charles Farmer (Billy Bob Thornton) attempting to build a rocket and orbit the Earth. “The Number 23” is a thriller starring Jim Carrey about a family man who becomes obsessed with the number 23.

”It’s so bizarre, I’m competing against myself,” she says. “But these are two such different films.”

In both films, she plays a wife and mother, supportive of her husband’s passion/obsession. But the ... Continue Reading

Whenever Jennifer Hudson hears things like “stole the show” or “owns the movie,” she doesn’t know what to say. Well, she needs to start thinking about it. The Chicago native has one of the breakout performances of the year with her role of Effie White in “Dreamgirls.”

Hudson is incredibly humble in person, constantly saying that she is just glad to be a part of a film that stars Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles and Eddie Murphy. “Dreamgirls” is the adaptation of the Broadway show about a trio of black female soul singer in the 1960s.

The audition process wasn’t easy for Hudson.

“They called me and asked me to audition for Effie White,” Hudson said. So she went in and heard things like, “You’re by far the best we’ve seen.” Time passed and ... Continue Reading

He’s got on a suit, a vest, a tie and nicely framed glasses. Some things in the universe just make sense. Paul Feig looks exactly like the type of guy you would hope create a show as great as “Freaks and Geeks.” It all fits, cool geek.

Since “Freaks and Geeks” was canceled, the author and director has kept busy, and that’s the way he wants it. While we sat down together at the Peninsula Hotel, he talked about his drive to constantly be working. He made an independent film, “I am David,” and directed numerous episodes of “Arrested Development” and “The Office.” Now, his first studio film, “Unaccompanied Minors,” just opened. The film is about a group of kids who get stuck at a Chicago airport over the holidays.

Feig talks ... Continue Reading

“Independence Day,” “Men in Black.” “Enemy of the State.” … Will Smith. He is big-budget blockbuster. Even his first Oscar nomination was portraying a man larger than life — Muhammad Ali. Now he has found a different path, and he brought his son (Jaden Smith) along for the ride. Don’t worry, he’ll be back doing blockbusters such as “I Am Legend.”

But now it’s time for “The Pursuit of Happyness” — which opens Dec.15 — the real-life story of Chris Gardener, a father who struggles in poverty while taking care of his son and his attempts to rise above. And yes, if you’re curious, Smith is really that good at the Rubik’s Cube.

The day after he was on “Oprah” in November, I had a chance to join in a round ... Continue Reading

Darren Aronofsky is not your normal Hollywood director, if there is such a thing. In 1998 he came out with “Pi,” a low-budget film about the over-analyzing of numbers. In 2000 Aronofsky directed Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans and Ellen Burstyn in the dark, disturbing “Requiem for a Dream.” It remains one of the best cinematic showcases of destruction drug addictions.

“The Fountain” is Aronofsky’s latest, but it has taken awhile to get the film to theaters. Originally, Brad Pitt was signed on and the budget was much bigger. But now with Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz (Aronofsky’s girlfriend) and a budget of $35 million, “The Fountain” is set to release Wednesday, Nov. 22. The easiest way to describe the film is to say it’s a love story, adventure, drama and ... Continue Reading

As different as “Fast Food Nation” is from “Dazed and Confused,” “Newton Boys,” “Before Sunset” and “School of Rock” they all have one thing in common — Richard Linklater.

Normally, a director is labeled a comedic director (Todd Phillips) or an action director (Michael Bay) yet Linklater is able to jump from drama to comedy to science-fiction (“A Scanner Darkly”).

In his newest film, which will open in Chicago on Nov. 17, he takes on the fast food industry. But this isn’t just about a couple of extra pounds we pack on eating fries. “Fast Food Nation” is based on the non-fiction book from Eric Schlosser and takes a look at working conditions, the food the animals eat, and a kill floor.

Linklater and I sat around an enormous 20-person oval table at ... Continue Reading

When you go to the new animated film “Flushed Away,” which opened last week, it’s going to be hard to pick out Matthew McCrory’s work.

The West Dundee native is not a voice; that would be the work of Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Bill Nighy and Ian McKellen. Nor is McCrory one of the film’s animators. His title reads “technical director.” Don’t worry, the question of what a tech director does was my first to him.

And there’s a reason you see only images from “Flushed Away” for this article — technical directors just don’t do headshots.

Bayer: What does a technical director do?
McCrory: (Laughing) I get asked that a lot. It’s not always the most straightforward thing to answer. It’s a range of responsibilities. Whenever an artist might not be able to ... Continue Reading

The shaggy red hair will get this 18-year-old recognized for years to come, thanks to his wizard friend Harry Potter, who does battle against a guy we shouldn’t name. But Rupert Grint is shaking the role of Ron Weasley (just temporarily, I promise) to star in his first leading role.

Grint’s new film, “Driving Lessons,” which just opened in the area, features him as Ben, a quiet boy with an overbearing mother (Laura Linney). Die-hard Harry Potter fans also will recognize Grint’s co-star Julie Walters. She stars as Mrs. Weasley in the Potter films, but here she’s Evie, an out-of-work actress who hires Ben to assist her in her daily life, which includes driving.

A road trip ensues, which sends Ben on a trip to find out who he is and how ... Continue Reading

Most people under the age of 35 should recognize the following movie quote:

“Well, alright, let me be the first to congratulate you then. You get one vagina for the rest of your life. Real smart Frank. Way to work it through.”

That, of course, is Beanie (Vince Vaughn) from “Old School.” Todd Phillips, the man who co-wrote and directed the film, is giving us another comedy, “School for Scoundrels”, which opens Sept. 29.

This time, Phillips directs Jon Heder (“Napoleon Dynamite”) as Roger, a dejected traffic cop trying to get up the courage to ask out his neighbor Amanda (Jacinda Barrett). Roger enrolls in a secret confidence-building course run by Dr. P (Billy Bob Thornton).

Problem is, once Roger starts gaining some self-esteem, Dr. P moves in on Amanda. The rest of the ... Continue Reading

If I said I interviewed Dwayne Johnson, few people would raise an eyebrow. If I said I interviewed Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, you’d know which eyebrow I was talking about. Until now, Johnson mainly has stuck with action films such as “The Rundown” and “Walking Tall.” His new film, “Gridiron Gang,” puts him in unfamiliar territory, playing a correctional officer trying to change the lives of juvenile inmates through football.

I sat down with Johnson at the Four Seasons Hotel while he was in town promoting the film. While talking with him, I realized this is the one film of which he is most proud, and it sounded like he really appreciates his role’s potential for helping turn kids around.

“Gridiron Gang” is based on the true story of detention camp probation ... Continue Reading

Aaron Kaplan had a dream – to make a film about the friction created from a slacker who moves in with his newlywed friend. Time for a new dream, Aaron.

Kaplan is the executive-producer of this summer’s comedy “You, Me and Dupree,” starring Owen Wilson, Kate Hudson and Matt Dillon. He’s also a Chicago native. Kaplan grew up in Old Town, made the move to Highland Park in his teenage years and then went to Northwestern University.

Now Kaplan is half of Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment (along with Sean Perrone). He manages writers and directors in TV and film and has six other films in development. In the future look for a comedy named “Made of Honor” and a horror film called “Dead Asleep.”

Kaplan found a moment in-between his Hollywood lunches to have a ... Continue Reading

Co-directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris have been working together for more than 20 years doing videos for R.E.M, the Ramones, Weezer and the Smashing Pumpkins. They’ve shot commercials for Volkswagen, Apple and ESPN. Now their first feature film, “Little Miss Sunshine,” is generating some huge buzz.

This ensemble dramedy features Greg Kinnear (“As Good as It Gets), Toni Collette (“About a Boy”), Steve Carell (“The 40 Year Old Virgin”), Alan Arkin (“Slums of Beverly Hills”), Paul Dano (“Fast Food Nation”) and Abigal Breslin (“Signs”).

The film is about a dysfunctional family which goes on a road trip to help Olivia (Breslin) enter the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant. It took Dayton and Faris 5 years (and only 30 days of shooting) to put together. Amazingly, the directors were able to get ... Continue Reading

Director/screenwriter Larry Clark, who broke into the movie business with his controversial 1995 film “Kids,” is back with another film about the youth of America.

“Wassup Rockers” is set in South Central and Beverly Hills, focusing on a group of Latino kids who wear tight pants, skateboard, listen to punk rock and who inevitably don’t fit into the hip hop culture that surrounds them. The story is based on real life experiences, and none of the kids in the film has acting experience.

Before Clark started making movies, he was a photographer, capturing teen subculture with his photo books Tulsa and Teenage Lust. He never strayed far from controversy, teenagers or trying to make authentic films.

Clark sat down with Bayer early one morning at the Peninsula Hotel to talk about the film ... Continue Reading