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The Ides of March: Review

Damon Houx — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 23:00:32 +0000

George Clooney is some kind of machine. He’s in two movies this year, including The Ides of March, which he also co-wrote, directed and produced. And like everything he’s directed it’s good, but falls short of greatness. Ryan Gosling stars as Stephens Myers, a wunderkind political analyst who’s one of the most important men behind Governor Morris (Clooney), but as the campaign comes it’s most contested primary, political and personal drama shows what these men are made of.

The Players:

Director: George Clooney
Written by: George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei, George Clooney, Jeffery Wright
Original Music by: Alexandre Desplat
Cinematography by: Phedon Papamichael

The Plot:

Stephen Myers (Gosling) is the man behind the man behind the throne, working on Governor Morris’s campaign to be president. Paul Zara (Hoffman) is in charge of the campaign, but everyone sees Myers as the rising star, even the interns, including Molly Stearns (Wood), who is indelicate in her advances. Myers gets a call from Tom Duffy (Giamatti), who’s running the opposition’s campaign, and delivers a blow – he says they have Senator Thompson (Wright) and his votes in their pocket, and without Thompson’s support, their candidate may be dead in the water. But then it’s revealed that Myers isn’t the only one who’s slept with Molly.

The Good:

This cast: Seriously, every single major actor in the film is great, and they all get a scene or two to shine (and/or yell). And when you’ve got titans of acting like Hoffman and Giamatti, you want them to have some good red meat scenes to eat. They do, and they deliver.
Not Preachy: Though Morris is a true-blue democrat, that’s the setting, the machinations of the plot aren’t really about that, and politics never drive the story so much as the machinations and backstabbing that come from a heated political campaign.
Pacing: For a film about the behind the scenes, Clooney and company were smart to keep this thing moving, and it’s a brisk 101 minutes that never dawdles.
The Machinations: In the film there are schemes and plans within plans that work either for or against the characters. From dropping information to a reporter (Tomei), to who people talk to, there’s some good plotting in the film.

The Bad

In summation: This movie is trying to call a shot, it’s trying to show the corruption of a character, but the pieces don’t add up. The idea of a character like Gosling’s losing his innocence while in the midst of a huge political campaign suggests he wasn’t wet enough behind the ears, or that the moment itself doesn’t matter. You wonder why someone would sleep with two characters in the order they do and few things seem like isolated incidents. I left the film with a lot of questions about what happened, and not in a good way.
Myers/Gosling: Fine in the part, Gosling doesn’t have a great facility to show the wheels turning in his head, though that works (in some ways) for the character. But when the film moves into its final machinations, his moves to regain control aren’t based on his political skill. And for a film that spends a lot of time suggesting he’s one of the great minds of his generation, and a born political animal, it would have been good to see him use those skills – at least once. That’s partly why the end doesn’t hit as hard as it’s trying to.

Overall:

There’s enough here to enjoy what’s going on, but it’s reach exceeds its grasp.The Ides of March is an intelligent, thoughtful thriller, but it’s missing profundity. That would be an unfair complaint if it didn’t think it was saying something deeper than it does.

Rating: 7/10

Stills:

Interview: Evan Rachel Wood on Ides of March

Damon Houx — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 20:55:03 +0000

Evan Rachel Wood started playing a rebellious young girl in Thirteen, and that role has lingered over her for much of her career. Wood talks about having some “crazy” years, but now she’s in George Clooney’s Ides of March, and she feels like she’s on track again. We talked about her work in the movie, Clooney and Ryan Gosling, her work on True Blood and Justin Bieber. Check it out…

How much back story did you create for this character? You’re obviously the daughter of the Chair of the DNC. Was she sleeping around before with people of power? Do you think that was her thing?

I think, you know, her father’s a politician. I’m sure she’s been raised in this world with a very male dominated arena so I think she’s not phased by it. She’s not intimidated at all. I think that’s what’s cool is she’s throwing all these guys off their game. I’m sure this isn’t anything new. But I don’t think she’s in it to gain anything. I think she’s really just having fun. She’s pretty innocent about it and she’s very honest about it.

Maybe getting back at Daddy a little bit?

I’m sure. She’s got a lot. She was raised Catholic with a political father. I’m sure she’s got a lot of stuff to work out.

Can you talk a little bit about working with George Clooney, director?

He’s wonderful. We had some rehearsal time blocked out beforehand. We used that to – it was mainly him, Ryan and I – just getting to know each other and hanging out more than going over the script. We were very comfortable. And then, on the day, George really let us play and improvise and it made it easier that he’s an actor, I think, because he knows what to say to get what he wants out of you. He just took care of his cast and crew.

Is it easier working with a director who’s done some acting than someone who hasn’t?

It is because sometimes it’s hard to communicate the same way and to speak the same language, so you have to run around trying to figure out what the other person is trying to say. It’s hard with artists. They have such crazy minds and a very certain way of seeing things and then communicating it is something totally different. So it really helps.

You described your character as a little naïve at times. Do you feel like there’s any active manipulation on her part? Do you ever feel like she’s being an idealist or an opportunist?

I don’t think so. I think she’s savvy to the way that world works. I think that’s why, if she was an opportunist, then she would have used her situation to her advantage completely. But, she’s terrified because she knows what that means for everyone involved and I think she really didn’t mean to or expect to be put there. She was naïve because she was just having fun. She was living in the moment and now she’s screwed and she’s scared to death, literally scared to death. It’s sad.

What was it about this character that initially drew you into the project?

Everything. I loved her. I loved her confidence. I loved how subtle she was, how direct she was and I kind of based her on George in a weird way.

How so?

He was explaining the character to me and just his kind of vibe. In a lot of roles that he’s played, he’s always been very subtle and very cool and collected and he doesn’t need a big show to get across his point. He just is so I just based her off of him.

Do you pay a lot of attention to politics or did you do some research on the political system?

George gave us some great documentaries to watch about the behind the scenes and the campaign trails and the press.

The War Room?

Yeah, I’d never seem that side of it. For the most part, I try to stay informed and involved about politics but it’s really hard. I get frustrated and emotionally worked up so I have to disengage. It’s a weird world.

Can you talk a bit more about working with Ryan Gosling because you spend most of your screen time alongside him?

You can’t ask for a better leading man right now. He’s extremely talented but he’s also a cool, interesting guy and he’s fun to hang out with. It makes your job easier when you’re doing those scenes and when you have to play opposite somebody like that. There’s just a comfortability there that really helps. I think we both knew that we could go toe to toe with each other and try to intimidate one another and see who was going to crack first.

Were you guys trying to make each other laugh on set?

All the time. I think that’s how that whole tie thing came about. It was improvised. I was just trying to screw with Ryan and make his tie look as bad as possible.

With this film you have a powerhouse cast but it seems like you almost entirely worked with Ryan.

I know. I just now got to know Paul (Giamatti) and Phillip (Seymour Hoffman).

It’s a shame you weren’t around for them.

It could be worse. It was not a bad day at work.

So they shot you for two weeks and then…?

It was a couple of months actually. It was pretty spread out. When we filmed in Cincinnati and Detroit in winter, we still had a great time so that’s saying a lot.

Was it a challenge to play a character with smaller parts spread out that way?

No, it was great actually. It was nice to not have the movie rest on me. Poor Ryan, he was in every single scene.

Did you give him hell for that?

Of course, I’m always giving Ryan hell.

George Clooney is known as a prankster on set, did he pull anything on you?

I don’t know. I feel like he’s always pulling something. That’s the thing. I think one of the greatest pranks of all time is just establishing that you’re a prankster so every day on set you’re looking over your shoulder. Everyone was on their toes just waiting for something to happen. I think the only thing he did to me was catch me and Max (Minghella) dancing and singing and he rolled the camera, but that was about it. I think Ryan was the one that got water squirt bottles in his crotch and things like that but I was spared.

What were you guys dancing to?

Justin Bieber…which is why he knew it would be embarrassing.

Yes, that is embarrassing.

But I am a firm Belieber and I’ve embraced it. I used to be a closeted one who was really embarrassed about it but there’s nothing I can do so it’s best to be honest.

Have you met him?

I haven’t. Before I was a fan, I was in the same room. Now I’m like “Gahhhhh!” No, I haven’t met him.

Do you admire him from afar?

At this point, with everything that’s been in the press, now I’m sure he’s like “I don’t want to meet that person. She’s nuts. She’s going to attack me.” But it’s not a crush. That’s the weird thing. I don’t have a crush on the guy, and that’s the thing. God, I hope he knows that. I was a kid performer. Anytime someone that young is born with that incredible of a talent and has gone as far so quickly, I mean, that’s amazing. I can’t imagine what that does to a person so the journey ahead for him must be crazy.

When you were a child actor was there a point where you thought “Maybe I’ll stop”?

I’ve had those moments. Because when you’ve been doing something your whole life, you really want to make sure that it’s what you want to do and not just what you’re used to or good at. I think the only other thing that I would do is be a psychologist because that’s what I do in a weird way. I analyze people and characters and motives and I’m picking apart human beings constantly. It’s just something I’m passionate about. But, I took a step back and looked and now I really know that this is what I am extremely passionate about and what I want to do. It’s just an amazing platform to reach people and I think that’s one of the most rewarding parts about it.

You were talking about analyzing people and picking out a part, are you writing anything?

I write a lot. I’ve always written actually. I feel like one day I need to write an autobiography though because – Jesus – it’s been so crazy. I’d love to do that one of these days. Julie Taymor wants me to make a movie about the years between 18 and 24. She said “This whole time you just need to put on film immediately.” I don’t know. I would love to keep writing though and maybe direct one of these days. That’s what everyone keeps telling me I need to be doing but I don’t know if I’m there yet.

You talk about the craziness of those particular years. Did they feel crazy when they were happening?

I think the point of having those years was to be as crazy as possible because I didn’t really have a childhood or an adolescence. I didn’t have that time so it was like “alright, I’ve got to do this. I’ve got to get to know myself and know what’s out there and have my fun so that I can really focus and commit to this life and this career and get serious.” But I knew before I was going to do that that I was going to be very unserious.

Are the scales balanced now or should we expect more? I mean, between 18 and 24, you’ve probably got a few more years left.

I think things have definitely calmed down a lot for the better but I’m really glad I had that time because it just teaches you so much about yourself. I feel like you can’t be an actor without life experience and without things to draw from. It was all an amazing learning experience. I gained many tools.

Can you talk about what you learned from the True Blood experience, the fans, and working on the TV show for such a long time?

What did I learn? It was cool because I was such a huge fan of the show that getting a chance to be on it and in that world and be a part of it was pretty amazing. I was so nervous though. The first episode that I did was terrifying because I had seen every episode and all of a sudden I was there and the characters were there and I was just like “Oh!” And Stephen Moyer comes over to me and he’s teaching me how to pop the fangs out and I’m like “This is happening!” I think Alan Ball is amazing and I thought the character was hilarious and over the top, so I miss it.

Do you still watch every episode?

I haven’t seen the new season yet – I haven’t had time. I didn’t want to get into it and then miss it so don’t tell me anything because I’m behind. But yeah, I’m still definitely into the show. People have already done it and I’m like “Gah! Why?!”

Was there something about just that show or was it that genre? Do you read or watch other things in that sort of territory?

I’ve always wanted to play a vampire. I don’t know an actor that doesn’t want to do that. I do like that genre, but it’s hard to find ones that I really like. I loved the first season and I loved the chemistry between Stephen and Anna (Paquin) which makes perfect sense now. It was dark but it was really funny which is what Alan Ball is so great at.

What’s next for you on the horizon that we should be watching out for?

There’s things in the works but I don’t think I can talk about any of them yet. I just have to wait and see. I really want to do a comedy next. That’s just a side of me that no one’s really got a chance to see.

Do you mean dark comedy?

Light, like a stoner comedy.

Is this your call out to everyone right now? “Hey, I want to do a stoner comedy.”

That’s exactly what I’m doing. Absolutely.

SPOILER TERRITORY

Your character makes this very dramatic choice. Did you guys talk about layering in moments that would lead us to believe that you would head in that direction at a certain point?

What do you mean?

You kill yourself, right? And so….?

I think it’s open to interpretation actually. I think it could have been an accident. It could have not been. It’s like you make that decision, I think. George and I talked about it. We didn’t really think…I mean, we wanted it to be an accident, but you don’t know.

So then it wasn’t necessarily a choice that you had killed yourself?

Yeah.

Ides of March Opens October 7. Check it out.

The Conspirator: Movie Review

Damon Houx — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 03:57:42 +0000

James McAvoy and Robin Wright lead the cast of Robert Redford’s The Conspirator. It’s Redford’s attempt to address his concerns with our current legal issues regarding fair trials for terrorists in the light of the death of Abraham Lincoln. Based on a true story,the film is a courtroom drama where the odds are stacked against a client who’s guilt is more circumstantial than actual. Find out more below…

The Players

Director: Robert Redford
Writers: James Solomon (screenplay, story) Gregory Bernstein (story)
Stars: Robin Wright, James McAvoy, Evan Rachel Wood, Tom Wilkinson, Kevin Klein, Danny Huston

The Story

John Wilkes Booth (Toby Kebbell) killed the president, but he was not alone in his actions, and so Secretary of War Edwin Stanton (Klein) is put in charge of collecting everyone involved. Mary Surrat (Wright) was the mother of one of the conspirators, and her home was used to plot the assassination, though she also rented her home out to borders. Fredrick Aiken (McAvoy) is given the job of being her defense attorney, and though he resents and openly rejects the assignment, he finds that the law is so in favor of executing her, that the scales have been tipped unfairly against her.

The Good

The Question of Law Versus Values: Though the film is steeped in the more modern political ramifications about Guantanamo Bay, this delves into the idea of the need to kill an innocent person to stem the tide of dissent versus the nature of law. The idea that laws are in place to keep people from exercising their worst impulses is one of the things that makes having the rule of law important, and the film argues for that strongly, even in the face of politicians suggesting that the expedient solution is the best. The idea of honoring laws in the face of whatever imagined terribleness, the idea that humans can manage to either turn the other cheek or wait for rational thought before acting is a very powerful notion, and Redford’s film is paean to that.
Ringers: When you’re a talent like Robert Redford, you can get some of the best, and Tom Wilkinson, Danny Huston, Kevin Klein and James Mcavoy are perfect period actors, who bring gravitas and history to their performances. Likewise, Robin Wright is fine as the woman who must suffer her indignities, and there’s also smaller performances from the likes of Stephen Root and Colm Meany.

The Bad:

Inevitability: When the film reveals it’s cards, that it’s Redford’s attempt to address what he sees as what’s wrong with the country, there’s really only so many places the film can go. There’s a stacked deck, and even though it’s based on the accounts of the time, you know where it’s going.
Episodic: The film wrestles with the themes that often plauge law shows and “Star Trek.” Even if the film is one of the better examples of such things, it definitely feels like there’s nothing that cinematic about it, other than the sure hand of its director.
Out of Time: The films The Conspirator most resembles are the films of Stanley Kramer, in that it’s very much of the “good for you” sort of cinema that he trafficked in. It also feels like the sort of film that would have come out at least a couple decades ago in hopes of winning Oscars. Instead it’s a limited release that will be all but forgotten at the end of the year.
Love Interest: McAvoy’s character has a girlfriend (Alexis Biedel) and a best friend who are not fond of what’s he up to. It’s a hackneyed plot device in films like this, and the performers seem just as out of place.

Overall:

A film that will surely play just as well at home as it does in theater, and does have the elements of something made for a history class, man’s ability t do the right thing has always been one of the great struggles of the civilized era. And though the film has some evident faults, if you can engage with those ideas, and find them compelling enough through Redford’s portrait of the America he both loves and is frustrated with, then there’s meat on the bones. Others will get bored.

Rating: 7.5/10

Jack Nicholson Emcees the Rocky Horror Picture Show Tribute

Krystal Clark — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:13:48 +0000

When you think of Halloween, three things come to mind: candy, Halloween the movie, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It’s been 35 years since the Transylvanian musical debuted in theaters with Barry Bostwick, Susan Sarandon and Tim Curry as the leads. In honor of the anniversary the original stars as well as a few others including Jack Nicholson, Evan Rachel Wood, Julian MacMahon, Lea Michelle, and Matthew Morrison decided to participate in a Los Angeles fundraiser inspired by the film to raise money for a good cause.

Nicholson shared narration duties for The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Danny DeVito, while Michele and Morrison played the roles of Janet and Brad. In a crazy turn MacMahon was dressed from head to toe as the transsexual Dr. Frank-n-furter and “Lost” alum Jorge Garcia starred as the motorcycle riding Eddie, who was previously played by Meat Loaf in the original.

Wood and Lucas Gabreel from High School Musical were stand outs as Magenta and Riff Raff, they did an amazing job. Even better than the actor’s from “Glee!” One of the most hilarious bits came from George Lopez as he appeared pantless in the role of Dr. Scott. At the end of it all Bostwick and Curry came out to a thunderous applause accompanied by an encore performance of “The Time Warp.”

Why haven’t they released the video of this performance yet? It sounds like a must see!

What do you think of the unique casting for The Rocky Horror Picture Show?

Kate Winslet in HBO’s Mildred Pierce Trailer

Krystal Clark — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 21:13:24 +0000

HBO has finally released the first trailer for thier upcoming miniseries Mildred Pierce. When you hear that name most of you think of the 1945 adaptation that starred Joan Crawford, but this remake features another Academy Award winner, Kate Winslet. The actress takes on the title role and goes head to head with Evan Rachel Wood in the feature directed by Todd Haynes. Check it out…

Mildred Pierce is based on the 1941 novel of the same name written by James M. Cain. It centers on a housewife and mother of two who breaks from her unfaithful husband and tries to support herself and the children during the Great Depression in the 1930s. The film co-stars Guy Pearce, and is scheduled to air during the spring of 2011 and will be broken up into 5 parts.

If you’ve never seen the original film or have no idea how Crawford played the character, here’s the trailer.

These are definitely two different takes on the novel. The basic premise is there but it looks like Haynes version will really explore all the dirty cracks, and crevices that might have been considered too risque for the original.

What do you think of the trailer for Mildred Pierce? Are you interested in watching the film?

George Clooney to Direct Chris Pine, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti

Krystal Clark — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:45:30 +0000

George Clooney is getting that director’s itch again. The Oscar winner and recent recipient of the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award has his eye on a new project. According to Vulture (via JoBlo), Clooney is interested in helming the drama Farragut North, and he already has a dream cast that includes Chris Pine, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood, and Marisa Tomei.

Farragut North is based on the stage play of the same name that’s “set in Des Moines, Iowa, just weeks before the state’s Democratic caucuses officially commence; it follows the exploits of a twenty something presidential campaign spinmeister/wunderkind named Stephen Myers, and the dirty pool he plays to get his candidate the nomination against a rival senator.”

Clooney is looking at Pine to play the twenty something, a role Leonardo DiCaprio was previously attached to. Pine portrayed the character in the Los Angeles stage production in 2009 and earned great reviews for his performance. Brad Pitt was interested in taking on the role of his boss but can’t commit because of scheduling conflicts. His part will go to Philip Seymour Hoffman, while Giamatti will play the manager of the opposing candidate.

Wood has been offered the role of a teenage staffer who Pine has a tryst with and Tomei will star as an investigative reporter. The film is currently independent but Clooney is looking at Sony to distribute. Filming is slated to begin in February.

What do you think of the cast for Farragut North?

Frank Miller’s Full Gucci Guilty Commercial

Krystal Clark — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 20:27:48 +0000

Last week, a teaser was released for Frank Miller’s latest project — a commercial. It’s not just any commercial, it’s an advertisement for a new fragrance called Gucci Guilty and stars Evan Rachel Wood and Captain America himself Chris Evans. The preview footage we saw made us feel like the actual ad was going to deliver, too bad it’s pretty much the same old, same old with some extra love-making scenes in between. Check out the full video below…

That was a bit underwhelming. The commercial is actually the same length as the teaser trailer. They both clock in at 32 seconds. How does that work exactly? Wood is captivating throughout that short period of time and it’s kind of cool seeing her man-handle Evans. The color scheme and the overall style of this commercial fully represents Miller’s filmmaking aesthetic.

I won’t say that this ad makes me want to go out and buy a bottle of Gucci Guilty but I wouldn’t mind taking a whiff just to see what all the fuss is about.

P.S. this commercial was originally set to debut during the MTV Video Music Awards next month.

What do you think of the commercial for Gucci Guilty? Does it live up to the hype?

Evan Rachel Wood, Chris Evans in Teaser for Frank Miller’s Gucci Commercial

Krystal Clark — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:12:52 +0000

Love them or hate them, every once in a while a posh fashion or perfume designer decides to use Hollywood’s hottest actors to star in an overly cinematic commercial. It’s been done with Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, and this time it’s Evan Rachel Wood. She along with Chris Evans appear in a new ad for the fragrance Gucci Guilty, which is directed by Frank Miller (Sin City, The Spirit). The teaser trailer for the commercial has been released – yes it has a teaser and you can watch below…

This commercial definitely has Frank Miller written all over it. There’s so much Sin City and The Spirit pushed into this that it’s borderline ridiculous. Other than the obvious homages, stylistically it’s beautiful. The contrast of Woods flaming hair against the stark gray background works miracles for the overall theme.

As for Chris Evans, doesn’t he look like Lucas Lee from Scott Pilgrim vs The World in this video? That’s our Captain America right there folks.

The full length commercial will air during the MTV Music Video Awards on September 12th.

What do you think of Miller’s Gucci commercial? What do you think of Evans and Wood as the leads?

Stewart, Mulligan, Cover Vanity Fair’s Hollywood Issue

Krystal Clark — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:47:10 +0000

Vanity Fair has released the cover of their annual Hollywood issue and it features several actresses who are described as the “fresh faces” of the new decade. Too bad the majority of them have been around for years, but main stream media is just now catching on to them. Kristen Stewart and Evan Rachel Wood lead the pack of nine that headline the issue. Here’s the full photo…

There are several problems with the cover choices for this issue with the first one being the tagline. It states that these are the new faces of the decade, but will all of these ladies be around ten years from now with thriving careers? I remember a few years back when Lindsay Lohan was on the cover of the Young Hollywood issue and we all see how she turned out. Also, where are the actresses of color? Not just African American, but Latino, Asian, give me Native American or something. They usually stick someone in there to make a difference, but this time they didn’t even try.

And last but not least, how fresh faced are Evan Rachel Wood and Kristen Stewart supposed to be? Granted they’re young, but those girls have been around for a while, and the same could be said for Abbie Cornish and Rebecca Hall. They haven’t been front and center of any blockbusters but they’re not new to the game. I could have sworn that Amanda Seyfried and Stewart were already featured on one of these “special Hollywood issues” last year, yet they’re coming back for more?

This year’s layout is boring and unoriginal. Dig deeper Vanity Fair.

(L-R) Abbie Cornish (Bright Star, Guardians of Ga’Hoole), Kristen Stewart (Twilight, The Runaways), Carey Mulligan (An Education, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps), Amanda Seyfried (Jennifer’s Body, Dear John), Rebecca Hall (Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona, The Town), Mia Wasikowska (Defiance, Alice in Wonderland), Emma Stone (Zombieland, Easy A), Anna Kendrick (Twilight, Up in the Air), Evan Rachel Wood (The Wrestler, The Conspirator).

What do you think of Vanity Fair’s choices for their latest Hollywood issue?

James McAvoy, Evan Rachel Wood Conspirator Photos

Krystal Clark — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:15:25 +0000

Just yesterday we reported that actor Justin Long joined the cast of Robert Redford‘s drama The Conspirator, and a couple of set photos have already been released. Over at the Playlist, they posted images of James McAvoy in character as Col. Frederick Aiken, the young defense lawyer who reluctantly agrees to represent Mary Surratt (Robin Wright Penn), a woman being tried as a conspirator in the Lincoln assassination. Evan Rachel Wood plays Surratt’s daughter, and there is a photo of her in costume as well.

Take a look at them on set…

James McAvoy is such an amazing actor. He can pull of any role thrown at him no matter the time period or the subject matter. He is so underrated in my eyes. Did anyone have to take a second look at Wood in this photo, because at first I thought it was a shot of Abbie Cornish.

In another piece of interesting casting news, Toby Kebbell, best known for his role in RocknRolla has been hired to play the infamous John Wilkes Booth. It will more than likely be a small role, mostly visible through flashbacks, but he is so fitting for the part.

What do you think of McAvoy and Wood in costume? What do you think of Toby Kebbell playing Booth?

Spider-Man Musical to Come to an End?

Krystal Clark — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:28:49 +0000

Do you feel that? It’s my Spidey sense telling me there’s trouble with the stage adaptation of the Marvel comic! According to Variety, Spider-Man, Turn off the Dark may be in grave danger. The Recession is real people and we should know by now that no one is immune. The budget for the stage production is no joke, and I think the producers are starting realize that.

Major cash flow problems are rumored to stem from the 35 million dollar price tag that the show garners. There seems to be an income “hiccup” that involves the shows producers, which includes Marvel and Sony Entertainment. This year Marvel didn’t really have any major releases and their profits were down significantly due to that fact. Insiders are suggesting that this money issue will be resolved before the debut of the production early next year. The musical will be directed by Broadway legend, Julie Taymor with music from U2‘s Bono and The Edge.

The cast will include Evan Rachel Wood as Mary Jane Watson, and Alan Cumming as the Green Goblin. I wonder what this show is going to entail that it comes to a 35 million dollar price tag? Will the Green Goblin have his hover board? Will actual flight be taking place by any of the characters? I believe The Hangover was produced for the same amount of money, and it was shot in Vegas at Caesars Palace. Interesting, indeed.

What do you think of the Spider-Man musical? Do you think the budget is too much?

Interview with Larry David, Patricia Clarkson, Evan Rachel Wood

Mali Elfman — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:23:30 +0000

A little while ago I attended the press conferences for Woody Allen‘s latest film, Whatever Works. The three stars of the film, Larry David, Patricia Clarkson, and Evan Rachel Wood were all in attendance and ready to ramble. This was definitely one of those situations in which the actors were far more concerned about entertaining than answering the questions. David tended to give one sentence comedic answers, Wood would chime in here and there with a witty remark, and Patricia Clarkson was probably the most on point and ready to talk about the film.

Check out the interview below where they all reminisce about being terrified of Woody, whether or not anyone wants to see David have sex, the recent vampire craze and a whole lot more…

Points covered in the interview:

The awkward relationship between David and Wood’s characters. Where was the sex?
Working with Woody: The fear, the insults, and the faint praise.
David on how he did not intend to “do” Woody.
Back to their Southern Roots.
Negative Vs Realistic
Vampires and Hannah Montana
What’s Next for Everyone
BONUS: You’ll have to keep reading to find out!

The title of the film Whatever Works, describes Boris’ life philosophy, how closely does that align with your own philosophy?

Larry David: It’s actually in conflict with my own philosophy which is Whatever Doesn’t Work.

Evan Rachel Wood: That the sequel

David: That’s pretty much what I subscribe to. Anyone who finds me unattractive, that’s the one I want. Unappealing, yea, that’s who I go for.

Even though they’re married in the movie, you don’t really think of the characters having sex ‘til she mentions Viagra. Were there any love scenes that were cut of should there have been? (laughter)

Larry David: Well yes, of course, there should have been. (laughter) But, no there weren’t any. That was, that was it. I don’t think anybody wants to see me having sex with anyone in the movies. (laughter)

Patricia Clarkson: Oh, Larry.

David: No, it’s true.

Evan Rachel Wood: I don’t know. I know a lot of people who seemed very excited about the idea but… That was the first question my sisters asked me. “Is there a sex scene?” I was like, “Really? Well there’s a ‘fade to black’.”

Larry and Evan, can you talk a little about your chemistry? Was it very immediate or did you have to spend a lot of time together before shooting?

Wood: Well he’s such an unlikeable person.

David: I have an immediate chemistry with pretty much everyone, whether it’s good or its bad. I can tell right off. I really can. It doesn’t take me long to get to know somebody. There’s a very visceral reaction, very quickly. We were very comfortable with each other.

Wood: Yeah, we got together and rehearsed a lot. It was fun.

David: But I find that with you, I have a reaction to you. I can tell what I can say to you and what I can’t tell. You know, I can go out and talk to people, I know just by looking at people if I say something nasty to them how they are going to react. And if I can kid around with them, if they are going to get it or not. I mean, I have a sixth sense like that.

Evan, your character didn’t really seem to have an issue with their age different and you have played similar characters in the past…

Wood: It does seem to haunt me everywhere I go.

And had do you feel about that?

Wood: It’s very innocent and sweet, you know? I liked it. I didn’t think it was quite (don’t know word) but I always compare it to Harold and Maude more than anything and even that was more romantic. You’re not a very romantic person, in the movie.

David: Yeah, In life too.

Wood: Yeah, but you know when else would I have the chance to be married to Larry David so you know it was cool. I enjoyed it. I felt fine about it.

Can you talk a little bit about working with Woody Allen, what’s his approach towards working with actors?

Clarkson: It has theatrical roots. I mean he does very big long takes. You have to be prepared, you have to do your homework. You have to know your lines, you have to be able to improv. There’s no short takes. He does a scene, let’s say it’s a 10 page scene. He will shoot that entire scene from beginning to end. Let’s say you’re in the 2nd to last line and you screw up. On, “No, No”. You go back to line one.

David: Back to base. You go back to home base.

Wood: It’s not like you say, “Can I take that line again.” No. It’s like can I take that scene again.

Clarkson: You don’t take a line again.

David: Patty said to me one day. She said, “Honey, I’ve done Blanche DuBois at the Kennedy Center but nothing’s harder than this” (laugher).

Wood: That was the hardest thing I ever did.

Clarkson: But I mean it’s hard, it’s hard but it’s also character building in the true sense of the word in that you do really have to know your character, you do really have to know what your doing when you walk on the set everyday. And we get lazy as actors in film. We walk in, we’ve learned our page of dialogue and we’re like “give me my coffee, give me my slippers, give me a croissant, you know. Maybe I’m ready to shoot.” With Woody you have to be ready.

Wood: We were lucky. We all got together and had time to run our massive amount of lines.

Clarkson: We ran our lines. We would sit in Larry’s room.

David: That was very helpful.

Larry getting back to how scripted Woody is, I know most of your acting on Curb Your Enthusiasm is mostly off the cuff and improvised, what was it like having pages and pages of dialogue?

David: It was hard. It was hard.

Wood: I wish I could have seen the look on your face when you opened that script. I just saw the first page.

The first monologue was like five minutes wasn’t it?

David: I opened the script and saw the first page full of Boris ,and then I saw Boris on page 50, and then I went to the last page…

Clarkson: And there is Boris and again and again.

David: I went, “Oye.” Yeah, so yeah it was kind of daunting to have to learn all that, to tell you the truth. Yeah. As far as the improvising goes, that was another aspect to it that I found daunting because I am used to improvising and kind of making up most of it as I go along and it was challenging, and I don’t care for challenges very much.

E: It was hard not to laugh.

David: Yes that too.

Clarkson: Although we were all terrified of Woody Allen.

E: Yea, I was too afraid to laugh most of the time.

You are all well established but working with Woody Allen there has to be an intimidation factor. Can you guys talk about that a little bit?

Clarkson: There is an intimidation factor. I mean you get over it and you get past it.

David: You want to please him.

Clarkson: You do, ‘cause he is so monoslavic in his response. He is so judicious in his praise.

David: You don’t want to be the one to screw up his movie.

Clarkson: You don’t. You don’t want to be the one to screw up a take. Well like I said it’s a different way of working then most directions who can stop and start and shoot in pieces and you know but…

Wood: It’s unpredictable. If he gets it in one take it’s done.

Clarkson: It’s done and that’s it.

Wood: But if it’s not…

Clarkson: Our scene in the museum was one, yeah.

Wood: It was like 3 takes all together.

As a follow-up that, he is very his praise come sparingly, was there a moment that you were allotted that you can tell us about?

David: He said to me once, “It wasn’t horrible” (laughter)

Wood: Yeah!

David: That made my day.

Clarkson: No, he’s very. You know, he’ll say to you, “Oh that was good”.

Wood: My favorite was “that was a lot funnier than I thought it was going to be”

David: He was very sweet.

Clarkson: He is, oh, he was a dear, he has great respect for us actors and there is actually a euphoria when you get through those big takes, you know there is a payoff to it.

One of the great things about Woody Allen’s films is that as actors, you got to really let the acting rip which is one of the things Woody Allen is known for and how was that as oppose to the smaller tiger acting that maybe you do regularly?

Clarkson: Well that’s exactly it. What it is, is the way he shoots and yet he actually puts the camera in the right place. I never saw a camera. He shoots you at the right distance, captures you in the right place, he makes you look good and you don’t realize it in the midst of shooting it. And he gives you breathe and he shoots the body, you know the body never lies. That’s what’s beautiful about Woody, he actually, he shoots you in all your glory. And, films so often are neck up acting nowadays. There is a lot that goes on below you know south of the mason Dixon line that you need to see, you know, no pun intended. I think that he, the very fact of how he shoots it is a, you know, is theatrial in it’s way.

It’s been interesting watching over the years different people sort of channeling Woody Allen. I thought it was an interesting sort of take having Larry David’s Woody Allen. Can you talk a little bit about what that was like for you and how much of if do you bring from that dialogue, that Woody Allen-esque dialogue and yourself as well?

David: Well I know that’s a concern, people would say to me, “well are you going to be doing him?” and I would think they were out of their minds when they would ask me that. “No, why,?” I’m going to try not to do him, it never occurred to me to want to do him and he doesn’t want me to do him. (laughter) He didn’t call me up and say, “I want you to do me, have you ever seen me, can you talk like me.” So, it wasn’t really an issue for me at all. It wasn’t something I thought about or worried about. And I’ve said this in some of my interviews, there was only one time where I was having trouble with a line that he wanted, it was “The Western Word,” and after a few takes I could tell that he was dissatisfied and finally I said to tell, “Just tell me how do you want me to do it, I’ll do it, just give it to me” and he goes “The Western World, The Western World” (with a strong Jewish accent) so we did the next take and I go “The Western World”.

Wood: Do you know what line will forever echo in my head, “and with that they entered the gallery”. How many times?

David: That was another one that he didn’t like. I did that like Howard Corsel. He said go ahead and try it so I did it but he didn’t use it.

Patricia, how was it going back to your Southern roots? I know its been awhile.

Clarkson: Divine. You know it’s always nice to be home. You know, in spirit. And with such a delicious character. It was a character that required all my Southernism in all its glory and all of its…fanaticism. It was very nice. I sometimes have to be careful about my accent, especially when I get tired and have a bourbon or two. Not that I drink on set. But, it was nice. I could just let it all hang out (laughter).

Evan, I thought you did was one of the best female performances for a Woody Allen movie since Diane Keaton. I am just wondering how you come up with that characterization or does Woody work with you on that characterization?

Wood: Luckily I’m from the South too. So I kind of based her off of my step-mother, slightly. Not IQ wise. But just that sweet Southern hospitality, just seeing the good in everything. It was hard. I didn’t want her to be annoying, I wanted her to be endearing. I wanted my accent to be right cause I’m Southern, and it’ll drive us crazy if its’ wrong. No, it just happened.

Clarkson: And Woody wanted us to have, you know very broad Southern accents.

Wood: Yeah, that was the main direction I always got. Broad Southern, more Southern. “You should be in a potato sack with bear feet,” whatever that means. So I did the best I could. But, no, once you get the hair going and the nails and the outfit, it’s hard not to become that different person. The tan was the hardest part and the boobs weren’t mine.

Larry, do you feel that the character Boris is negative or realistic?

David: Both, both. I think to be realistic is to be negative.

Larry how are you similar to Boris and how are you different?

David: Well, we’re different in that, I am way more normal than he is. I enjoy life, I play golf. I like having sex. I have normal wants and needs. He’s insane, really. He’s really on the edge. Like I was telling someone earlier, I don’t wear shorts. I am a much better dresser than he is.

Wood: I will give you that.

David: Yes, I thnk that’s the main difference.

Any similarities?

David: Yes, there are some similarities. We both have the some disdain for the human race. We both come from similar roots. And we probably have a, well we were both bar mitzvahed I’m sure.

Do you think that happiness and intelligence level goes hand in hand and possibly the happier you are the less intelligent you are?

Wood: Ignorance is bliss.

David: I think that’s true. I think religious people are happier than atheists.

Clarkson: Yeah, but we get to have sex. I don’t think there is a correlation. I think there are brilliant people who are happy and there are really stupid people who are very unhappy. You know what I mean, I think happiness is not intellect driven. I think it is driven in many ways. I do. And I think that is what Woody is saying, a lot in this film.

Wood: Sometimes, I’ve known people to be so smart that they’re stupid. Like, they just get so smart and caught up in themselves that they miss out on so much. And it’s a shame. Boris.

Evan, you character is someone who is just thrust into the city life and is really naïve but in your real life you’ve been working since you were so young and in the media spotlight for so many years. And I’m wondering in your real life relationships what do you find difficult about the fact that everything you do in your personal life romantically or otherwise is scrutinized by so many people?

Wood: It’s not my problem. I don’t care. I’m going to be, who I’m going to be and if someone’s got an issue with that. I’m sorry. I’m happy. I mean yeah it is hard. I mean it’s harder you know that my friends and family have to read that, it actually affects them more and that’s what makes me angry. But you know life’s too short, so…

This question is for Rachel and the rest of the cast, so you’re doing a guest spot on True Blood and Vampires seem to be really big right now, do you have any comments to make about why vampires are so popular right now?

Wood: I love me some vampires, you know it comes and goes in waves but vampires there’s always a craze somehow. I’ve been waiting to play a vampire since I was 5.

Do you think that there’s a reason, like why now?

Wood: It’s romantic. Why now? I, I don’t know. There hasn’t been one in, a vampire in quite some time.

Clarkson: I don’t know why vampires are so hot right now.

Wood: Because they’re sexy and scary at the same time.

Clarkson: Yeah, they’re sexy.

Wood: And teenage vampires. It’s like the whole Lost Boys thing, you know. Which I liked more but…

Clarkson: I told Larry I want to play a vampire in Curb your Enthusiasm. (laughter)

Wood: Great idea. You would make a killer vampire. No pun intended.

Larry, do you have a comment on the teenage vampire craze?

David: I don’t.

Wood: Please do!

David: I’ve been thinking about it. I can’t really come up with anything. I don’t quite get it. My kids went completely into it. They read all the book, the Twilight, that whole series, they read all that. I went to see Twilight with them.

Wood: (whispers) Sorry.

David: No, I enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to part two. Whenever that comes out. I watch all the kids stuff with them.

Wood: You went to Hannah Montanna, didn’t you?

David: I did. I was at a Hannah Montana. What kid of dad am I huh? Lucky kids.

For all three of you, are you writing anything new for television or what’s next for you?

David: Well I just finished shooting Curb Your Enthusiasm and I’m editing that right now.

Ok, any plans to write something new?

David: Yes, but I don’t know what that is right now.

Ok, and it’s called...

David: I’m pretty sure it will be….

Clarkson: It’s not your take on Medea

Wood: Oh, God. I would love to see that.

Clarkson: I should have said a new translation, it’s not a new translation of Medea?

What are you doing?

Clarkson: What am I doing? I have some other films coming out this year with Martin Scorsee and a beautiful film called Cairo Time. And I just finished shooting a film called Main Time, Horton Foyle’s last film that he wrote that with Ellen Burston. And, I’m not quite sure what’s next which is a good place for me to be in.

Is there anything you’re longing for specifically that you love to do?

Clarkson: I have a movie about Tallulah Bankhead that we’re in the process of getting going.

And Evan?

Wood: Let’s see, what am I doing. I’m doing a couple of episodes of” True Blood”, playing a vampire queen. Then, I’m playing Mary-Jane in Spider-Man on Broadway.

Clarkson: I will be there opening night.

Wood: Yeah, you will. That should be up and running by February, I think.

David: Spider-Man is going to be on Broadway.

Wood: Yeah. It is amazing.

David: Sorry, I didn’t know Spider-Man was going to be on Broadway.

Do you plan on playing more leads in movies now?

David: Well, I think that would depend on the people who are producing the movies. I have’t been inundated with offers yet.

Is Woody Allen one of the only directors to get you to want to play the lead in a movie?

David: No, I don’t think so. If there was something that appealed to me, I would definitely consider it.

Whatever Works will be in theaters on June 19th.

ADDED BONUS:

This was a press conference and the person asking this question has some trouble with the English language, and was not getting the question across to Larry. Normally I would cut this out, but I just found it too funny.

Did you prepare anything? Watching Woody Allen’s movies?

David: No, no, no. I didn’t want to do Woody Allen. I didn’t want to do Woody Allen but…

Did you hang our with a lot of Jewish people to prepare for the role?

Clarkson: I mean you never do that.

David: I’ve never done that. So, yes, that aspect was really unusual. I tried to find as many Jews as I could and be-friend them and talk to them and see what made them tick.

Clarkson: Didn’t you go back and you were bar mitzvah-ed again?

David: Oh, my God (laughing). I went back to Brooklyn and walked the streets and interviewed people, what’s it like being a Jew? How do you behave?

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