Posts tagged Interviews
Denzel Washington Interview For ‘Safe House’
Feb 6th
Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds co-star in the action-thriller ‘Safe House.’ Washington plays the CIA’s most dangerous traitor, who stuns the intelligence community when he surfaces in South Africa. When the safe house to which he’s remanded is attacked by brutal mercenaries, a rookie (Reynolds) is forced to help him escape. As the masterful manipulator toys with his reluctant protégé, the young operative finds his morality tested and idealism shaken. Now, they must stay alive long enough to uncover who wants them dead. Directed by Daniel Espinosa, ’Safe House’ co-stars Nora Arnezeder, Vera Farmiga, Ruben Blades, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Cunningham, Tim McGraw, Robert Patrick, and Sam Shepard. The film is due to hit cinemas February 10th in the US, and Febuary 24th in the UK. Look out for another interview with Denzel Washington for the films UK release date.
At the beginning, Ryan Reynolds’ character is very much an ideologue. However some of that slowly peals away as the movie moves along. Your character, Tobin Frost, his outlook is completely different…..
Denzel Washington: Yeah. I really enjoy how as the movie moves along, we peel away the layers of who these people are, the mind-games that are going on. I liken it to ‘Silence of the Lambs’ where this guy, this young kid, he’s trying to get in my head, and I’m all getting in his head – to the point where he doesn’t know what he’s thinking about.
Tobin Frost, he’s on his own, he’s a murderer, he’s a liar, he’s a sociopath, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to win. All he’s interested in is winning. I think that he’s been so isolated for so long, he doesn’t know how to feel, he doesn’t have feelings, he just knows how to use. He has no family, no relationships, he just uses people…..and drinks good wine (laughs). Making the money is not an important thing for him, I think winning is the important thing. The chance to manipulate this kid is winning, the chance to shove it up the CIA’s behind is winning for him. And he has no remorse about it.
Ryan Reynolds Interview For ‘Safe House’
Jan 30th
Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds co-star in the action-thriller ‘Safe House.’ Washington plays the CIA’s most dangerous traitor, who stuns the intelligence community when he surfaces in South Africa. When the safe house to which he’s remanded is attacked by brutal mercenaries, a rookie (Reynolds) is forced to help him escape. As the masterful manipulator toys with his reluctant protégé, the young operative finds his morality tested and idealism shaken. Now, they must stay alive long enough to uncover who wants them dead. Directed by Daniel Espinosa, ’Safe House’ co-stars Nora Arnezeder, Vera Farmiga, Ruben Blades, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Cunningham, Tim McGraw, Robert Patrick, and Sam Shepard. The film is due to hit cinemas February 10th in the US, and Febuary 24th in the UK. Look out for a more in-depth interview with Ryan Reynolds and the rest of the cast closer to the films release date.
Your character is very much an ideologue to begin with, that slowly breaks down over the course of the film….
Ryan Reynolds: Oh yeah. I feel like that line can blur between jingoism and idealism, a little bit. I think we start out, my character, as a God and country guy, he’s a patriot, he has that kind of mentality. But then layers of that are slowly pealed away, he has to deal with a lot of disillusionment. He sees that this job he signed up for is incredibly murderous and corrupt in a lot of ways. And then he’s seeing this sort of weird perverting mirror image of himself in this guy who’s much older and who’s been doing it a lot longer. I know for a fact, spending time with these guys that have been in the CIA for 30 or so years, that when you talk to them they started out with a real, ultra patriotic, idealism that really gets replaced by a kind of cynicism later. But part of that is because they’ve spent their entire life as a lie. They have to lie to their wife and children, for 20 or 30 years….I spoke to one guy who just revealed to his wife and children what he does for a living after 25 years, 25 years! That is amazing, I just asked, “What was the reaction like?” I was fascinated, and he replied, “Not good,” (laughs). It’s tough, because when you go to bed….all those details, it makes her wonder, “What was true? What was wasn’t?”
David Oyelewo & Terrence Howard Interview For ‘Red Tails’
Jan 19th
The thrilling true story of the Tuskegee Airmen comes to the big screen in this epic war adventure from executive producer George Lucas and first-time feature director Anthony Hemingway (Treme, The Wire). In the fire and chaos of World War II, the U.S. military recruits a fearless group of African-American fighter pilots to help reclaim the skies over Europe. Discriminated against both as citizens and as soldiers, the Tuskegee Airmen take flight in planes distinguished by distinctive red tails, and fight for their country. ‘Red Tails’ features a stellar cast in Cuba Gooding Jr, Terrence Howard, Bryan Cranston, Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Tristan Wilds, Cliff Smith aka Method Man, Kevin Phillips, Aml Ameen, Rick Otto, Lee Tergesen, Andre Royo, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelley, Marcus T. Paulk, Leslie Odom Jr., Michael B. Jordan and Daniela Ruah. The film is released in US cinemas January 20th. Expect a UK release date for the film soon.
You character is brash yet supremely talented…..
David Oyelewo: Yes. I guess the way I would describe Lightning is that he’s the hot head of the group. He’s also the best fighter pilot of the group. He’s a raw ball of talent, in a sense. He’s one of those rare guys who probably puts the least amount of work in, he’s just gifted. Part of his coming of age story is that he needs direction, he needs Easy, his friend, to guide him and advise him. He needs the character that Terrence Howard plays, in the shape of Colonel A.J. Bullard, to direct him. I think he embodies that thing that a lot of young people need, which is for someone to come alongside them and mentor them – and that is where they often get the example of greatness.
Clint Eastwood & Naomi Watts Interview For ‘J. Edgar’ – Released Friday In The UK
Jan 19th
During his lifetime, J. Edgar Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio) would rise to be the most powerful man in America. As head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for nearly 50 years, he would stop at nothing to protect his country. Through 8 presidents and 3 wars, Hoover waged battle against threats both real and perceived, often bending the rules to keep his countrymen safe. Hoover was a man who placed great value on secrets – particularly those of others – and was not afraid to use that information to exert authority over the leading figures in the nation.
Understanding that knowledge is power and fear poses opportunity, he used both to gain unprecedented influence and to build a reputation that was both formidable and untouchable. He was as guarded in his private life as he was in his public one, allowing only a small and protective inner circle into his confidence. His closest colleague, Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer), was also his constant companion. His secretary, Helen Gandy (Naomie Watts), who was perhaps most privy to Hoover’s designs, remained loyal to the end…and beyond. As seen through the eyes of Hoover himself, ‘J. Edgar’ explores the personal and public life and relationships of a man who could distort the truth as easily as he upheld it during a life devoted to his own idea of justice, often swayed by the darker side of power. Directed by Clint Eastwood, ‘J. Edgar’ also stars Judi Dench, Josh Lucas and Ken Howard. The film is released in cinemas January 20th in the UK.
What was the biggest challenge for you taking on this biopic, especially as it’s someone who’s as prominent and contentious as J. Edgar Hoover?
Clint Eastwood: Biopics bring their own set of problems, as far as how much you want to imitate or emulate the characters? But Hoover was a very important character, a controversial character, so with that it’s important to get it somewhat accurate. The actors all pretty much studied and read every biographical book or took in any piece of material they could find once they got the roles. I think they all enjoyed that, I think they enjoyed diving in on it.
Leonardo DiCaprio Interview For Clint Eastwood’s ‘J. Edgar’ – Released Friday In The UK
Jan 18th
During his lifetime, J. Edgar Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio) would rise to be the most powerful man in America. As head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for nearly 50 years, he would stop at nothing to protect his country. Through 8 presidents and 3 wars, Hoover waged battle against threats both real and perceived, often bending the rules to keep his countrymen safe. Hoover was a man who placed great value on secrets – particularly those of others – and was not afraid to use that information to exert authority over the leading figures in the nation.
Understanding that knowledge is power and fear poses opportunity, he used both to gain unprecedented influence and to build a reputation that was both formidable and untouchable. He was as guarded in his private life as he was in his public one, allowing only a small and protective inner circle into his confidence. His closest colleague, Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer), was also his constant companion. His secretary, Helen Gandy (Naomie Watts), who was perhaps most privy to Hoover’s designs, remained loyal to the end…and beyond. As seen through the eyes of Hoover himself, ‘J. Edgar’ explores the personal and public life and relationships of a man who could distort the truth as easily as he upheld it during a life devoted to his own idea of justice, often swayed by the darker side of power. Directed by Clint Eastwood, ‘J. Edgar’ also stars Judi Dench, Josh Lucas and Ken Howard. The film is released in cinemas January 20th in the UK.
What was the biggest challenge when taking on this role? I can’t think of many people over the last century who have been as important and controversial in American history.
Leonardo DiCaprio: The biggest challenge was something that was very clearly defined in the screenplay for me….not necessarily sympathise, but how do you emphasize with this human being, not even emphasize, but how do understand his motivations and how that manifested itself into politics? It was very intriguing to discover Dustin Lance Black’s screenplay, because for the first time I kind of understand what motivated him; at a very young age his mother wanted him to rise to great power in politics, to carry on the Hoover name to great glory. He was a young genius, he came into this bureau and really transformed the United States, really organised modern forensics, captured all the outlaws, really put a face on a federal system of police enforcement that to this day is incredibly intimidating.
Jeremy Irvine Interview For Steven Spielberg’s ‘War Horse’
Jan 12th
Jeremy Irvine makes his feature-film debut as Albert Narracott in Steven Spielberg‘s epic adventure ‘War Horse.’ The film begins with the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and Albert, who tames and trains him. When they are forcefully parted, the film follows the journey of the horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets—British cavalry, German soldiers, and a French farmer and his granddaughter—before the story reaches its emotional climax in the heart of No Man’s Land.
Jeremy Irvine is currently in production on BBC Films’ ‘Great Expectations,’ in which he stars as Pip, the classic Dickens story is directed by Mike Newell and includes Academy Award winner Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter. He recently completed production on the independent feature ‘Now Is Good,’ opposite Dakota Fanning, based on Jenny Downham’s novel “Before I Die.” Irvine will next begin shooting ‘The Railway Man’ opposite Colin Firth. The film is based on the WWII memoir by Eric Lomax, who was captured and tortured by the Japanese and forced to work on the infamous Burma Railway. Lomax will be portrayed by both Irvine and Firth at different ages. ‘War Horse’ is set for release January 13th.
Were you familiar with the book before you started shooting the film?
Jeremy Irvine: My Mum actually read me the book when I was about 10 or 11. I’ve got this very, very battered old copy, which I’ve had on my bookshelf since I was a child. I had not read the book in some 5 years, but when I was auditioning, there were things I remembered so clearly. In the first page I remembered a beautiful bit about Joey’s first memories being in dark stables and rats scuttling along the roof beams. For some reason, that stayed with me and had a big effect on me as a child. It’s just such a joy to be playing Albert now.