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Blue Crush 2: Interview

Christian Allaire — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:57:57 +0000

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‘Blue Crush 2,’ the highly anticipated sequel to the 2002 smash ‘Blue Crush’ starring Kate Bosworth and Michelle Rodriguez, was released on June 7 and I had the pleasure of sitting down with some of the cast and the director.

I meet Sasha Jackson and Ben Milliken, two of the film’s stars, and director Mike Elliot at ‘Hotel Le Germaine’ in Toronto. It’s clear they’re doing well for themselves, I mean, the hotel is swanky.

The first thing I tell them is that the movie actually surprised me – it was fun and, unlike many sequels, not horrible.

“Did you like it? Because we haven’t seen it yet,” says Jackson.

That must drive you crazy, I say. Imagine yourself being recorded and broadcast to a global audience without approving it. Terrifying right? To make matters worse, Jackson says she can’t stand to watch herself on screen.

“I don’t watch it as it’s me, I never have. But I will notice when I look like, ugly in a scene,” says Jackson. “I’m not good of an actress.”

Jackson has no reason to be tough on herself, though. The budding actress has appeared in everything from ‘One Tree Hill’ to larger film roles that are in the works.

Milliken, though, seems a little less used to fame. Well, at least according to director Elliot, who jokingly berates him for admitting he’s married. “Ben, you’re not supposed to let the little girls out there know that you’re married. The fantasy has to be maintained.”

“I’m terrible at this whole thing,” Milliken says.

As we continue the chat, Jackson admits that she had never been on a surfboard before the film and found it rather difficult to shoot the scenes she did.

“Every time you see me stand up and come off the board, that’s me. Not fall off the board, but [laughs] yes. Every time you see me fall and nearly die, that’s me.”

You can thank her stunt double, Rosy Hudge, for making her look like a pro surfer. In fact, the two look so alike that Jackson’s then-boyfriend mistook her for Sasha while filming, hugging her from behind. Talk about awkward.

Milliken says he’s been surfing his whole life, though (he grew up on Sydney’s northern beaches), which is funny as he only has one surfing scene in the film. Is he mad he couldn’t do more? You bet.

“It would have been fun to surf more, but I was doing as much actual surfing as everyone else,” says Milliken.

“Yes, he did get in the water a lot, it just wasn’t in the movie,” says Jackson.

I turn my attention to the director, Elliot. With a long resume including films like ‘The Eye,’ ‘Death Race 2,’ and ‘The Devil’s Rejects,’ a surfer movie seems a little out of place. What’s it like jumping from action and horror to a fun sport movie?

“Well, it’s all really pretty formulaic. What we do is take the bullets and the blood, and switch it out for bikinis and babes. And then just put it all in the same storyline, and set in on a beach instead of a race track or hell hole or something.”

As we end our short chat, our conversation is increasingly drowned out by the sound of nearby police sirens. Gotta love the city.

Not missing a beat, Jackson says “meanwhile, the police are coming to get us and we have been discovered… Kate Bosworth is actually gagged back there, because she nearly booked this role and she keeps trying to go to press about it, and I’m like ‘listen, Kate Bosworth, you can’t. What is this?’”

Ryan Gosling Turns Director

Christian Allaire — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:59:52 +0000

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Ryan Gosling is a critically acclaimed actor, but he’s now set to be much more than that. In fact, Gosling is going to be a major motion picture director.

Gosling will get behind the camera for an upcoming remake of the 1980 film ‘The Idolmaker,’ which is a biopic of famed music scout Bob Marcucci.

The original film was the major motion picture directorial debut for Taylor Hackford, who went on to direct ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ and ‘Ray,’ among others, and is now head of the Directors Guild of America. So, Gosling has some major shoes to fill.

Gosling is also set to act in the film, so he’ll really be directing himself.

It’ll be a busy few months for Gosling. He’ll be debuting his Steve Carell-costarring comedy ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love.,’ and his indie thriller ‘Drive,’ and has recently wrapped work on the political film ‘The Ides of March’ with George Clooney.

Hey, if James Franco can do it, so can he. He seems like an intelligent guy, and people often say to be a director you need to have previously acted, so this is perfect for him.

James Franco To Direct Theater

Christian Allaire — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:52:03 +0000

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James Franco certainly is a man of many talents.

This time around, Franco is making his debut as a dance theater director for the upcoming multimedia show ‘Collage,’ reports CNN. First he’s an actor, then Ivy League student, then Oscars host, and now theater director? Impressive!

“‘Collage’ is a mixed-media piece that uses sound and visuals to play with the idea of how different art mediums interact,” producer John Morrow says of the show, which will run at the Stella Adler studios in NYC from May 8 -15. “Using video, dance, poetry, theater and music, we have created a performance that will be an engaging experience for the audience.”

“The piece is so exhilarating because there are no boundaries to what we can create and play with,” says actress Nina Ljeti.

Adds choreographer Chloe Kernaghan, “The overall piece has been a continuous exploration of how using disparate elements can create a cohesive idea.”

Franco will appear live at each performance to narrate the production. This also isn’t the first time Franco has produced a musical number. He recently put on ‘James Franco Presents’ at Yale University, so he has the experience.

Bravo to him. If you have the power to explore different realms, then by all means do it. He’s talented at pretty much everything he does, so I’m sure the play will be a success.

Martin Scorcese Wants To Work With Rupert Grint

Sara Harowitz — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 19:19:48 +0000

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We’re not sure we see this one, but hey, Martin Scorsese knows a heck of a lot better than we do.

The legendary film director has said that he believes Rupert Grint, known more commonly as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter movies, could be the next big thing in male acting, reports PerezHilton.

“I thought [Grint] was a great actor in the Harry Potter movies,” Scorsese reportedly told sources. “In a lot of scenes, the boy stole the show.”

Scorsese explains the importance of branching out into different roles to avoid risk of being typecast as Ron Weasley forever.

“He will always have respect for the movies that gave him such a huge break, but at his age it’s important he doesn’t become a typecast,” the director said. “He has to do something really out of his comfort zone in the next few years – play a gangster, play a dirty cop, play a kid with learning difficulties. I would be interested in working with him.”

“I would have no issues casting him as a gangster, he is a very talented young man,” he continued. “When Leo [DiCaprio] was in Titanic and Romeo and Juliet, nobody saw him becoming a bad ass in movies like The Departed. But he has become one of the greatest actors of all time. The very same could be true for Rupert.”

Strong words from an important man! Pressure’s on, Rupert!

Megan Fox Says She Chose To Leave ‘Transformers 3′

andPOP Staff — Thu, 20 May 2010 17:26:50 +0000

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Megan Fox claims that she chose to leave “Transformers 3″ and that she was not fired.

Fox’s representative said the following in a press release:

“Megan Fox will not be starring in Transformers 3. It was her decision not to return. She wishes the franchise the best.”

Rumors are circulating that Fox was actually pushed out of the franchise after making some derogatory comments about director Michael Bay, comparing him to Hitler.

How To Train Your Dragon 3D Interviews – It Made Jordan Cry

andPOP Staff — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:39:31 +0000

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As well all know Jordan is a man’s man. Women and men both love him because he is strong and charming. But Jordan does have a weak side – and How To Train Your Dragon made Jordan cry. Yes a 3D animation brings tears to his eyes. He talked about this emotional roller coaster with the directors of the film.

Kathryn Bigelow Becomes First Woman to Win Best Director

Graham Slaughter — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:53:09 +0000

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“Well, the time has come!” announced actress Barbra Streisand as she pulled the winner’s name out of the small white envelope.

Last night at the Oscars, history was made as Kathryn Bigelow became the first female director to win an Academy Award for directing The Hurt Locker.

Bigelow beat out Canadian ex-husband James Cameron, director of Avatar, to win both Best Director and Best Picture. In addition, her nomination last night was the very first time she was recognized by the academy.

Bigelow’s voice shook with emotion as she spoke to the Hollywood Kodak Theatre packed with Hollywood’s biggest and brightest.

“There is no other way to describe it but the moment of a lifetime.”

Other first-time nominees that won an Oscar last night include Sandra Bullock for Best Actress (The Blind Side), Monique for Best Supporting Actress (Precious), and Jeff Bridges for Best Actor (Crazy Heart.)

James Cameron Fail

andPOP Staff — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 19:35:15 +0000

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We really hope James Cameron was just having a bad day and he is not a huge prick like this normally. A TMZ cameraman caught Cameron and a fan in a war of words after Cameron refused to sign an autograph. From what the video is showing, we are siding with the fan. James Cameron you fail.

Third Twilight Film Finds Director

Eva Lam — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:00:40 +0000

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Following months of speculation, Summit Entertainment has confirmed that “30 Days of Night” helmer David Slade will direct “Eclipse,” the third installment of the hit “Twilight” franchise.

The movie, which is scheduled for release on June 30, 2010, will be adapted from Stephenie Meyer’s vampire-romance novel by Melissa Rosenberg, who also scripted “Twilight” and its sequel, “New Moon.”

“Stephenie Meyer’s ‘Eclipse’ is a muscular, rich, vivid book, and we at Summit looked long and hard for a director who could do it justice,” the studio’s president of production Erik Feig said in a statement. “We believe we have found that talent in David Slade, a director who has been able to create complex, visually arresting worlds.”

Those familiar with Slade’s past work will note it’s not the first time he is taking on the subject of vampires. The 2007 horror film “30 Days of Night,” based on a comic book miniseries, starred Josh Harnett in a grim tale of an Alaskan town beset by vicious bloodsuckers.

The British director, who started out in music videos, made his feature film debut with the 2005 revenge thriller “Hard Candy,” starring Ellen Page and Patrick Wilson.

“I am thrilled that David Slade will be directing ‘Eclipse,’ ” Meyer said in the statement. “He’s a visionary filmmaker who has so much to offer this franchise. From the beginning, we’ve been blessed with wonderful directorial talent for the ‘Twilight’ saga, and I’m so happy that ‘Eclipse’ will be carrying on with that tradition.”

The second “Twilight” movie, “New Moon,” is currently in production with director Chris Weitz and will hit theatres Nov. 20.

Drew Barrymore Won’t See The Twilight

Jennifer Brooks — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:30:10 +0000

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Contrary to recent reports and hope from Drew Barrymore’s fans, the actress will not be directing the third installment of the Twilight Vampire series.

Instead of Barrymore, Spanish director, Juan Antonio Bayona has landed the director gig and will begin filming “Eclipse,” which is set to be an exciting addition to the Vampire narrative, Us Magazine reports.

Barrymore will make her directorial debut later this year with a comedic film called “Whip It.” The film takes an inside look into the rapidly growing sport of Roller Derby, which has been making a vicious and popular comeback in the last year. Filmschoolrejects.com reports that “it’s a coming-of-age tale about a girl who finds her identity through the power of roller derby, based on Shauna Cross’ novel, Derby Girl.” Juliette Lewis and Ellen Page will star in the film.

So far, each installment of Twilight has opted for a different director, making each film an entity in its own right.

‘X-Files’ Director Dies

Ilan Mester — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:03:00 +0000

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Established director and TV producer who directed over 50 episodes of ”The X-Files” and episodes of “Supernatural” died on Sunday in Los Angeles at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center from lung cancer.

Kim Manners started in showbiz as a director and production manager for “Charlie’s Angels” in the 70’s. He later went on to work on series like “21 Jump Street,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Baywatch” and later went on to direct the “X-Files” for which he received four Emmy nods due to his work on the show.

“Kim had a blazing intensity that inspired everyone—writers, producers, actors and crew…as long as he’d been a director, he never lost his passion for his work. Every time he got a script, he gave it his all,” said Frank Spotnitz, writer and producer of “The X-Files,” on his blog.

Eric Kripke, writer and producer for “Supernatural,” released a statement saying, “”Everyone at Supernatural is walking around in a daze, shocked and absolutely devastated”.

Guillermo Del Toro in Talks to Direct ‘Hobbit’

andPOP Staff — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:07:33 +0000

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Guillermo Del Toro may have won a ticket to Middle Earth.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the filmmaker is in talks to take the reigns from Peter Jackson and direct “The Hobbit.” The J.R.R. Tolkien novel will reportedly be split into two films, with Jackson producing.

Del Toro has already built a strong following in the science fiction and fantasy crowd, with the Oscar-nominated “Pan’s Labyrinth” and cult hit “Hellboy.”

Jackson, who co-wrote and directed the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, is already committed to several other projects, so he will not be able to write the “Hobbit” script. The process of picking a writer will be fast-tracked once the Writer’s Guild of America strike has been resolved.

In the meantime, Del Toro already has a full plate with 12 projects in various stages of development.