Categories
Cinema Interviews Podcast

Interview: Garth Jennings, Jessica Hynes, Will Poulter and Bill Milner on Son of Rambow

Son of Rambow

Son of Rambow is a charming coming-of-age tale set in the 1980s about two young boys who make their own short film after seeing Sylvester Stallone as Rambo in First Blood.

I recently spoke with the director Garth Jennings, Jessica Hynes and the two young leads Bill Milner and Will Poulter.

Listen to the interviews here:

[audio:http://filmdetail.receptionmedia.com/Garth_Jennings_Jessica_Hynes_Bill_Milner_and_Will_Poulter_on_Son_of_Rambow.MP3]

Download it as a podcast via iTunes by clicking the image below:

Check out the trailer here:

Son of Rambow is out at UK cinemas this Friday and US cinemas on May 2nd

> Download these interviews as an MP3 file
> Garth Jennings, Bill Milner, Will Poulter and Jessica Hynes at the IMDb
> Official site for Hammer and Tongs – the production company behind the film
> Find out more about the original Rambo at Wikipedia
> Check out the official site of the Rex Cinema in Berkhamstead where some of the film was shot (and where I saw films in the 80s as a kid)
> Get showtimes for Son of Rambow via Google Movies

Categories
Cinema Interviews

Interview: Chris Coen on Funny Games

Funny Games posterIn 1997, director Michael Haneke made Funny Games – a disturbing but memorable film about a middle class family terrorised by two young sociopaths.

In 2005, producer Chris Coen approached Haneke with the idea to remake the film in English and he agreed to direct this new US version.

It stars Naomi Watts and Tim Roth as the married couple, Devon Gearhart as their young son and Michael Pitt and Brady Corbet as the mysterious men who turn up at their holiday home.

I spoke to Chris recently about various aspects of the film including: how the remake came about, the recent reception certain US critics gave the film and the challenges of remaking it shot-for-shot.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:http://filmdetail.receptionmedia.com/Chris_Coen_on_Funny_Games.MP3]

To download the interview as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:

Funny Games is out at UK cinemas this Friday

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> The official site for Funny Games
> Buy the original Funny Games on DVD from Amazon UK
> Chris Coen and Michael Haneke at the IMDb
> John Wray’s lengthy profile of Michael Haneke in the New York Times last September
> A previous post on the US critical reaction to the film

Categories
DVD & Blu-ray Interviews Podcast

Interview: David Sington on In the Shadow of the Moon

One of the best documentaries to come out last year was In the Shadow of the Moon, which explores the Apollo space missions in the late 60s and early 70s.

Containing interviews with the surviving Apollo era astronauts, including Al Bean, Michael Collins, Buzz Aldrin, Charlie Duke, and Harrison Schmitt, it also contains previously unseen NASA footage from the time.

I spoke recently to director David Sington about the film and we discussed a number of things including who came up with the idea for the documentary, the legacy of the Apollo program and the reception the film in the US.

You can listen to the interview here:

Or here:

[audio:http://filmdetail.receptionmedia.com/David_Sington_on_In_the_Shadow_of_the_Moon.MP3]

To download the interview as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:

In the Shadow of the Moon is out on DVD on Monday 31st March

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Buy the DVD from Amazon UK
> The official site for In the Shadow of the Moon
> David Sington at the IMDb
> Find out more about the Apollo space missions at Wikipedia

Categories
Cinema Interviews

Interview: Andy Serkis, Paul Andrew Williams, Jennifer Ellison and Reese Shearsmith on The Cottage

The new horror comedy The Cottage is out in UK cinemas this week and I recently caught up with some of the cast and the director to talk about the film.

Paul Andrew Williams (writer-director), Reese Shearsmith, Jennifer Ellison and Andy Serkis

Andy Serkis is best known for playing Gollum in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the title character in King Kong.

Paul Andrew Williams is a writer-director who came to prominence last year with the low budget London to Brighton and this is his second feature film.

Jennifer Ellison came to fame as an actress on the TV series Brookside and was in the 2004 film version of The Phantom of the Opera.

Reese Shearsmith is best known for his work in the cult TV show The League of Gentlemen and has also been in Shaun of the Dead and the TV series Spaced.

Listen to the interviews here:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2008-03-13-70743.mp3]

To download the interview as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:

The Cottage is out at cinemas this Friday

> Download these interviews as an MP3 file
> The official site for The Cottage
> Andy Serkis, Paul Andrew Williams, Jennifer Ellison and Reese Shearsmith at the IMDb

Categories
Interviews

Interview: Barry Norman on United Artists


United Artists are re-releasing some of their famous back catalogue on DVD in the build up to their 90th birthday celebrations next year.

I spoke recently with film critic Barry Norman about the history of the studio, which was founded in 1919 by Mary Pickford, Charles Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and D. W. Griffith.

We discuss the highs and lows of the studio and some of the key films and filmmakers who worked at United Artists, as well as Barry’s career reviewing films on British TV.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:http://filmdetail.receptionmedia.com/Barry_Norman_on_United_Artists.mp3]

To download the interview as a podcast via iTunes, just click the image below:

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Official site for United Artists
> An article by David Thomson in The Guardian on the studio
> Find out more about United Artists at Wikipedia
> See Barry interview Woody Allen for the BBC in 1995

A range of classic United Artists films are out on DVD, but the one’s I’d recommend would include:

Categories
Cinema Interviews Podcast

Interview: Pete Travis and Matthew Fox on Vantage Point

Pete Travis (left) and Matthew Fox (right)This week sees the release of conspiracy thriller Vantage Point, which is directed by Pete Travis and stars Matthew Fox, William Hurt, Forest Whitaker and Sigourney Weaver.

I spoke to Pete about what the film is about, whether bad times make for good movies, moving from docu-dramas to a mainstream thriller like this and the release of his previous film Omagh on DVD.

With Matthew I discussed his character, the choice of Pete as director and how Lost (in which he plays the character of Jack Shepherd) has been affected by the recent writer’s strike.

Listen to the interviews below:

[audio:http://filmdetail.receptionmedia.com/Pete_Travis_and_Matthew_Fox_on_Vantage_Point.MP3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:

Vantage Point is out now in UK cinemas

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Get local show times for Vantage Point via Google Movies
> Check out Pete Travis and Matthew Fox at the IMDb
> Fansite for Matthew Fox

Categories
DVD & Blu-ray Essential Films Film of the Week Interviews

Interview: Stuart Cooper on Overlord

Overlord on DVDIn 1975 director Stuart Cooper made Overlord – a drama about a soldier in the run up to the D-Day landings.

What makes the film unique is that it was filmed with the help of the Imperial War Museum and uses documentary footage from their vast archive, set against the central narrative.

Starring Brian Stirner, Davyd Harries, Nicholas Ball and Julie Neesam it is now being re-released on DVD after showing to great acclaim at the Telluride Film Festvial in 2006 and a short run at the ICA in London last month.

It was then that I spoke with Stuart Cooper about the film and you can listen to the interview here:

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:

Overlord is out now on DVD from Metrodome

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Buy Overlord on DVD from Amazon UK
> An article by Stuart Cooper in The Guardian about the re-release of Overlord
> Roger Ebert reviews the film in 2006
> Various reviews of Overlord at Metacritic

Categories
Cinema Interviews Podcast

Interview: Catherine Owens on U2 3D

U2 3D PosterCatherine Owens is the director of U2 3D, the new concert film featuring the Irish band.

Filmed on the Vertigo tour in 2006, it uses new 3D technology in order to recreate their live show.

I spoke with her recently about her history with U2, how the idea of doing a 3D film came about, working with the band members, how this differs from previous 3D films and a lot more besides.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:http://filmdetail.receptionmedia.com/Catherine_Owens_on_U2_3D.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:

U2 3D is currently on general release at cinemas in the UK and US.

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Official site for U2 3D
> The official blog for the film
> Check out previews clips of the film
> Get local cinema show times via Google Movies

Categories
Cinema Interviews Podcast

Interview: Uma Thurman on The Accidental Husband

Uma Thurman in The Accidental HusbandSince coming to prominence in the late 80s in films like Dangerous Liaisons and Henry and June, Uma Thurman went on to star in films such as Pulp Fiction, Gattaca, The Golden Bowl and the Kill Bill movies.

Her latest role is in The Accidental Husband, a romantic comedy in which she stars as a radio talk show host in New York.

Directed by Griffin Dunne, it also stars Colin Firth, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Sam Shepherd.

I spoke with her recently about the film, which is out in the UK on Friday.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:http://filmdetail.receptionmedia.com/Uma_Thurman_on_The_Accidental_Husband.MP3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Uma Thurman at the IMDb
> Check out the trailer for The Accidental Husband
> Get local cinema show times via Google Movies

Categories
DVD & Blu-ray Interviews Podcast

Interview: Vincent Cassel on Eastern Promises

Vincent Cassel in Eastern PromisesSince his breakthrough role in Mathieu Kassovitz’s La Haine, Vincent Cassel has gone on to star in a variety of European films such as L’Appartement and Irréversible.

He has also appeared in a number of Hollywood productions such as Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen, Derailed, Birthday Girl, Elizabeth and Shrek (he was the voice of Monsieur Hood).

His latest film is Eastern Promises, a dark tale of Russian gangsters in London, directed by David Cronenberg and co-starring Naomi Watts, Viggo Mortensen and Armin Mueller-Stahl.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:http://filmdetail.receptionmedia.com/Vincent_Cassell_on_Eastern_Promises.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:


Eastern Promises
is out now on DVD

> Buy Eastern Promises on DVD from Amazon UK
> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Vincent Cassel at the IMDb
> Official website for Eastern Promises
> Listen to our interview with director David Cronenberg about Eastern Promises

Categories
Cinema Interviews Podcast

Interview: Sylvester Stallone on Rambo

RamboThe new Rambo film opens in the UK this week and I recently spoke to Sylvester Stallone about reprising the role.

Set amidst the backdrop of unrest in Burma, the film sees John Rambo go to the aid of a group of Christian missionaries captured by army rebels.

We discuss why older film characters (like John McClane, Indiana Jones and Rambo) are making a return to cinema screens, the real life backdrop to this film, the appeal of Rambo and his love of golf.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:http://filmdetail.receptionmedia.com/Sylvester_Stallone_on_Rambo.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:


Rambo is out at UK cinemas nationwide from Friday

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Sylvester Stallone at the IMDb
> Official website for Rambo
> Get local showtimes for this film via Google Movies

Categories
Cinema Interviews Podcast

Interview: Hayden Christensen and Rachel Bilson on Jumper

Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen in Jumper

I recently spoke to Hayden Christensen and Rachel Bilson about their roles in the new sci-fi film Jumper.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2008-02-14-81429.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:


Jumper
opens today at cinemas nationwide

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Hayden Christensen and Rachel Bilson at the IMDb
> Official website for Jumper
> Get local showtimes for this film via Google Movies

TM and © 2008 Twentieth Century Fox and Regency Enterprises. All Rights Reserved.

Categories
Awards Season Interviews

Interview: Amanda Berry of BAFTA

The Orange British Academy Film AwardsThe Orange British Academy Film Awards – also known as the BAFTAs – take place this Sunday and it is the showpiece event of the UK film calendar.

Amanda Berry is the chief executive of BAFTA and I recently spoke to her about: the awards event; the changes she has made since the late 90s; how it fits in to the awards season; how the nomination process works, what the BAFTA organisation does around the year; and the films up for nomination.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:http://filmdetail.receptionmedia.com/Amanda_Berry_BAFTA_Interview_2008.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:

UK viewers can see the awards show on BBC1 this Sunday at 9pm and for more information just visit their official website at www.bafta.org/awards

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> The full BAFTA nominations for this year
> Watch some of the highlights from last year at BAFTA’s site

Categories
Cinema Interviews Podcast

Interview: Paul Haggis on In The Valley of Elah

Paul HaggisAfter the success of Million Dollar Baby and Crash, writer-director Paul Haggis has turned his attention to the Iraq War with his latest drama In the Valley of Elah.

Based on true events, it tells the story of a soldier named Mike Deerfield who goes missing after returning from Iraq in late 2004.

His father, Hank Deerfield (Tommy Lee Jones), is a retired war veteran who goes to a New Mexico airbase to investigate what has happened, with the help of a local detective (Charlize Theron).

Tommy Lee Jones this week receieved an Oscar nomination in the Best Actor category for his performance.

Paul spoke to me recently about what inspired the film, the box office failure of recent films about the war on terror and the WGA strike that is affecting Hollywood.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:http://filmdetail.receptionmedia.com/Paul_Haggis_on_In_the_Valley_of_Elah.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:



In The Valley of Elah is out in UK cinemas on Jan 25th

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Paul Haggis at the IMDb
> Official website for In the Valley of Elah
> Get local showtimes for this film via Google Movies

Categories
Awards Season Cinema Interviews Podcast

Interview: Kelly Macdonald on No Country for Old Men

Kelly MacdonaldThe Coen Brothers have returned with No Country for Old Men – an adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s 2005 novel and now the most critically acclaimed film of the year.

Set in West Texas it is the story of a hunter named Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) who stumbles across a suitcase of cash after a drug deal gone wrong.

He is then pursued by a ruthless hitman (Javier Bardem) whilst a local sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones) tries to keep up with them.

Kelly Macdonald plays Llewelyn’s wife, Carla Jean, who is also forced into hiding whilst her husband is on the run.

I spoke to her recently about the film, how she got cast, what it is like working with the Coens and the performances of her fellow actors in the film.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:http://filmdetail.receptionmedia.com/Kelly_McDonald_on_No_Country_For_Old_Men.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:



No Country for Old Men
is out in UK cinemas on Jan 18th

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Kelly Macdonald at the IMDb
> Official website for No Country for Old Men
> Get local showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Categories
Cinema Interviews

Interview: Hilary Swank on P.S. I Love You

Hilary Swank on P.S. I Love YouIn recent years Hilary Swank has won two Oscars for her work in Boys Don’t Cry (1999) and Million Dollar Baby (2004), as well as appearing in films such as Insomnia (2002) and Freedom Writers (2007).

Her latest film is P.S. I Love You, an adaptation of Cecilia Ahern’s novel about a woman who has to deal with the death of her husband (Gerard Butler).

She discovers that he has left her a series of letters to read after he is gone that help her come to terms with his death and her life.

We spoke about the film, the whole business of the awards season and working with Gerard Butler.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2008-01-04-93502.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:



P.S. I Love
is out now at UK cinemas

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Check out Hilary Swank at the IMDb
> Official website for P.S. I Love You
> Get local showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Categories
Cinema Interviews Podcast

Interview: St Trinian’s Cast

In this interview we speak to Gemma Arterton, Talulah Riley, Rupert Everett and Colin Firth about their roles in the new St Trinian’s film.

Gemma Arterton & Talulah Riley / Colin Firth & Rupert Everett

Listen to the interviews here:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-12-21-12524.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:



St Trinian’s
is out now at UK cinemas

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Check out Gemma Arterton, Talulah Riley, Rupert Everett and Colin Firth at the IMDb
> Official website for St Trinian’s
> Find out more about the history of St Trinian’s at Wikipedia
> Get local showtimes for St Trinian’s at Google Movies

Categories
Cinema Interviews Podcast

Interview: Simon J Smith on Bee Movie

Simon J Smith - Director of Bee MovieThe new animated film Bee Movie comes out this week and I recently interviewed one of the directors, Simon J Smith.

It tells the story of a bee (voiced by Jerry Seinfeld) who ventures out from his hive into the real world, where he meets a florist named Vanessa (voiced by Renee Zellwegger) and ends up getting involved in the world of humans.

It also features the voices of Matthew Broderick, Megan Mullally, John Goodman, Chris Rock, Kathy Bates, Oprah Winfrey and Eddie Izzard.

We speak about the plot of the film, how a random conversation in the Hamptons between Steven Spielberg and Jerry Seinfeld led to the movie being made, how he got hired and the process of making a big budget animated film.

Listen to the interview:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-12-13-93245.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:


Bee Movie opens in the UK on Friday 14th December

> Download this interview as an MP3
> Get local showtimes for Bee Movie at Google Movies
> Simon J Smith at the IMDb
> Official UK site for Bee Movie
> Watch Jerry Seinfeld remind Larry King on CNN that Seinfeld was never cancelled

Categories
Interviews News

Paul Haggis on the Writers’ Strike

I spoke with writer and director Paul Haggis in London recently about his latest film In the Valley of Elah.

Paul Haggis on the picket line / Original photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/gwhitta/1937696405/

I’ll put the full interview up next month nearer the UK release of that film but I also asked him a couple of questions about the current WGA strike and the online video he recently made for the Speechless Without Writers project.

Listen to his thoughts here:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-12-11-18471.MP3]

If you want to check out his video for the Speechless project it is here:

In the Valley of Elah is out in the UK on January 18th.

> Download an MP3 of this interview
> Check out Speechless Without Writers
> Get the latest news on the strike from Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood Daily blog and trade bible Variety
> Check out other videos and blog posts from the WGA at United Hollywood
> Paul Haggis at the IMDb
> Find out more about In the Valley of Elah at the official site for the film

(Original photo and more of the WGA strike can be found at the Flickr stream of gwhitta)

Categories
Cinema Festivals Interviews Podcast

Interview: Carlos Reygadas on Silent Light

Carlos Reygadas at the LFF Screening of Silent Light

Back in October during the London Film Festival I spoke to Mexican director Carlos Reygadas about his latest film Silent Light.

It opened in selected UK cinemas this week and is a visually stunning drama set in the Mennonite community in Northern Mexico.

It was presented in a gala screening at the Odeon West End and I spoke to Carlos the day after about the film and how it went down with the London audience.

Listen to the interview by clicking below:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-10-24-65220.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:



Silent Light
is out now at selected UK cinemas

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Check out which cinemas near you are showing the film via Google Movies
> The official website for Silent Light
> Carlos Reygadas at the IMDb
> Manohla Dargis of the NY Times with her review of the film at Cannes

(Photo: Getty Images)

Categories
Cinema Interviews

Timothy Olyphant on Hitman

Timothy Olyphant in HitmanWe last saw him as the villian in Die Hard 4.0 but actor Timothy Olyphant is back in a new action movie called Hitman.

Based on the popular computer game it sees him as the enigmatic Agent 47 – an assassin for hire who kills on behalf of a mysterious organisation called The Agency.

We speak about the plot of the movie, the hardest thing about the role, filming in Bulgaria and other projects he has in the pipeline.

Directed by Xavier Gens, Hitman also stars Dougray Scott, Olga Kurylenko and Robert Knepper.

Have a listen to the interview by clicking below:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-11-29-75159.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:


Hitman
opens in UK cinemas this Friday

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Official UK site for Hitman
> Get local showtimes for your area via Google Movies
> Find out more about the Hitman game at Wikipedia
> Timothy Olyphant at the IMDb
> Listen to our Die Hard 4.0 interview with Timothy back in the summer

Categories
Cinema Interviews Podcast

Werner Herzog on Rescue Dawn

Werner Herzog directing Christian Bale and Steve Zahn in Rescue Dawn

In a career spanning over 40 years director Werner Herzog has created some of the most remarkable films in modern cinema.

From his early works like Signs of Life, his collaborations with actor Klaus Kinski (Aguirre: Wrath of God, Nosferatu and Fitzcarraldo), dramas such as Heart of Glass and Stroszek, through to more recent films like Grizzly Man, he has demonstrated a remarkable ability to create dazzling cinema in extreme circumstances.

His latest film is Rescue Dawn, which is the story of Dieter Dengler, a German-born US fighter pilot who was shot down over Laos during the Vietnam war. He was a POW for several months before somehow managing to escape after an epic struggle through the jungle.

He first covered the story in his 1997 documentary Little Dieter Needs to Fly and now Rescue Dawn is a feature film of the same story with Christian Bale in the lead role of Dengler.

I spoke with Werner in London recently about the film and other aspects of his career.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:http://filmdetail.receptionmedia.com/Werner_Herzog_on_Rescue_Dawn.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:

Rescue Dawn opens in UK cinemas on Friday 23rd November

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Official site of Werner Herzog
> Check out reviews of Rescue Dawn at Metacritic
> Find out more about Herzog’s career at the All Movie Guide
> A lengthy Senses of Cinema essay on Herzog by David Church
> See Werner get shot at during a BBC interview with Mark Kermode
> A collection of photos from the set of Rescue Dawn on Flickr

Categories
DVD & Blu-ray Interviews Podcast

Neil Innes and Carol Cleveland on Monty Python

Carol and NeilThis week sees the release of a new batch of Monty Python DVD titles including Monty Python’s The Life Of Brian: The Immaculate Edition and Monty Python Live At The Hollywood Bowl.

I recently spoke to Neil Innes and Carol Cleveland about the DVD releases and their roles in the world of Monty Python. Both worked closely with the legendary comic outfit on numerous projects.

Neil played a major role in performing and writing songs and sketches for Monty Python’s Flying Circus, wrote the songs for Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and appeared in the film as a head-bashing monk, the serf crushed by the giant wooden rabbit, and the leader of Sir Robin’s minstrels.

He also performed with the Pythons on stage, including at their legendary Hollywood Bowl concert where he performed the songs “How Sweet to Be an Idiot” and “I’m the Urban Spaceman.” He would go on to work with Eric Idle on the Python-esque sketch show Rutland Weekend Television, which spawned The Rutles (the “prefab four”), a Beatles parody band, in which Innes played the character of Ron Nasty.

Carol performed various roles with the Pythons in “Monty Python’s Flying Circus”, Live at The Hollywood Bowl, Life of Brian, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail and has been referred to as “The Female Python”.

Have a listen to our interview here:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-11-09-24557.mp3]



> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Neil Innes and Carol Cleveland at the IMDb
> Pythonline

Categories
Interviews London Film Festival Podcast

London Film Festival 2007: Michael Pena and Andrew Garfield on Lions for Lambs

Lions for Lambs had its world premiere last week at the London Film Festival and I recently spoke to two of the actors in the film, Michael Pena and Andrew Garfield.

Michael Pena and Andrew Garfield

It is a political drama dealing with the current war on terror by focusing on three interconnected stories: a Senator (Tom Cruise) briefs a journalist (Meryl Streep) about a new government strategy for Afghanistan conflict; a college professor (Robert Redford) tries to awaken a promising but apathetic student (Andrew Garfield); and two US soldiers (Michael Pena and Derek Luke) become stranded on an Afghan mountain.

Directed by Redford, it is the first film under the new United Artists studio which Cruise now runs with Paula Wagner after his departure last year from Paramount.

Listen to the interviews by clicking below:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-11-01-89929.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:

It opens in the UK on Friday 9th November.

> Download these interviews as an MP3 file
> Find out more about Lions for Lambs at the official LFF website
> Lions for Lambs YouTube channel

Categories
DVD & Blu-ray Interviews Podcast

Ken Loach Interview

Ken LoachKen Loach has been one of England’s best and most important directors for many years.

Since making his mark in the 60s with the landmark TV dramas Cathy Come Home and Up the Junction, he has show a keen and uncompromising ability to tackle social issues head on in his films.

They have ranged from adolescence (Kes), Northern Ireland (Hidden Agenda), builders (Riff-Raff), the Spanish Civil War (Land and Freedom), the social services (Ladybird, Ladybird), alcoholism (My Name is Joe) and the plight of Californian workers (Bread and Roses).

I spoke with Ken recently about his latest film It’s A Free World and the release of The Ken Loach Collection which is out now on DVD in two volumes.

Have a listen to the interview by clicking below:

[audio:http://filmdetail.receptionmedia.com/Ken_Loach_Interview.MP3]

You can also download this interview as a podcast via iTunes by clicking here

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Ken Loach at the IMDb
> Find out more about Ken’s career at Screen Online
> Senses of Cinema essay on Ken by Mike Robins
> Buy The Ken Loach Collection on DVD at Amazon UK

Categories
Interviews London Film Festival Podcast

London Film Festival 2007: Carlos Reygadas on Silent Light

Silent Light is the latest film from Mexican director Carlos Reygadas and explores a love triangle in the Mennonite community in Northern Mexico.

Carlos Reygadas at the LFF Screening of Silent Light

It was presented in a gala screening this week at the Odeon West End and I spoke to Carlos the day after about the film and how it went down with the London audience.

Listen to the interview by clicking below:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-10-24-65220.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:



Silent Light
opens in the UK on Friday 7th December.

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Check out listing and events via the official site for the London Film Festival
> The official website for Silent Light
> Carlos Reygadas at the IMDb
> Manohla Dargis of the NY Times with her review of the film at Cannes

(Photo: Getty Images)

Categories
Cinema Film of the Week Interviews

John Carney on Once

John Carney - Director of OnceThe new film Once is out at UK cinemas this weekend and I recently spoke to director John Carney about the film.

It is a charming tale of the relationship between a Dublin busker (Glen Hansard) and a Czech girl (Marketa Irglova) he meets on the street.

Featuring a lot of songs by Hansard and Irglova, it is a music film without being a musical and was a big hit at Sundance back in January.

So much so in fact that Fox Searchlight released it and the film won a lot of fans, including none other than Steven Spielberg who said:

“A little movie called Once gave me enough inspiration to last the rest of the year.”

I spoke with John about the making of the film and the success it has enjoyed over the last few months.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:http://filmdetail.receptionmedia.com/John_Carney_on_Once.MP3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:


Once
is out now at selected UK cinemas

> Download this interview as an MP3
> Get local showtimes for Once via Google Movies
> Check out reviews of the film at Metacritic

Categories
Cinema Interviews London Film Festival

London Film Festival 2007: David Cronenberg on Eastern Promises

David CronenbergDavid Cronenberg has been exploring the darker edges of human nature for over 30 years and his latest film Eastern Promises opens the London Film Festival tonight.

He first came to prominence in the 1970s with films such as Shivers (1975) and Rabid (1977) and in the 80s broke through in to the mainstream with memorable films such as Scanners (1981), Videodrome (1983), The Dead Zone (1983), The Fly (1986) and Dead Ringers (1988).

Since the 1990s he has attempted ambitious literary adaptations with Naked Lunch (1991), M. Butterfly (1993), Crash (1996), eXistenZ (1999) and Spider (2002).

Two years ago, he made A History of Violence which starred Viggo Mortensen as a man whose mysterious past comes back to revisit him. It gained a number of richly deserved awards and critical plaudits.

Eastern Promises also stars Mortensen in the lead role. However, this film explores the murky world of the Russian Mafia in London after a midwife (Naomi Watts) finds the diary of girl who has died in her hospital.

I spoke with David today just a few hours before his latest film opened the festival and you can listen to it below:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-10-17-72727.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:


Eastern Promises
opens in general release in the UK on Friday 26th October

Note: The football match we mention at the end of the interview finished Russia 2-1 England

> Download this interview as an MP3
> Check out listing and events via the official site for the London Film Festival
> Official site for Eastern Promises
> Reviews for Eastern Promises at Metacritic
> Find out more about David Cronenberg at Wikipedia

Categories
Cinema Interviews Podcast

Stefan Ruzowitzky and Karl Markovics on The Counterfeiters

Stefan Ruzowitzky and Karl MarkovicsThe Counterfeiters tells the remarkable true life tale of the Nazi counterfeiting scheme during World War II known as Operation Bernhard.

In the latter years of the war the Nazi’s had a plan to flood the UK and US economies with false money. In order to do so they enlisted skilled prisoners in concentration camps to do this painstaking work.

I recently spoke to the director Stefan Ruzowitzky (on the left) and actor Karl Markovics (on the right), who plays the chief counterfeiter.

We discussed the story that inspired the film, the challenges of bringing it to the screen and the themes raised by the project.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-10-12-13539.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:

> Download this interview as an MP3 file by clicking here
> Find out more about Operation Bernhard at Wikipedia
> Check out the IMDb pages for Stefan and Karl
> Visit the official site for The Counterfeiters
> Get local showtimes for the film in your area via Google Movies

The Counterfeiters opens in selected UK cinemas today.

Categories
Cinema Interviews

Barrington Pheloung on And When Did You Last See Your Father?

Barrington PheloungBarrington Pheloung has composed music for many film and TV projects.

Perhaps best known for his work on Inspector Morse, he has also worked with director Anand Tucker on films such as Hilary and Jackie and Shopgirl.

Their latest collaboration is And When Did You Last See Your Father?, the adaptation of the Blake Morrison memoir, which stars Colin Firth and Jim Broadbent.

I spoke with Barrington this week about his work on the project and the challenges of composing for film.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-10-08-62507.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:

You can also download this interview directly as as an MP3 file by clicking here

And When Did You Last See Your Father? is out now at UK cinemas

> Official site for the film
> Official site for Barrington Pheloung
> IMDb entry for Barrington
> Check out showtimes for And When Did You Last See Your Father? via Google Movies

Categories
Cinema Interviews Podcast

Control – Interview Special

Control poster

Control is the new film about the late Ian Curtis, the lead singer of British band Joy Division, who committed suicide in 1980 at age 23.

Directed by Anton Corbijn – who worked with the band as a photographer – it generated critical raves after its world premiere in Cannes earlier this year.

It opens in the UK this week and I recently spoke to three of the actors from the film.

Sam Riley as Ian Curtis in ControlSam Riley plays Ian Curtis and we spoke about how he got the role, the audition where he had to do the distinctive Curtis-style dance, how the actors actually learned to play Joy Division’s songs and the chemistry amongst the band during filming.

We also discussed what Joy Division fans might think about the film and whether a new generation of music fans might discover the band from watching this film.

Toby KebbellToby Kebbell plays Rob Gretton, the late manager of the band. We spoke about the role Gretton’s role in Joy Division’s career, the comic relief his character provides in the film and the power of the script.

We also talked about Anton Corbijn’s desire to make a film about a band he worked with as a photographer, the film as a document of Ian Curtis’ life, shooting in black and white, his look in the film and why the story still resonates today.

Samantha MortonSamantha Morton plays Debbie Curtis – Ian’s widow and the author of ‘Touching from a Distance‘, the biography upon which the film is partly based.

In the last few years she has worked with Steven Spielberg (Minority Report), Woody Allen (Sweet and Lowdown) and Jim Sheridan (In America) as well as Anton Corbijn (she was in the Electrical Storm video Anton directed for U2 in 2002).

We spoke about getting involved with the film, her love of Joy Division’s music, how they shot the film and the importance of conveying the humour and humanity of the characters amidst the tragedy of Ian’s short life.

Listen to the interviews here:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-10-05-31717.mp3]

To download this as a podcast via iTunes just click the image below:

> Download these interviews as an MP3 file
> Check out the official Control video podcast
> Visit the official site for Control
> Check out Sam Riley, Toby Kebbell and Samantha Morton at the IMDb
> Get local showtimes for Control in your area via Google Movies
> Find out more about Ian Curtis and Joy Division at Wikipedia

Categories
DVD & Blu-ray Interviews Podcast

Vince Papale on Invincible

Vince Papale - the inspiration behind InvincibleInvincible is the real life tale of Vince Papale, a former American football player who played three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.

What makes his story interesting is that he made his NFL debut at the late age of 30.

Despite being an accomplished athlete and playing in the short lived World Football League he was working in a bar before getting a shot at trying out for the Eagles.

He went on to play three seasons in the NFL and his story was made into a film last year with Mark Wahlberg portraying him.

I spoke on the phone to Vince this week about his story and the release of the film on DVD.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-10-02-94899.mp3]

To subscribe to the Interview Podcast via iTunes just click the image below:



Invincible
is out now on DVD from Buena Vista Home Entertainment

> Buy Invincible on DVD from Amazon UK
> Find out more about Vince Papale at his official site
> Check out the official site for the film

Categories
Cinema Interviews Podcast

Jeffrey Blitz on Rocket Science

Jeffrey Blitz on Rocket ScienceJeffrey Blitz scored an unlikely hit in 2003 with the marvellous documentary Spellbound.

A simple but affecting tale of a cross section of students competing in the National Spelling Bee, it was a captivating and charming look at learning in America.

He now returns with Rocket Science, his feature film debut which is out at selected UK cinemas this week.
This also deals with high school education as it follows a young student (Reece Thompson) who joins his high school debating team despite having a stutter.

It won the Best Director prize at Sundance earlier this year and is released in selected UK cinemas this week.

I recently spoke to Jeffrey about the film, the success of Spellbound and a few other things besides.

Listen to the interview podcast here:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-09-25-36649.mp3]

To subscribe to the Interview Podcast via iTunes just click the image below:


Rocket Science is out in the UK this Friday

> Download this interview as an MP3 file
> Check out the official site for Rocket Science
> If you are on Facebook try the Mass Debater application designed by PPC Interactive to tie in with the release of the film
> Find out show times for Rocket Science via Google Movies
> Check out reviews for Rocket Science at Metacritic

Categories
DVD & Blu-ray Interviews

Half Nelson on DVD

Half Nelson DVD coverHalf Nelson is out on DVD this week in the UK and earlier this year I spoke to the director Ryan Fleck and the co-writer/producer Anna Boden about the film.

It tells the story of a talented Brooklyn school teacher (Ryan Gosling) who is caught smoking crack by one of his pupils (Shareeka Epps).

But this is not a traditional classroom drama by any means. With two pitch perfect lead performances and a wise, heartfelt script, it is one of the finest films to come out of the US in the last year.

Have a listen to the interview below:

You can also download this interview as an MP3 by clicking here or subscribe to our interview podcast via iTunes below:

> Check out the official website for the film
> Buy Half Nelson on DVD at Amazon UK
> Buy the soundtrack (which is superb by the way) at Amazon UK

Categories
Cinema Interviews Podcast

Jonah Hill, Michael Cera and Christopher Mintz-Plasse on Superbad

Superbad castSuperbad is out in the UK this week and I recently spoke to the three lead actors in the film: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera and Christopher Mintz-Plasse.

I spoke about the comedy in the film, the rise of producer Judd Apatow, what ‘McLovin’ is, how this is different from other teen movies and a good deal of other stuff too.

One of the funniest comedies to come out this year it follows three high school geeks as they struggle to buy booze for a party at which they hope to get laid. But after one of them comes up with a bad fake ID their evening spirals out of control.

Seth Rogen (who you may have seen in Knocked Up earlier this summer) stars in a supporting role as a cop and he also co-wrote the script with Evan Goldberg. Judd Apatow produces whilst Greg Mottola directs.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-09-14-26432.mp3]

To subscribe to the Interview Podcast via iTunes just click the image below:

Superbad is out now at UK cinemas

> Download the interview as an MP3 file
> Check out the official Superbad website
> Read other reviews of Superbad at Metacritic
> Get showtimes for Superbad via Google Movies

Categories
Cinema Interviews Podcast

Clive Owen on Shoot Em Up

Shoot Em UpShoot Em Up is a new action film starring Clive Owen as a mysterious hit man who becomes involved in a political conspiracy after saving a baby from a shoot out.

Directed by Michael Davis it is a fast and furious thriller in the style of John Woo’s early films.

It also stars Paul Giamatti as his nemesis and Monica Bellucci as a prostitute caught up in the crossfire.

I spoke to Clive recently about the film and about other projects he has coming up.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-09-14-14014.mp3]

To subscribe to the Interview Podcast via iTunes just click the image below:

Shoot Em Up is out at UK cinemas now

> Download the interview as an MP3 here
> Check out the official website for Shoot Em Up
> Shoot Em Up at the IMDb
> Get local showtimes for the film via Google Movies

Categories
Cinema Interviews Podcast

Run, Fat Boy, Run – Interview Special

The new comedy Run, Fat Boy, Run is out at UK cinemas this week and I spoke with the cast and director about the film.

Simon PeggSimon Pegg plays Dennis, a man who inexplicably dumps his bride to be at the altar and then spends the next few years regretting it.

Since becoming noticed in TV shows like Spaced, Simon has become one of the UK’s biggest comedy stars with roles in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz (both of which he co-wrote).

We spoke about how he re-wrote the script for this film, the differences between US and UK comedy, whether there will be a Spaced movie and his future plans for collaborating with Nick Frost and Edgar Wright.

Thandie NewtonThandie Newton plays Libby in the film, the bride who who cruelly jilted on her wedding day.

She then hooks up with a rich American (Hank Azaria) who runs marathons and becomes a rival to Dennis when the latter tries to win her back.

In recent years she has been in films such as Crash (for which she won a BAFTA in 2006), The Pursuit of Happyness (with Will Smith) and Mission Impossible II.

We spoke about her role, the British film industry and how she got into acting at a young age.

Dylan MoranDylan Moran plays Dennis’ best friend Gordon, who sort of acts as his conscience in the film (albeit a lazy one).

He also has the difficult taske of getting his overweight and slobbish friend fit for running in a marathon

He started off in Ireland as a comedian and found mainstream fame in the UK with his memorable lead role in the excellent Channel 4 series Black Books.

We spoke about his role in the film, his comedy background in Ireland and his thoughts of the Irish film industry.

David SchwimmerDavid Schwimmer is the director of the film and although famous for his role as Ross in Friends, he does have a background in directing that stretches back to his days in the theatre.

He also directed several episodes of Friends and in recent times has acted alongside Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm.

We spoke about how the film was relocated from America to thr UK, the business of filming on location in London during the winter and a few other things beside.

Listen to the interview podcast here:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-09-07-69868.MP3]

To subscribe to the Interview Podcast via iTunes just click the image below:

> Download the interviews as an MP3 file
> Check out the official website
> IMDb entry for Run, Fat Boy, Run

Run, Fat Boy, Run is out at UK cinemas now

Categories
DVD & Blu-ray Interviews

This is England on DVD – Interview Special

This is EnglandThis is England is one of the best films to come out this year and is out on DVD this week.

Directed by Shane Meadows it is a coming of age story in early 80s Britain about a young boy named Shaun who finds new friends in a skinhead gang.

But when the gang is taken over by a far right member named Combo (Stephen Graham) he soon learns some harsh lessons about life.

Brilliantly observed and acted, it is a raw and moving depiction of the joys and pains of growing up in the early 80s.

I recently spoke to three of the actors in the film: Thomas Turgoose (who plays Shaun); Andrew Shim (who plays Milky) and Vicky McClure (who plays Lol).

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:http://filmdetail.receptionmedia.com/This_is_England_Interview_Special.mp3]

To subscribe to the Interview Podcast via iTunes just click the image below:

This is England is out now on DVD from Optimum

> Download the interview as an MP3 file
> Buy This is England on DVD from Amazon
> IMDb entry for This is England
> Check out reviews for This is England at Metacritic
> Check out the official Shane Meadows site

Categories
Cinema Festivals Interviews

Jonathan King on Black Sheep

Jonathan KingThe annual UK horror film festival FrightFest got underway this week and the opening film was Black Sheep.

A horror comedy set in and filmed in New Zealand it follows a group of people trying to survive when an experiment with sheep goes horribly wrong.

I recently spoke to writer and director Jonathan King about the film which opens here in the UK on October 12th.

Listen to the interview below:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-08-23-85870.mp3]

> Download the interview as an MP3
> Check out the official website for Black Sheep
> Visit the official site for FrightFest

Categories
Cinema Interviews

Taika Waititi on Eagle vs Shark

Taika WaititiThe quirky comedy Eagle vs Shark is out this week and I recently caught up with its writer and director Taika Waititi.

A director, writer, painter, comedian and actor of Maori descent he comes from the East Coast region of New Zealand.

He is most notable for his short film Two Cars, One Night for which he was nominated for an Academy Award.

We spoke about Eagle vs Shark and how he got the film made.

Listen to the interview here:

[audio:https://www.filmdetail.com/podcast/get.php?fla=podcast-2007-08-17-17723.mp3]

You can also download this interview via iTunes by clicking the image below:

Eagle vs Shark is out at selected UK cinemas now

> Download the interview as an MP3
> Taika Waititi at the IMDb
> Find out more about Eagle vs Shark at the IMDb
> Check out local cinema times for the film at UK cinemas
> Taika’s MySpace page