Photo Credit: MetroGoldwyn Mayer Pictures / Pantelion Films
Eva Longoria, who was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, has had a successful and diverse career in both cinema and television. Best known for her long running role in the iconic TV series Desperate Housewives, Longoria has also branched out as a producer (Devious Maids, Telenovela) and director (the documentary Latinos Living the American Dream). Now she’s co-starring with longtime friend Mel Rodriguez (they met on the 2002 feature Deuces Wild) in Overboard, a remake of the Kurt Russell/Goldie Hawn feature of the same name. Eugenio Derbez and Anna Faris topline the feature.
“This is a general market movie that has universal themes,” said Longoria. “So everybody’s going to relate to it. Everybody’s going to understand it. Everybody’s going to identify with it. Taking on a remake of one of the most iconic films from the 80s seemed daunting but once we read the script and heard the gender switch and the cultural infusion it was so different and stood on its own while at the same time paying homage to the original, we just knew it was going to be a home run.”
Click on the media bar to hear Longoria talk about the diversity behind Overboard (Rodriguez is also heard in the clip):
The initial teaser trailer for Venom, while showing Tom Hardy feelings of some transformation gone wrong, did not reveal one of Marvel’s most popular anti-heroes, the new trailer features the titular character during the closing moments.
The storyline centers on Eddie Brock (Hardy), a journalist who is investigating the corrupt operation headed by Dr. Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed) in which humans are being experimented with a life form known as symbiotes. After being exposed to symbiotes, Brock turns into a much more powerful (and potentially evil) being. Topher Grace previously played Brock in the 2007 flick Spider-Man 3. Ruben Fleischer, who directed the hit 2009 feature Zombieland and the Los Angeles film noir Gangster Squad, directs.
With the success of Spider-Man: Homecoming, the anticipation level for Venom is definitely high. Check out the trailer and tell us what you think!!
Venom, co-starring Michelle Williams, opens October 5.
Over the last 25 years or so, Tom Cavanagh has made a good living for himself as one of Hollywood’s most in-demand character actors. It’s taken a while, but he’s finally made the leap from guest star to regular on a successful TV show, having been on The Flash for the last four years as Dr. Harrison Wells (and his other-Earth versions), along with his alter-ego Reverse Flash. It’s been an exciting ride for Cavanagh, and he’s enjoyed every minute of it — especially when he gets to play multiple characters! (Click on the media bar below to hear Tom Cavanagh)
Not that we’re trying to make you feel old or anything, but — believe it or not — the first Iron Man movie hit theaters 10 years ago next week. The movie introduced us to the new Marvel universe, which has since expanded to include films featuring Captain America, Thor, Dr. Strange, Spider-Man, Black Widow, Black Panther, and so many others. Robert Downey Jr., of course, starred in the movie as Tony Stark and his alter ego, Iron Man, and he remembers how much thought and effort went into making that movie with director Jon Favreau. (Click on the media bar below to hear Robert Downey Jr.)
The latest offering from the new Marvel universe, Avengers: Infinity War, opens in theaters this Friday.
On The Voice, Blake Shelton takes his responsibilities as a coach very seriously. As he tells us, though, there’s so much more to the process than knowing how to be a good singer and entertainer. When it comes to working with a young, diverse group of contestants, he also needs to be a good teacher, figuring out the best ways to reach each one and help them realize their potential. (Click on the media bar below to hear Blake Shelton)
The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC.
Denzel Washington’s successful collaboration with director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Magnificent Seven, The Equalizer) continues with The Equalizer 2. Though he’s carved out one of cinema’s most successful careers, The Equalizer 2 is actually Washington’s first sequel, as we witness Frank McCall exacting vengeance on the cutthroats who killed his friend (Melissa Leo).
Wizened and still physically agile at 63, Washington shows that he can still pull off an action driven film with the best of them. Released in 2014, The Equalizer made over $101 million domestically, and the sequel is a sure bet to at least “equal” that impressive figure. The only complaint is that Leo, who delivered wonderful work last year in Novitiate, will probably be gone by the first act. Still, it’s great to see Washington, years after his towering and intimidating work in Training Day, continue to work within Fuqua’s genre driven universe. Check out the trailer below and tell us what you think!
Rachel McAdams (left) stars as Esti Kuperman and Rachel Weisz (right) stars as Ronit Krushkain Sebastián Lelio’s DISOBEDIENCE, a Bleecker Street release.Credit: Bleecker Street
Rachel Weisz stars and produces Disobedience, the story of a woman named Ronit (Weisz) who returns home after her father’s passing. Along with processing her grief, Ronit reawakens her passion for childhood friend Esti (Rachel McAdams).
For Weisz, shooting the narrative’s love scene was a standout experience. “In a way, the scene was much more important than it’s ever been than in any film I’ve made before. Sex scenes can often feel gratuitous and you think, ‘Could the story do without this?’ Yeah it probably could. In this case, absolutely not,” said Weiss. It was kind of the center and the heart of the movie. Everything was leading up to this explosion of freedom, particularly from Esti. So it was essential storytelling. It was very emotional. It was very vulnerable. I had never done a sex scene that was (so) emotional. It just wasn’t just about sex and passion (it was also about) tenderness and emotion and release and it had a huge symbolic meaning I think in the film.”
Click on the media bar to hear Weisz explain why she was attracted to the “contemporary” setting of Disobedience:
There is no magic formula to make a hit movie, but Steven Spielberg has had a pretty good batting average throughout his career. One approach that’s worked for him, he says, is to take something that’s already in the public’s consciousness and amplify it. That’s exactly what he says he did when he made his first breakout movie, the blockbuster Jaws. (Click on the media bar below to hear Steven Spielberg)
Spielberg’s latest movie, Ready Player One, is still in theaters everywhere.
If you think being a judge on a music competition is only about spotting talent, Katy Perry wants you to think again. When we spoke to the American Idol judge, she told us that she and her fellow judges (Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan) are more interested in being mentors than critics, since they know what it’s like to be in the contestants’ shoes. (Click on the media bar below to hear Katy Perry)
The finalists have been chosen, and the live shows have begun — American Idol airs Sunday and Monday nights at 8/7c on ABC.
Prior to embarking on her Hollywood acting career, Emily Ratajkowski made a name for herself as a model (most notably in Robin Thicke’s music video for Blurred Lines). Working in that field has a tendency to make women hyper-aware of body issues, so Ratajkowski is thrilled to be in the new Amy Schumer movie, I Feel Pretty, which tackles body issues head-on. She told us she believes whole-heartedly in the message the movie is trying to send. (Click on the media bar below to hear Emily Ratajkowski)
