The producers of Chicago Med wanted the show’s depiction of medicine to be as accurate as it possibly could. The insistence on making the procedures look so realistic has made the show more difficult for the actors who play the show’s doctors. Yaya DaCosta told us about the extra effort the show’s stars have put in, including some real-life medical training!
Playing Tony Stark and Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. has been part of Marvel’s movie universe since the very beginning. Through 11 films, including the new Avengers: Endgame, Downey has been part of the Avengers saga from start to finish. Having not only been part of the Marvel family, but also seeing so many of the fans and how they react to his character and the others, Downey told us he has a great understanding of why the films and characters have connected with such a large audience over the years. (Click on the media bar below to hear Robert Downey Jr.)
After William Zabka played Johnny Lawrence for the last time on the big screen in 1986’s The Karate Kid, Part II, he thought he’d be saying goodbye to the character forever. So he was pleasantly surprised — no, make that shocked — when he was contacted a couple years ago with the idea for Cobra Kai, a TV series that reintroduces us to the rivalry between Lawrence and Ralph Macchio’s character, Daniel LaRusso. Once Zabka saw the idea being pitched, he knew he wanted to be part of it, and now that the series is beginning its second season, he told us he finds his character growing and evolving in ways he never could have imagined. (Click on the media bar below to hear William Zabka)
The new season of Cobra Kai is streaming now on YouTube Premium.
Ang Lee’s love for visual effects is on display with his films Hulk, Life of Piand most recently Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk. With Gemini Man, Lee teams up with Will Smith in an ambitious thriller that employs the de-aging visual effects process (which was used this year for Samuel L. Jackson in Captain Marvel).
Smith plays Henry Brogan, an elite assassin who is being targeted by younger operative (also Smith) who knows his very move. The flick co-stars Clive Owen and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. As much as I am excited about the Smith and Lee pairing, the picture slightly reminds me of Looper (sans the time travel element). Check out the trailer and tell us what you think!
One of the many strong aspects of Abby’s lies in its diverse (and most importantly funny) ensemble. Actress Natalie Morales headlines the series as the titular character, a Marine vet turned bartender to her friends.
With diversity being a part of Abby’s, Morales, the actress was asked about her thoughts on affirmative action. “When you give an opportunity to someone who is hungry, who may not have had as much experience as someone else, you can push them forward and to me that is what the idea of affirmative action is,” said Morales. “You’re giving an opportunity to someone who might not have it otherwise. It doesn’t mean that you’re choosing them just because of their color or just because it’s a woman, (It’s because) you’re going ‘I need to balance these scales out.’ And then hopefully it will all work itself out.”
Morales’ drive to expand her career horizons has also led her down the directing path. Click on the media bar to hear Morales talk about her passion for filmmaking (co-star Neil Flynn is also heard in the clip):
Abby’s airs Thursday nights on NBC (9:30 pm et/pt).
Lake Bell knows a good cast when she sees one — after all, her television debut came on ER — and she’s really impressed with the cast that’s been assembled for her new comedy, Bless This Mess. Bell told us the thing she’s most excited about is how her castmates can handle the show’s funny moments and tender moments equally well. (Click on the media bar below to hear Lake Bell)
Bless This Mess airs Tuesdays at 9:30/8:30c on ABC.
It’s been nearly four decades since Billy Dee Williams first joined the Star Wars franchise as Lando Calrissian in The Empire Strikes Back, and he’ll be featured once again in The Rise of Skywalker, the film that finally wraps up the original saga. It’s the first time we’ll see him in a big-screen Star Wars venture since Return of the Jedi in 1983, and he told us he was really, really impressed with the work director J.J. Abrams was doing on the set. (Click on the media bar below to hear Billy Dee Williams)
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens in theaters on December 20.
For the past five years, Carlos Valdes has been playing Cisco Ramon (and his alter ego, Vibe) on The Flash. He’s enjoyed the time he’s spent on the set making the show, but he says the moments that are really special happen at places like fan conventions, where he gets to hear stories from viewers who have really connected with the show. (Click on the media bar below to hear Carlos Valdes)
Brenton Thwaites (Titans, An Interview With God) stars in A Violent Separation as Norman Young, a deputy who is torn between a bond with his brother Ray (Animal Kingdom’sBen Robson) and his duty as an officer.
When Ray commits a criminal act, the right thing to do would be to put him behind bars. Norman, however, believes in the blood is thicker than water rule and covers up the crime. To further complicate matters, Norman is romancing Frances (Alycia Debnam-Carey), the sister of the victim (Claire Holt).
The brotherly dynamic of A Violent Separation should be covered with an insightful touch, as the midwestern town thriller is directed by siblings Michael and Kevin Goetz (Scenic Route, Martyrs).
A Violent Separation hits theaters and On Demand May 17 via Screen Media Films. Check out the trailer and tell us what you think!
It was back in 2001 when Anne Hathaway starred in The Princess Diariesand, in effect, began her road to stardom. Earlier this year Hathaway divulged that a third installment was a possibility as a script had been written. The actress and Julie Andrews are both interested in another go round, which is great news.
We covered the roundtables for The Princess Diariesway back when, and during our first interview with Hathaway she expressed her love for the project. “The great part about the film is it does have a lot of really important messages in it but it doesn’t address it in any sort of preachy or didactic way,” said Hathaway. “I think it really is very straightforward and something that everyone could relate to and it’s not sappy. It’s not cheesy or corny. It’s a really good movie and I’m really proud of it.”
Andrews’ iconic work includes The Sound of Musicand Mary Poppins(she also performed a great rendition of “Getting To Know You” for The King and I studio cast recording), so it was understandable if Hathaway was a bit nervous the first time she met the actress. Click on the media bar to hear Anne Hathaway discuss the first time she met Julie Andrews: The full interview of Hathaway is available on the latest episode of Matt and Greg Used To Interview Movie Stars.
The producers of Chicago Med wanted the show’s depiction of medicine to be as accurate as it possibly could. The insistence on making the procedures look so realistic has made the show more difficult for the actors who play the show’s doctors. Yaya DaCosta told us about the extra effort the show’s stars have put in, including some real-life medical training!
