“The Dukes of Hazard” star Tom Wopat talks about his new Christmas album with John Schneider

It’s been a “Dukes” kind of year here at Media Mikes. Earlier this summer I spoke to John Schneider about his feature film directorial debut, the tongue-in-cheek horror film “Smothered.” This week I got to speak with the other Duke boy, Tom Wopat, who recently teamed with Schneider for an album of Christmas music entitled “Home for Christmas.” Being familiar with Mr. Wopat’s work in musical theater, as well as on country radio, I was well aware of his pipes. When we chatted before the interview he was as proud as a new parent. Rolling Stone magazine recently named “Home for Christmas” one of the ten-best holiday albums released this year and the album DEBUTED in the top 10 on Billboard’s Traditional Jazz chart. It didn’t climb to #10…it opened there! In fact, as I write this the album is “sold out” on Amazon.com Don’t fret, though. They’ll make more!

Mr. Wopat recently took some time out to talk to me about the album, further collaborations with John Schneider and his musical future. You can read my interview with John Schneider HERE

Mike Smith: How did this project come about with you and John?
Tom Wopat: We’ve always enjoyed singing together and in the past 20 years or so we’ve done a few shows. We’ve talked a lot about recording together. I had started producing as well and this just made sense. We cut a couple of songs together last December and then we finished the rest this past August.

MS: Both you and John have been very successful in the theater and in country music. Was there a reason you decided to do a Christmas album?
TW: Well, for one thing it’s kind of a perennial. You’d like to think that it will sell for a while. Another part is that we can go out and do a series of concerts every year with that material so it just made sense to do that.

MS: You’ve done a few shows already this year haven’t you?
TW: We did several. We did a show in New York, then we did a show for about 500 people in John’s barn in Louisiana and we just did one in Atlanta.

MS: It’s obvious that you and John have a great rapport. I listened to you both this past week when you were hosting on Sirius Radio. Is there anything else you two want to collaborate on in the future?
TW: We’ve talked about doing a movie. John has a lot of projects he’s developing…he’s putting together a movie studio in Louisiana…so hopefully he’ll give me a call one of these days and I’ll go down there and do something with him. And I’ve got some ideas for future albums. We finance them ourselves so hopefully this one will do well so we can finance others.

MS: I actually spoke with John this summer to promote his horror film “Smothered.” If Catherine Bach sings I’ll be able to talk to all of the Duke cousins!
TW: (laughing) There you go!

MS: What do you have coming up? Are you going back on stage soon?
TW: Those things just come along suddenly…I very rarely get much lead time on that. The only thing I can plan on is some upcoming dates with my band. We’ll be on Long Island in April and in Indiana in August. But I’m sure between next Thanksgiving and Christmas we’ll have ten or fifteen appearances planned. I’m also getting ready to do another solo record and there’s talk of myself, two women and a little jazz group going out on tour and performing the music of Woody Allen films…pretty much some great standards.

MS: Really? That would be right in your wheelhouse.
TW: Yeah, that would be a good one.

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Filed Under: Interviews, Music Interviews, TV Interviews Tagged With: album, christmas, dukes, hazard, john, schneider, ...

Win a DVD of the Jimi Hendrix Bio-Pic “Jimi: All Is By My Side” [ENDED]

Media Mikes has teamed with XLRator Media to offer one lucky reader a chance to win a DVD copy of the film “Jimi: All Is By My Side.”  The film, which stars OutKast’s Andre’ Benjamin as famed guitarist Jimi Hendrix, covers the musician from 1966-1967, the year Hendrix began the jump from backup guitarist (early in his career he and his band opened concerts for the Monkees) to guitar legend.
All you have to do to enter to win is let us know below who, in your opinion, is the greatest guitarist EVER?  Jimi?  Eddie Van Halen?  Chet Atkins? (ok, I know I’m dating myself here!).  Leave you choice below and on January 13, 2015 one random winner will be chosen.  That winner will notified by email.  This contest ends at midnight on Monday, January 12, 2015.  Good luck!
“Jimi: All Is By My Side” will debut on DVD, Blu-ray and Video-on-Demand on Tuesday, January 13, 2015.

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Win Passes to the Kansas City Premiere of “American Sniper”

Media Mikes has teamed up with Warner Brothers to give (25) of our readers and a guest the opportunity to see the new film, “American Sniper,” before anyone else in Kansas City.

The screening will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at the Pharaoh Theatre in Independence, Missouri and will start at 7:00 p.m.

All you have to do is head to

http://www.gofobo.com/main/sweepstakes/ASMediaMikes and register. (25) random entries will be chosen and those chosen will receive a pass for (2) to attend this screening. This contest ends on January 5, 2015. Winners will be notified by email.

Directed by Clint Eastwood, “American Sniper” is based on the life and exploits of Navy Seal Sniper Chris Kyle, our military’s most proficient sniper. The film stars two-time Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper as Kyle and Sienna Miller as his wife, Taya. The film is based on Chris Kyle’s book of the same name.

“American Sniper” opens nationwide on Friday, January 16, 2015.

Good luck!

January 8, 2015
7:00 p.m.

Pharaoh Theatre
114 West Maple
Independence, Missouri

 

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Nicolette Pierini talks about her role in “Annie (2014)”

Photo Credit: Yolanda Perez

The youngest of four children in an acting family from Long Island, New York, nine-year old Nicolette Pierini was destined to follow in her elder siblings’ footsteps. She began her career as a performer in commercials and short films, including Fool’s Day, All That Remains, Keeper, Poetry Man, and Transitions. However, Pierini received her first big break when she booked the role of “Flora O’Neil” opposite veteran actors Morgan Freeman and Virginia Madsen in the Rob Reiner-directed drama THE MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE. Also, she most recently, appeared as “Lola” in the feature film TIO PAPI, directed by Fro Rojas.

This week she will appear as Mia opposite Quvenzhané Wallis in the new film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical, “Annie.” While taking a break from a busy day in New York, young Nicolette took time out to talk to me about the film.

Mike Smith: Can you tell us about Mia, your character in “Annie”?
Nicolette Pierini: She is the youngest of the foster children. She’s very young and she loves Annie. She has a very big heart.

MS: How did you get the role?
NP: I had to go to various auditions. One for acting. One for singing and acting. And then one for dancing and singing and acting.

MS: Had you had a lot of musical training before you auditioned?
NP: I went to dance lessons so I had a little bit of experience. I could tap and I could ballet, so I did have a little dance training. And I’d done a lot of singing. I love singing. It’s really fun.

MS: What kind of music do you like?
NP: Any kind really. I love the music…I love the emotions behind a song. I like how a song is put together. I’ve actually written some songs myself.

MS: Do you think as you get older you’ll try to pursue a musical career as well?
NP: (considering the question) Yeah…YEAH!

MS: What else are you working on?
NP: Right now I’m just going on auditions and I’ll see what comes. Hopefully something that’s right for me.

Nicolette loves to hear from her fans. You can drop her a note at the following social media sites:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nicolette-Pierini-Fan-Page/225583847456286
Twitter: @Npierini0

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Filed Under: Film Interviews, Interviews Tagged With: annie, nicolette, pierini, role, talks

Film Review “Wild”

Starring: Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern
Directed by: Jean-Marc Vallee
Rated: R
Running time: 1 hour 55 mins
Fox Searchlight

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

When we first meet Cheryl Strayed (Witherspoon) she is pulling a nail off of her big toe. Cheryl is on a hike and her boots are too small. On the other hand, her pack is too big. So big, in fact, that other hikers have nicknamed it “Monster.” As she begins the 1,000 mile trek down the Pacific Crest Trail it is obvious that Cheryl is heading towards a clean future. And doing her best to lose the past.

Carried on the slight shoulders of star (and producer) Witherspoon, “Wild” is a sharp and smartly directed film that, despite the basic plot (woman hiking alone), manages to entertain. If you remember Emilio Estevez’ brilliant film, “The Way,” from a few years ago, “Wild” would be a most welcome companion piece.

Told via flashbacks, we learn, bit by bit, why Cheryl has undertaken this journey. From a childhood raised by a mother (Dern) she adored to a marriage she doomed by her drug use and promiscuity to the sudden illness that takes her beloved mother, we are given small peeks into her past and then see how they affect her path. As she begins she isn’t a mile down the road before she starts trying to convince herself that she can quit any time she wants. But quitting is not on her agenda. From temperatures in the hundreds to trails blocked by snow, the further she goes the closer she is to her goal. Along the way she finds the time to leave brief messages (usually bits of poetry) in the notebooks provided along the trail, gaining an almost cult like following from fellow hikers who so rarely see a woman make the journey.

Witherspoon, an Oscar winner almost a decade ago for “Walk the Line,” has really come back to the big screen recently with a vengeance. Her performance here (and her work in the up-coming “Inherent Vice”) is strong and steady. The same with Dern. Though only seven years separate the two actresses age wise, their scenes together are moving. This is due to a combination of performance and material. Based on Strayed’s book detailing her journey, Nick Hornby’s screenplay is both straight forward and humorous. When a writer for “The Hobo Times” tries to get an interview with Cheryl he is not dissuaded by her constant reminders that she’s hiking just like everyone else and is not the very rare “lady” hobo!

Vallee’s direction, like his work on last year’s “Dallas Buyers Club,” is strong yet understated. He allows the film to flow as slow and smooth as a walk in the woods. Coupled with the smart script and fine performances, “Wild” is a must see.

 

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Grammy Winner, Michael W. Smith talks about new album “The Spirit of Christmas”

Photographer: Cameron Powell

A few weeks ago I got a weird text. It said “do you want to do an interview next week?” When I replied “with?” I got back “you. Michael Smith.” I was excited. Someone wanted to interview ME! Actually I was told that I would be the interviewer and the subject would be Christian singer Michael W. Smith. I was even more excited!

A winner of (3) Grammy awards, as well as (40) Dove awards, Michael W. Smith has enjoyed success not only on the Gospel/Contemporary chart but in the mainstream as well. This month he has released his fourth album devoted to Christmas, entitled “The Spirit of Christmas.” The album, on which Smith duets with such singers as Vince Gill, Michael McDonald and Bono, consists of both long time favorites (“Silent Night,” “What Child is This”) and new originals.

As he readied to embark on a short tour to support the album Smith kindly took some time out to speak with Media Mikes.

Mike Smith: This is your fourth Christmas-themed album. What is it about the music that makes you want to revisit it?
Michael W. Smith: You know this is the music I grew up with. All the way back to when my sister and I used to pull out the Christmas LPs and play them for four months straight! When I hear those songs they just take me back to my childhood. Especially the first part of this record, for sure.

MS: This album consists of duets. There are a few performers on it that your fans might surely expect, like Vince Gill and Amy Grant. But then you’ve also got Bono and Michael McDonald. How were you able to get them on board?
MWS: Well first let me tell you that I’m still pinching myself that it happened, you know? We had these people picked out from day one…before we even recorded one song. We had the whole record sequenced. We had a plan and we had a wish list of who we wanted to invite. And everybody said yes. I’ve known Michael for about 10 years and I’ve known Bono for 12 years. These guys get asked to do stuff all the time, so the thought that they said “yes” is still pretty miraculous to me and I’m very, very grateful.

MS: Is there anyone out there that you’d like to sing with that you haven’t so far? Do you have a wish list?
MWS: I grew up being a huge Barbra Streisand fan, you know. I’ve always loved her voice…I’ve loved her movies…”Funny Girl,” “Funny Lady.” Recently she’s kept a low profile though I know she has a new album out. (NOTE: Ironically, Barbra Streisand’s latest album, “Partners,” is also a duets album). I would love to record with her.

MS: Do you have a favorite song on this new record?
MWS: Oh, man…that’s so hard to pick. I mean, if I had to pick…gosh, it’s hard to pick! Wow. “Almost There,” which is an original song that I did with Amy (Grant). There’s something really special about it. I love…I think it’s one of my favorite songs that I have written….”All is Well,” that Carrie (Underwood) does. And the one song that I get choked up on is “Peace,” which is the one I do with Michael McDonald. And Michael actually co-wrote that song, so I’m sure that’s one of the reasons he wanted to jump in and be a part of it.

MS: When you’re writing songs, do you sit down and write about a certain theme, like Christmas? Or do you later go back and realize that a certain song is right for the project you’re doing at the time?
MWS: Definitely the latter, because I never know what I’m going to write. Obviously if I’m working on a Christmas record I’m going to be a little more intentional. I’m going to be thinking about textures…how a bell sound will go with a piano sound…something that might inspire me to be a bit festive. A bit “holiday-ish,” you know? On “Almost There” I knew I wanted it to be a little haunting. I mean when you’re on that 12 hour drive to the beach how many times do you ask mom and dad “oh my gosh, are we almost there?” My friend, Wes King, came up with the idea which was why not imagine Mary riding on that donkey. She’s pregnant and she can’t find any place and she’s wondering how long it’s going to take…you wonder if she ever said to Joseph, “are we almost there?” And that was the premise for the lyric.

MS: Are you going to tour at all to support the album?
MWS: Oh yeah! The Christmas tour started the Saturday night after Thanksgiving and we’ll be doing about fifteen shows around the country.

MS: What else do you have coming up?
MWS: I know it sounds a bit insane but I actually released three records this year. I did an exclusive record for Cracker Barrel called “Hymns.” That came out early in the year. Then the pop/worship record, “Sovereign,” came out in May. And now, of course, the “Christmas” album has just been released so it’s been a pretty busy year. After the “Christmas” tour we’re going to tour with “Sovereign” all over…South Africa…Asia…Europe. That will all happen in 2015.

MICHAEL W. SMITH’s Upcoming Tour Dates

December 18, 2014 Spokane, Washington
December 19, 2014 Portland, Oregon
December 20, 2014 Seattle, Washington
December 21, 2014 Abbottsford, British Columbia
January 11, 2015 Nashville, Tennessee

For more information go to www.michaelwsmith.com

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Filed Under: Interviews, Music Interviews Tagged With: album, christmas, grammy, michael, smith, spirit, ...

Film Review “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”

Starring: Martin Freeman and Ian McKellan
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 2 hours 24 mins
New Line

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

It’s over. After thirteen years and six films, Peter Jackson has completed not one but two amazing film trilogies that will be thrilling viewers for generations to come. Welcome to the final chapter of “The Hobbit” series, “The Battle of the Five Armies.”

When we last saw Bilbo Baggins (Freeman), he and his dwarf friends had royally pissed off the great dragon, Smaug, who was doing his best to destroy Laketown. In case you didn’t see the middle film, “The Desolation of Smaug,” the final film opens with the same scenes that closed part two. Kind of like getting to see the end of the fight from “Rocky” when you screen “Rocky II.” Once things calm down the film settles into its narrative…Thorin (Richard Armitage) has gotten “gold fever” and begins to distrust those around him. Did you ever see the old Daffy Duck cartoon where he stumbles into a vault and begins to hoard all of the treasure? Well, it’s pretty much like that except Throin doesn’t run around yelling “mine, mine, mine….no, no, no!” Meanwhile, the Orcs are heading towards our heroes’ location, guaranteeing that the title battle will indeed take place – Orcs, Dwarves, Elves and Eagles spend an almost wordless 45 minutes kicking serious ass. So why am I not as in love with this film as the previous ones? One word: Legolas. Apparently his long blonde hair makes him able to defy gravity among other incredulous activities. Yes, I know it’s a fantasy but come on all ready!

On the plus side the film’s cast is as game as ever to bring the story to life and the special effects continue to amaze. If nothing else, Jackson has established himself as a master storyteller, even when the story sometimes goes a little off track. The saga is over and what never could have been imagined on screen two decades ago has now come to life. If that’s not something to be thankful for at this time of year I don’t know what is.

 

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Filed Under: Film Reviews Tagged With: armies, battle, film, hobbit, review

“Grease” Director Randal Kleiser talks about his stage debut

What do you do when, in a span of two years, you direct some of the best episodic television as well as one of the most popular television movies of all time? If you’re Randal Kleiser, you graduate to features, where you’re first film, “Grease,” remains, almost four decades later, the highest grossing movie musical of all time. Not a bad start!

Born in Philadelphia, Kleiser headed west to study his chosen craft at the University of Southern California. It was there he met a fellow student named George Lucas. He graduated USC in 1968 and, on the basis of his impressive Master’s thesis film, “Peege,” began his career. After directing episodes of such popular television shows as “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” “The Rookies” and “Family,” he graduated to made-for-television films. His first, “Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway,” starred former “Brady Bunch” star Eve Plumb as a girl who, feeling her home life is tough, runs away to the big city where she’s soon selling her body. While this is almost happenstance on today’s television it was quite a shocker in 1976. His second film-for-television starred up and coming “Welcome Back, Kotter” star John Travolta as “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble.” Based on a true story, the film earned three Emmy nominations, winning one. It also became a favorite of fans, thanks to Travolta’s performance and Paul Williams’ song, “What Would They Say,” which Travolta sang. Travolta and Kleiser would reunite the next year when the young star appeared opposite Olivia Newton-John in the musical smash “Grease.”

Kleiser, a director with an eye for young talent, followed up with “The Blue Lagoon,” starring Brooke Shields. He then featured Peter Gallagher and Daryl Hannah in “Summer Lovers” (which Kleiser also wrote) and then teamed up Jamie Lee Curtis and Patrick Swayze in “Grandview U.S.A.” Other films include “Big Top Pee Wee,” “Flight of the Navigator” and “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid.” In 1996 Kleiser wrote and directed “It’s My Party,” one of the first major films to address the issue of AIDS (though, in “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble,” Travolta’s character, Tod, was born with a deficient immune system, which is not unlike being born with AIDS). “It’s My Party” tells the story of Nick (Eric Roberts), whose most recent blood test reveals that he is HIV positive. Nick decides to go out on his own terms and throws himself a “going away” party.

This year, Kleiser turned to the stage, where his first production, “The Penis Chronicles,” currently plays four times weekly at the Coastal Playhouse, in West Hollywood, California through January 11, 2015. Mr. Kleiser took time out from his schedule to speak with me about working on the stage, the continued magic of “Grease” and a project near and dear to his heart: “The Nina Foch Project.”

Mike Smith: You’re about to finish your first foray onto the stage. How did you get involved with “The Penis Chronicles?”
Randal Kleiser: Tom Yewell was my assistant on “White Fang” and “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid”. He then became my director of development at Disney Studios. After that he moved back East for several years. Last year his friend Greg O’Connor sent me his play, “The Penis Chronicles” and I read it expecting to just give him my comments. I was extremely impressed and immediately wanted to help launch it.

MS: As someone who had worked primarily in television and film, does the role of the director change when it’s live theatre?
RK: The biggest difference is that the control is in the hands of the actors, rather than the director. I’m used to being able to fine tune movie performances, doing multiple takes until we achieve each moment perfectly. There is an excitement about live theater that I haven’t experienced in my movie career. You never know what’s going to happen. Last week we had a power outage during the play and used iPhone flashlight apps to light the actor.

MS: You were able to fund the initial 8-week run of the show through Indigogo. Any thoughts of extending the run?
RK: We are pleased to announce that we are extending until at least January 11th. After that, we aren’t sure. It depends on the public continuing to show up.

MS: What can you tell us about your upcoming film, “B.F.F.?”
RK: That is a project written and directed by young filmmaker Greg Carter. I’m overseeing it in an executive producer capacity.

MS: You went from directing one of the most popular television films of all time (“The Boy in the Plastic Bubble”) to helming the most popular movie musical as a first time feature film director. Why do you think “Grease” continues to find fans after all these years?
RK: I get asked that a lot. It must have been the perfect storm of cast chemistry, a hit Broadway play, the new music, and characters that everyone could identify with.

MS: It’s been almost 20 years since “It’s My Party” was released. These days in Hollywood it’s almost common-place to have major studios producing projects like “Angels in America” and “The Normal Heart.” How hard was it to get “It’s My Party” made?
RK: I wrote it while under a deal at Disney. They were not jumping at making it. Duh. Luckily, John Calley had just taken over United Artists and I went over to see him. I showed him pictures from the actual party that the script was based on and he greenlit the project that day.
I couldn’t have been more thrilled.

MS: Tell us a little about the “Nina Foch Project” and her influence on your career?
RK: Nina Foch was a vital presence in the entertainment industry, at home onstage, on screen, and in the classroom. Her acting career spanned seven decades, including starring roles on the Broadway stage and numerous television appearances from the golden era of live television drama through the most popular series and sitcoms of recent years. She was best known for her performances in classic films, such as “An American in Paris,” “Spartacus,” and “The Ten Commandments.” Her role as Erica Martin in “Executive Suite,” directed by Robert Wise, garnered her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 1955. Nina joined the USC School of Cinematic Arts where she taught for many years, offering the Advanced Seminar in Directing Actors for Film. She worked with – and inspired – many of today’s most successful actors, singers, directors, screenwriters, and producers. After studying with her, I hired her on several occasions to guide me in breaking down scripts I was about to shoot. She would drill me on each moment, each line, each piece of punctuation so that I was ready to shoot only what was necessary to forward the story and ready for any possible question from the actors. My classmate George Lucas put up some funds to shoot a whole semester of her class before her death in 2008. She instilled in me the same thing that motivated her: a desire to transfer the fascination. The Nina Foch Course for Filmmakers and Actors is available in DVD and online form at www.ninafochproject.com.

MS: What, if anything, do you have planned next?
RK: I have four films ready to go and am looking to complete funding on them. All my director friends are in the same boat. We have to become entrepreneurs and do our own projects, rather than wait for the studios to change from only doing sequels, comics and remakes.

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Filed Under: Art/Theatre, Film Interviews, Interviews Tagged With: debut, director, grease, kleiser, randal, stage, ...

Kansas City Film Critics Name The Year’s Best

December 14, 2014

The Kansas City Film Critics Circle, the second oldest organized critics group in the country, held their annual end-of-the-year award gathering this afternoon, with “Birdman” and “Boyhood” taking home the lion’s share of the major awards. This is the 48th year the group has awarded their annual James Loutzenhiser awards.

Michael Keaton’s big return to the big screen, “Birdman,” won four awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (for Keaton), Best Supporting Actor (Edward Norton) and Best Original Screenplay. Richard Linklater’s 12-year in the making “Boyhood” received the Robert Altman Award for Achievement in Directing (for Linklater) and Best Supporting Actress (Patricia Arquette). Other films earing awards include “Gone Girl,” “Obvious Child” and “The Lego Movie.”

Here is a complete list of winners:

BEST PICTURE: “Birdman”
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD FOR BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING: Richard Linklater – “Boyhood”
BEST ACTOR: Michael Keaton – “Birdman”
BEST ACTRESS: Rosamund Pike – “Gone Girl”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Edward Norton – “Birdman”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Patricia Arquette – “Boyhood”
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Nicholas Glocobone, Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo – “Birdman”
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Gillian Robespierre – “Obvious Child”
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: “The Lego Movie”
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: “CitizenFour”
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: “Ida” (Poland)
VINCE KOEHLER AWARD FOR BEST SCI-FI, FANTASY or HORROR FILM: “The Babadook”

For more information on the Kansas City Film Critics Circle and previous year’s awards go to www.kcfcc.org

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Filed Under: Film Headlines Tagged With: city, critics, film, kansas, years

Win Passes to the Kansas City Premiere of “The Gambler” [ENDED]

Media Mikes has teamed up with Paramount Pictures to give (30) readers (and a guest) a chance to attend the Kansas City premiere of the new film, “The Gambler,” starring Mark Wahlberg. The screening will be held on Thursday, December 18 at the Screenland Armour Theatre in North Kansas City and will begin at 7:30 p.m.

All you have to do is go to http://www.gofobo.com/main/sweepstakes/gamblermedia and register. (30) random entries will be chosen and those chosen will each receive a pass for two to attend the screening. This contest will end on December 16 and the winners will be notified by email. Good luck!

“The Gambler” opens nationally on December 25, 2014
Official Site: www.thegamblermovie.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheGamblerMovie
Twitter: @TheGamblerMovie #TheGambler
Rating: Rated R for language throughout, and for some sexuality/nudity.

Synopsis:
Jim Bennett (Academy Award®-nominee Mark Wahlberg) is a risk taker. Both an English professor and a high-stakes gambler, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster (Michael Kenneth Williams) and offers his own life as collateral. Always one step ahead, Bennett pits his creditor against the operator of a gambling ring (Alvin Ing) and leaves his dysfunctional relationship with his wealthy mother (Academy Award®-winner Jessica Lange) in his wake. He plays both sides, immersing himself in an illicit, underground world while garnering the attention of Frank (John Goodman), a loan shark with a paternal interest in Bennett’s future. As his relationship with a student (Brie Larson) deepens, Bennett must take the ultimate risk for a second chance…

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Win Passes to the Kansis City Premiere of “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” in 3-D [ENDED]

Media Mikes has teamed up with Warner Brothers/New Line Cinema and MGM to give (25) readers and their guests a chance to be among the first to see the final film in Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” in 3-D!

The screening will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at the Cinemark Merriam 20 Theatre in Merriam, Kansas and will start at 7:00 p.m.

All you have to do is go to: http://www.gofobo.com/main/sweepstakes/TheHobbitMediaMikes and register. On Monday, December 8, (25) random entries will be chosen and those chosen will receive a pass for (2) to attend the screening. Winners will be notified via email on Tuesday, December 9.

“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” opens nationally on Wednesday, December 17, 2014

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Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: 3d, armies, battle, city, hobbit, kansis, ...

Film Review “The Homesman”

Starring: Hilary Swank, Tommy Lee Jones and John Lithgow
Directed by: Tommy Lee Jones
Rated: R
Running time: 2 hours 2 mins
Roadside Attractions

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Meet Miss Mary Bee Cuddy (Swank). Strong, healthy…single. Mary has an impressive ranch, livestock, money in the bank and a nice home. What she doesn’t have is a husband. She often entertains gentlemen callers, making them a fine dinner and then singing for them. But no luck. When she finally takes the bull by the horns and proposes marriage to one of her callers she is flatly turned down. “Sorry,” the would be beau says as he leaves the house, “you’re too bossy!”

A story about resilience, forgiveness and redemption, “The Homesman” is a well-cast, well-intentioned film that hopefully read better in its original novel form. The basic plot concerns three women (Grace Gummer, Miranda Otto and Gro Svendsen) living in the Nebraska Territory who have “taken ill” and are now believe to be mentally unstable. They have done horrible things and are being shipped to a minister in Iowa and his wife for caretaking. Mary volunteers to take the women on their journey and, after coming across a claim-jumper (Jones) on the verge of being hanged, has him accompany her in exchange for saving his life. With the women secured in the back of an enclosed wagon the two set out on the nearly five week adventure, bonding somewhat along the way. Somewhat.

As co-star, director and co-writer/producer, Tommy Lee Jones wears many hats (including an impressive black one in the film). He moves the story along well, not spending a lot of time on any external storylines. Unfortunately this sometimes works against him as a majority of the film feels like a series of clever “moments” that occur when the story calls for them. The cast does fine, with familiar names like Tim Blake Nelson, James Spader, William Fichtner and Barry Corbin doing good, solid work.

Another positive is the beautiful, picture-like scenery that Jones and Rodrigo Prieto, his cinematographer, discover on location. The work here is similar to his Oscar nominated achievement with “Brokeback Mountain.”

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Win Passes to the Kansas City Advance Screening of “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” [ENDED]


Media Mikes has teamed up with 20th Century Fox to give (25) random readers (and three guests) a chance to attend the advance screening of “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.

The screening will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at the Legends 18 theatre in Kansas City, Kansas. The screening begins at 10:00 a.m.

All you have to do is go to http://www.gofobo.com/main/sweepstakes/medianight and register. On Thursday, December 11, 2014, (25) random entries will be selected and those selected will receive a pass for (4) to attend this special screening.

“Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb,” starring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Robin Williams, opens on Friday, December 19, 2014

Official Site: www.NightAtTheMuseumMovie.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NightAtTheMuseumMovies
Rating: Rated PG for mild action, some rude humor and brief language.

Synopsis:
Get ready for the wildest and most adventure-filled Night At the Museum ever as Larry (Ben Stiller) spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever

 

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Win Passes to the Kansas City Advance Screening of “Exodus: Gods and Kings” in 3-D [ENDED]

Media Mikes has teamed up with 20th Century Fox to give (50) random readers (and their guest) a chance to attend the advance screening of Ridley Scott’s new epic, “Exodus: Gods and Kings” in 3-D.

The screening will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at the Cinemark Theatre in Merriam, Kansas. The screening begins at 7:00 p.m.

All you have to do is go to http://www.gofobo.com/main/sweepstakes/mediaexodus and register. On Tuesday, December 9, 2014, (50) random entries will be selected and those selected will receive a pass for (2) to attend this special screening.

“Exodus: Gods and Kings,” starring Christian Bale and Joel Edgerton, opens on Friday, December 12, 2014

 

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Media Mikes’ 2014 Holiday Film Preview

As you just spent the last few days fighting those “Black Friday” crowds, making sure that for years to come your children will know that you paid $10.00 less than anyone else for their JAWS Lego set, why not set aside some family time and take in a movie?

This time of year not only brings jolly Saint Nick around but also a lot of what the studios deem their “prestige” films – the ones to remember come award time.  Of course, they occasionally sneak in a couple of stinkers as well.  Here is a list of both for you to plan your next cinema visit.  As usual, thanks to our friends at the Internet Movie Database for some synopsis information and, as always, remember that this list is not all-inclusive and that the opening dates are subject to change depending on the whims of the studios and where you live.  Enjoy!

 

DECEMBER 

ESCOBAR:  PARADISE LOST

Starring:  Benicio Del Toro, Josh Hutcherson

Directed by:  Andrea Di Stefano

While vacationing in Columbia, a young man meets the woman of his dreams and soon finds himself introduced to her uncle, the infamous drug dealer Pablo Escobar.

OSCAR CHANCES:  Not a lot of buzz on this film but Del Toro did win an Oscar for his Supporting work in “Traffic.”

 

STILL ALICE

Starring:  Julianne Moore, Kate Bosworth and Kristen Stewart

Directed by:  Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland

When Alice Howland (Moore), a noted linguistics professor, begins forgetting words she learns she is in the early stages of Alzheimer.

OSCAR CHANCES:  Moore, a four time nominee, is generating great word of mouth for a fifth nod.

 

TOP FIVE

Starring:  Chris Rock and Rosario Dawson

Directed by:  Chris Rock

A comedian tries to make it as a serious actor when his reality-TV star fiancé talks him into broadcasting their wedding on her TV show.  Rock, who also wrote the film, promises this film to carry the edge of his stand up.

OSCAR CHANCES:  Adam Sandler also appears but who am I to dream?

 

WILD

Starring:  Reese Witherspoon and Gaby Hoffman

Directed by:  Jean-Marc Vallee

A chronicle of one woman’s 1,100-mile solo hike undertaken as a way to recover from a recent catastrophe.

OSCAR CHANCES:  Like Julianne Moore, Witherspoon, who already has a Best Actress Oscar for her work in “Walk the Line,” is getting great word of mouth.  Director Vallee guided both Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto to Oscars last year in “Dallas Buyers Club” and earned a nomination himself for his editing of the film.

 

DECEMBER 12

DEMONIC

Starring:  Maria Bello and Frank Grillo

Directed by:  Will Canon

A police officer and a psychologist investigate the deaths of five people who were killed while trying to summon ghosts.  The story comes from James Wan (“Saw,” “Insidious,” “The Conjuring”) so hopefully this will be on the plus side of horror.

OSCAR CHANCES:  “Horror,” asks the Academy, “what is that?”

 

EXODUS:  GODS AND KINGS

Starring:  Christian Bale and Joel Edgerton

Directed by:  Ridley Scott

The defiant leader Moses (Bale) rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses (Edgerton), setting 600,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues.

OSCAR CHANCES:  Bale has one Oscar (Best Supporting Actor for “The Fighter”) and a second nomination while director Scott has been nominated three times, including for “Gladiator.”  Look for a lot of technical nods.

 

INHERENT VICE

Starring:  Joaquin Phoenix and Josh Brolin

Directed by:  Paul Thomas Anderson

In 1970, drug-fueled Los Angeles detective Larry “Doc” Sportello (Phoenix) investigates the disappearance of a former girlfriend.  Here’s a little trivia for you:  writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson’s production company is named Ghoulardi after the late night horror host his father, Ernie Anderson, used to portray on Cleveland television.  As a boy I loved Ghoulardi!

OSCAR CHANCES:  If Paul Thomas Anderson has made a bad film I’ve never seen it.  He and his casts are nomination magnets so look for plenty.

 

DECEMBER 17

THE HOBBIT:  THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES

Starring:  Martin Freeman and Cate Blanchett

Directed by:  Peter Jackson

The final episode of director Jackson’s “Hobbit” trilogy.  As he proved with the “Lord of the Rings” films, Jackson is a master storyteller and this last chapter should be amazing!

OSCAR CHANCES:  Technical across the board.

 

DECEMBER 19

ANNIE

Starring:  Quvenzhane Wallis and Jamie Foxx

Directed by:  Will Gluck

OK, the synopsis really has nothing to do with the Broadway musical except that Annie (Wallis) is an orphan and eventually she will sing “Tomorrow.”  This is the one film that I’m torn on.  I loved the original show – at one time it was so popular that when you went to audition for a musical you were told that you COULDN’T perform “Tomorrow” – so I’m trying to go in with blinders.  That fact that director Gluck only has a few PG-13 teen comedies on his resume, and that he helped produce the still horrible memory “About Last Night” remake makes me sad.

OSCAR CHANCES:  Young Miss Wallis remains the youngest Best Actress nominee EVER for her work in “Beasts of the Southern Wild” while Foxx not only has an Oscar for “Ray” but kicked ass in “Dreamgirls.”  I’m not looking for any here but hopefully I’ll be surprised.

 

THE GAMBLER

Starring:  Mark Walberg and Brie Larson

Directed by:  Rupert Wyatt

A literature college professor and high stakes gambler runs afoul of a loan shark and his bodyguard-like gangsters while he has an affair with one of his students.

OSCAR CHANCES:  Can’t see any.

 

TURNER

Starring:  Timothy Spall and Paul Jesson

Directed by:  Mike Leigh

An exploration of the last quarter century of the great, if eccentric, British painter J.M.W. Turner’s life.

OSCAR CHANCES:  Spall (probably best known as the band manager in “Rock Star” and Peter Pettigrew in the “Harry Potter” series, is getting huge word of mouth for his work here.  Writer/director Mike Leigh has seven previous nominations.

 

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM:  SECRET OF THE TOMB

Starring:  Ben Stiller and Rebel Wilson

Directed by:  Shawn Levy

Larry (Stiller) spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever.  The final film in the series sadly features the final performance of the great Mickey Rooney and one of the final performances of the beloved Robin Williams.

OSCAR CHANCES:  Technical?

 

DECEMBER 24

TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT

Starring:  Marion Cotillard

Directed by:  Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenn

Sandra, a young Belgian mother, discovers that her workmates have opted for a significant pay bonus, in exchange for her dismissal. She has only one weekend to convince her colleagues to give up their bonuses so that she can keep her job.

 

OSCAR CHANCES:  Cotillard is a past winner for “La Vie en Rose” and is always a threat to earn a nomination.

 

DECEMBER 25

AMERICAN SNIPER

Starring:  Bradley Cooper

Directed by:  Clint Eastwood

A Navy S.E.A.L. recounts his military career, which includes more than 150 confirmed kills.  Based on the life of the late Chris Kyle.

OSCAR CHANCES:  Everyone I’ve spoken to who has seen this predicts nods for Cooper, which would be his third year in a row, and Eastwood, who already has two directing Oscars on the shelf (“Unforgiven” and “Million Dollar Baby”).

 

BIG EYES

Starring:  Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz

Directed by:  Tim Burton

A drama centered on the awakening of the painter Margaret Keane, her phenomenal success in the 1950s, and the subsequent legal difficulties she had with her husband, who claimed credit for her works in the 1960s.  A true change of pace film for director Burton.

OSCAR CHANCES:  Waltz has two Supporting Actor awards (“Inglorious Basterds” and “Django Unchained”) while Adams has been nominated five times previously.

 

THE INTERVIEW

Starring:  Seth Rogen and James Franco

Directed by:  Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen

Dave Skylark (Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Rogen) run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show “Skylark Tonight.” When they discover that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show, they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists.  This is the second film co-directed by Rogen and his writing partner Goldberg, after the very funny “This is the End.”

OSCAR CHANCES:  “Comedy,” asks the Academy, “what is that?”

 

INTO THE WOODS

Starring:  Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and Johnny Depp

Directed by:  Rob Marshall

A witch (Streep) conspires to teach important lessons to various characters of popular children’s stories including Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel.  Based on the Tony Award winning musical by the legendary Stephen Sondheim.

OSCAR CHANCES:  Did I mention Meryl Streep is in it?  Director Marshall helmed “Chicago” to the Best Picture Oscar in 2003.

 

SELMA

Starring:  David Oyelowo and Carmen Ejogo

Directed by:  Ava DuVernay

The film looks at the lives of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and President Lyndon B. Johnson as well as the turbulent civil rights marches of the 1960s.

OSCAR CHANCES:  A supporting cast of previous nominees (Tim Roth, Oprah Winfrey and Tom Wilkinson) and winner (Cuba Gooding, Jr) bode well for a possible nod.  Oyelowo was brilliant last year in “Lee Daniels’ The Butler.”

 

UNBROKEN

Starring:  Jack O’Connell and Jai Courtney

Directed by:  Angelina Jolie

A chronicle of the life of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who was taken prisoner by Japanese forces during World War II.  As a long time follower of Lou Zamperini’s story this is one of my most anticipated films of the year.

OSCAR CHANCES:  The academy loves a good bio-film!

 

 

DECEMBER 31

A MOST VIOLENT YEAR

Starring:  Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain

Directed by:  J.C. Chandor

In New York City 1981, an ambitious immigrant fights to protect his business and family during the most dangerous year in the city’s history.

OSCAR CHANCES:  Both Isaac and Chastain are bright new stars in Hollywood.

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