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Book Review “The Dark Knight Manual: Tools, Weapons, Vehicles and Documents from the Batcave”

Author: Brandon T. Snider
Hardcover: 112 pages
Publisher: Insight Editions
Release Date: July 10, 2012

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

When I receive this book, before reading it, I figured it was just a neat little faux manual for the gadgets from the “Batman” films. Well let me know tell you I got a lot more than I expected. This book plays like a complete dossier to Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” trilogy. I can’t even describe this as a book since it is SOOOO much more. It even has aspects of a pop-up book since it is extremely interactive. This book took me hours to get through and I had trouble even turning each page since I did want to miss an inkling of information. For all those fans that are unable to cope that the final chapter of Nolan’s Batman saga is right around the corner, this is an absolute must and a perfect companion to this amazing trilogy.

This book is really the definitive guide to The Dark Knight’s tools, vehicles, and technologies. This ‘manual’ contains key sketches, diagrams, observations, and even top-secret documents. There is even documentation for Bruce Wayne’s collaborations with Lucius Fox at Wayne Enterprises. If that doesn’t’ sound cool enough this also contains removable documents, including the design and capability of the utility belt and the Batcave, as well as extensive detailed look at Batman’s weapons and gadgets. As a Batman fan, this is the ultimate look into how the Caped Crusader does what he does.

You can tell that this book was a labor of love by author Brandon T. Snider. Even though the book is a mere 112 pages, each page is jam packed with details and even come with sharp Easter eggs scattered throughout. I have a feeling that this book is going to be left on my coffee table for quite sometime to share with friends and family. This is just one of those books that you need to share and show everyone that steps through your door. If you need something to hold you over until July 20th for “The Dark Knight Rises”, this is the book for you, do not miss this.

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Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: batcave, book, dark, documents, knight, manual, ...

Film Review “Dark Shadows”

Starring: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer and Eva Green
Directed by: Tim Burton
PG 13
Running time: 1 hour 53 mins
Warner Brothers

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

As a boy of 10 I would run home from school every afternoon to catch the gothic soap opera “Dark Shadows.” The story of 18th century vampire Barnabas Collins roaming the streets in modern times, the show aired on ABC for six seasons and was a great training ground for future television stars like Kate Jackson, Dana Elcar, Conrad Bain, Abe Vigoda and David Groh. Even Harvey Keitel appeared in a couple of episodes. The show was unusual for its time as it blended romance and comedy with a dash of horror. This week, director Tim Burton and his frequent star Johnny Depp add their own quirky touches to a film that pays perfect homage to the series that inspired it.

In the 1750s, young Barnabas Collins (Justin Tracy) and his family leave Liverpool and head for the new world. There his father begins building his fortune in the fishing business. Though the family is well off, his father reminds Barnabas of the most important thing…”family is the only real wealth.” Barnabas is in love with the beautiful Josette (Bella Heathcote). However he has also dabbled around with the mysterious Angelique (Green). When he refuses Angelique’s pleas to be hers only she flies into a rage. It seems Angelique is a witch. She punishes Barnabas’ rejection by turning him into a vampire and then turning the town on him. He is quickly spirited off to the woods, chained into a coffin and buried, condemned to spend the rest of his unnatural life in darkness.

1972. In the town of Collinsport, Maine a construction crew unearths an odd object. Opening it they are suddenly attacked. Soon they are all dead, their blood drained from their bodies. As the police investigate a bus carrying the fair Victoria (also Heathcote) arrives. She has come to apply for the nanny position being advertised for by Elizabeth Collins Stafford (Pfeiffer). Upon arrival at the family mansion, she is quickly introduced to the residents: handyman Willie (Jackie Earle Haley), Elizabeth’s brother, Roger (Jonny Lee Miller), her daughter Carolyn (Chloe Grace Mortez), her nephew David (Gulliver McGrath) and the family psychiatrist, Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter). Finding his way to the mansion, Barnabas introduces himself and begins to assimilate himself back into the family. And a lost love to regain.

Cleverly written by Seth Grahame-Smith (author of the novel, “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Killer”), “Dark Shadows” is a faithful homage to the television show I remember, with a little more humor thrown in to keep the youngsters interested. The cast does a fine job with their character development, with Depp leading the way. His Barnabas is youthful in appearance and, as the 1970s were a time of unusual mod fashion, he blends right in. He is puzzled by some of the achievements he has missed, as well as finding the most comfortable place to take a nap. He also doesn’t understand why 15-year old Carolyn isn’t married yet (surprised, he tells her that she must “put her child bearing hips to good use”). Here horror takes a backseat to comedy, but the jokes work a majority of the time. The special effects are tame, as is the on-screen violence. But the film is not out to shock, it’s out to enlighten. As Barnabas begins to stir things up, he soon learns that, like his father used to tell him, family IS important. And it is this lesson that Barnabas uses to educate the others.

The film is typically Burton, combining color and whimsy together to form a backdrop that keeps the film moving at a brisk pace. The cast has fun with their roles, as well as with the early 1970s backdrop. The musical score, by long time Burton collaborator Danny Elfman, lends the film a perfect accompaniment. Like Steven Spielberg and John Williams, the two artists seem to share similar visions when discussing film. As a tribute to a television classic, “Dark Shadows” is right on the mark.

Amy Sorlie talks about writing shark thriller “Dark Tide”

Amy Sorlie is the writer of the new shark thriller “Dark Tide”, which stars Halle Berry. “Dark Tide” was the first screenplay from Amy and she took out some time with Media Mikes to discuss working on the film.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about the origin of the project “Dark Tide”?
Amy Sorlie: From a very young age, I was always very fascinated with sharks, especially Great Whites. They’re extremely mysterious creatures and provoke a fear unlike anything else. Like so many others, I was deeply affected by Spielberg’s JAWS and wanted to try and tap into the fear and write a really authentic shark film.

MG: What did you do in order to research sharks?
AS: Halle Berry plays a shark biologist who studies Great Whites. Through knowing their mannerisms and behavior, she has cornered the market on being able to swim outside the cage with them. I did quite a bit of research in the first initial drafts, but it was fun research for me and something I’ve always been interested in. I did a cage dive at the Farallon Islands and that was an amazing experience. I already had a lot of shark knowledge, so most of the research was in dealing with the locations and setting of the film.

MG: This was your first script, what was your biggest challenge?
AS: I think the biggest challenge was just taking it all in when Halle came on board and wrapping my head around the movie actually happening. The ramp up to production was really difficult because it fell apart a number of times and then everything happened so fast. That age old saying is true – once they pay you, they can do whatever they want. I think something that’s hard about the first one is that you’re trying to please everyone while attempting to protect the script, which is a balancing act. In the end, you just have to let go because some things are just out of the writer’s control.

MG: How do you feel the script was represented in the film?
AS: Ya know, this is a tough one. On one hand, I ‘m happy the film got made, but on the other, it’s always really difficult to see your work changed. It’s something every screenwriter will experience in their career and it would be dishonest to say I’m 100% happy with the final script. I think it had a lot of problems and the writer they brought in to do the production rewrite really didn’t have a strong understanding of the material. And unfortunately, some of the financial people involved were making creative choices and that’s always kind of a recipe for disaster. That said, it’s my first produced movie and I learned a great deal of what to do, what not to do and what’s out of my hands. I get compliments on my original screenplay all the time, so at the end of the day, that makes me really happy.

MG: What do you have planned next?
AS: I’m about to hit the market with a new script I just finished. It’s a really fun heist in the vein of Mr. & Mrs. Smith. I’m also shopping a cable pilot and working on a wilderness thriller with producer Matt Baer.

Titan Books to Publish “The Dark Knight Rises” Official Movie Novel

Novelization Based on the Final Chapter of Christopher Nolan’s Batman Trilogy from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures Scheduled for July 2012 Publication

New York, NY; London, UK (April 16, 2012) – Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Dark Knight Rises,” the much-anticipated final chapter in writer-director Christopher Nolan’s film trilogy featuring the legendary DC Comics character Batman, will be adapted into an official tie-in novel written by award-winning author Greg Cox and published by Titan Books, under a licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products.
Novelist Greg Cox is no stranger to Batman or the DC Comics Universe, having written the official novelizations for such major comic book storylines as Infinite Crisis (2006), 52 (2007), Countdown (2009), and Final Crisis (2010). He has produced numerous bestselling adaptations and original novels based on Star Trek, Underworld, Warehouse 13, and other popular properties. His original novel Terminator Salvation: Cold War won the 2010 Scribe Award for tie-in fiction, and CSI: Headhunter took the award in 2009.

“Batman is one of the most iconic characters of popular culture,” Titan Publisher Nick Landau said. “We’re tremendously excited to work with Warner Bros. on the novelization of ‘The Dark Knight Rises,’ especially since it is the culmination of everything Christopher Nolan has done with his amazing trilogy. This is a part of motion picture history.”

The publishing of Titan Books’ The Dark Knight Rises is timed to reach consumers worldwide on Tuesday, July 24, to coincide with the Warner Bros. Pictures release of “The Dark Knight Rises,” which opens in theatres on Friday, July 20, 2012.

About “The Dark Knight Rises”
Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Dark Knight Rises” is the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.
Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar® winner Christian Bale (“The Fighter”) again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake.

Returning to the main cast, Oscar® winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”) plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar® winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) reprises the role of Lucius Fox.
The screenplay is written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer. The film is produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven, who previously teamed on “Batman Begins” and the record-breaking blockbuster “The Dark Knight.” The executive producers are Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull, with Jordan Goldberg serving as co-producer. The film is based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by Bob Kane.
“The Dark Knight Rises” is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures. Slated for release on July 20, 2012, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

About Titan Publishing Group
Titan Publishing Group is an independently owned publishing company, established in 1981, comprising three divisions: Titan Books, Titan Magazines/Comics and Titan Merchandise. Titan Books’ rapidly growing fiction list encompasses original fiction and reissues, primarily in the areas of science fiction, fantasy, horror, steampunk and crime. Titan Books also has an extensive line of media and pop culture-related non-fiction, graphic novels, art and music books. The company is based at offices in London, but operates worldwide, with sales and distribution in the US & Canada being handled by Random House.

About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

About DC Entertainment
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics.

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Filed Under: Books Tagged With: books, dark, knight, movie, official, publish, ...

3D Blu-ray Review “Transformers: Dark of the Moon”

Directed by: Michael Bay
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Josh Duhamel
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Distributed by: Paramount Home Entertainment
Running Time: 154 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 5 out of 5 stars

The “Transformers” series has really turned into a love it or hate it series. Fans have been doing nothing but fighting Michael Bay after the very over-producing and story lacking “Revenge of the Fallen”. “Dark of the Moon” definitely makes up for some the mistakes of the film prior but also presents a few new issues of its own. The major issue is that film needs to be a least 30 minutes shorter. When I originally saw this film in 3D IMAX, I wasn’t completely in love with the film at first. After letting it sit a while and especially watching it at home, I had a chance to really enjoy it a lot more.

The Blu-ray presentation on this release is absolutely fantastic. This honestly has to be THE most action packed Blu-ray in my library and also the best use of a Blu-ray to date. This film’s audio track also shines boasting Paramount’s Dolby TrueHD 7.1, easily one of the best I have ever heard on Blu-ray…and almost blew up my surround sound. The 3D on the Blu-ray really works well with the film since it was actually filmed in native 3D. There are no cheap tricks used in this film with the effect. I actually enjoyed the 3D quite more at home then in the theaters and thought it was a lot more focused. The story, well, that’s a another story but by this time in the series I think we have come to understand that these are movies about robots and visual effects.

Let’s discuss the other details of the release besides the 3D Blu-ray. This set also includes a Blu-ray disc of the film in 2D, as well as DVD disc. I am a big fan of the new digital copy service called, Ultraviolet. If you haven’t took advantage of this amazing digital streaming service, this is the film to start with.

The special features on this release are out of control and jam packed. The biggest feature on the release is “Above and Beyond: Exploring Dark of the Moon” is a super extensive five-part documentary that runs about two hours. The really dive deep into the development of the film ranging from the design to location filming to the stunts to the amazing post-production. The next feature “Uncharted Territory: NASA’s Future Then and Now” runs about 30 minutes and focuses on exactly what its title suggests, no surprise here. “Deconstructing Chicago: Multi-Angle Sequences” is a visual effects featurette that is split in two parts. The first is called “Previsualizations”, which allows you to view the visual effects raw with optional commentary by Director Michael Bay and Previsualization Supervisor Steve Yamamoto. The second part is called “Visual Effects” which breaks down the VFX shots and also includes optional commentary by Visual Effects Supervisors Scott Farrar and Matthew Butler. Both these features are able to be viewed individually or side-by-side with the final shots. “The Art of Cybertron” is a collection of still focusing on the world of the alien robots. “The Dark of the Moon Archive” is another production feature focusing on the 3D, the Moscow World Premiere and the stunt performers. “The Sound of ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon'” is focused on the film’s sound engineering, which scores the film two Oscar nominations in Sound Mixing and Editing. Lastly there is a collection of teasers/trailers and other promotional material in “The Matrix of Marketing”. Overall amazing extras for an amazing release.

Blu-ray Review “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark”

Directors: Troy Nixey
Starring: Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce, Bailee Madison, Bruce Gleeson, Eddie Ritchard
MPAA Rated: R
Distributed: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Running Time: 99 minutes

Film Score: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

When you have a horror film, or any film, that is written and produced by Guillermo del Toro, you set your expectations very high. This film unfortunately disappoints and fails to delivers his usual charm. The film is a remake of the 1973 horror film of the same title but it doesn’t capture the same spark that the first film did. One of the film’s faults is that it is an R-rated film that plays like a PG-13 rated film.

The film follows a young girl, Sally, who moves to live with her father and his new girlfriend in a 19th-century mansion, that her father is restoring. During Sally’s exploration of the old mansion, she starts to finds out that creatures are living in the basement. Her curiosity ends up releasing them loose in the house and she finds out that they have a lust for little children.

I actually really enjoyed the performances from Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce and specifically Bailee Madison. They all gave decent performances, especially for a horror film. I wish that they also didn’t show the creatures as much as they did. It could have been a lot more successfully if we didn’t have a close up on them each scene. The Blu-ray looks clear and definitely uses the dark scenes to deliver great picture. The sound also is great but I wish the film was more suspenseful because it could have benefited more.

The special features are slim but decent overall. There is a behind the scenes featurette, which consists of three parts. The first focuses on “The Story”, the second focuses on “Blackwood’s Mansion” and the last focuses on “The Creatures”. I feel that it covers all the proper grounds and gives decent insight into the films story and production. There is also a Conceptual Art Gallery included and it is actually decent, especially since it feels like it comes from Guillermo del Toro’s mind. Lastly, the film comes with the new instant streaming using UltraViolet digital copy.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: afraid, bluray, dark, review

Film Review “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark”

Starring: Guy Pearce, Katie Holmes and Bailee Madison
Directed by: Troy Nixey
Rated: R
Running time: 1 hour 39 mins
Miramax

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro describes the 1973 “made for television” film “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” as the scariest movie ever made for that medium. While my first choice would actually be “Trilogy of Terror,” it was pretty scary to my 13-year old mind. del Toro is the producer behind the new version of the Kim Darby/Jim Hutton (Tim’s dad) scare-fest and, while it has a few good moments, it’s another unnecessary new film based on an old film.

In a quiet part of Rhode Island, little Sally (Madison) has been sent by her mother to live with her dad, Alex (Pearce) and his girlfriend Kim (Holmes). Unhappy with the move, Sally is a brooding child. When she spies a broach that Kim is wearing Kim tells her, “my mother gave it to me.” “My mom gave ME to my dad,” Sally replies. She is also unhappy about the house, an old mansion that we’re introduced to in a prologue that makes the “is it safe?” scene in “Marathon Man” look like fun. While exploring the grounds Sally discovers a hidden basement. What she finds inside will make you think twice before you look for a quarter under your pillow.

With one seventeen-minute short film on his resume’, Troy Nixey certainly seems like an odd choice to direct a feature horror film. The film moves well but it’s obvious that Nixey (as well as screenwriters del Toro and Matthew Robbins) have been influenced by what they’ve seen before, including “Poltergeist,” “Gremlins,” “The Amityville Horror” and del Toro’s own “Pan’s Labyrinth.” Though there is some blood and violence, the majority of the scares depend on how they are set up. I can put a camera over someone’s shoulder, play the music loud and, when I feel like it, throw a cat up on screen to make everybody jump. There are no flying cats, thank goodness, but a lot of the scares are basically Horror Movie 101. I would LOVE to have seen what del Toro would do with it.

The cast tries it’s best to convey the terror. As little Sally, Madison appears to be in full “Damien” mode at first. Quiet and brooding, she begins to try to make friends with the creatures that live in the basement and want her to be their friend. Holmes is strong as the young woman not prepared to be a mother, even in a temporary roll. Pearce, looking creepily like a young Mark Wahlberg or Scott Glenn, circa “Urban Cowboy,” is also strong as his Alex must first battle with Sally’s mood then the eventual creatures that she encourages with her action. The visual effects, by effects maestros Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger, are a little jumpy, with the creatures resembling Salacious Crumb, the little guy that sat on Jabba the Hutts’ lap in “Return of the Jedi.”

“That place is unsafe for children,” a local handyman repeatedly tells Alex and Kim about the basement. Unsafe? I guess so. But, with the exception of a few scares, there’s really no reason to be afraid of the dark. I wasn’t.

Interview with Johnson Phan

Johnson Phan is currently appearing the “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” playing the character Shang Tsung. Johnson is appearing in the TV series “True Justice” with Steven Seagal, and also in Syfy’s “Sanctuary”. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Johnson about his role in the series, what he hardest stunt was and what we have planned upcoming.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us how you got involved with “Mortal Kombat: Legacy”?
Johnson Phan: The timing of everything was perfect. With what was going on in my life at the time and “MK: Legacy” coming to Vancouver. I seriously felt it was a combination of the universe and my energy aligning with one another and of course. Also it was the fact that I did my homework as an actor and was able to fully commit myself and connect to the material during the audition process. Then a few days before they started shooting “MK” the opportunity landed into my lap and I was prepared to handle it.

MG: How was it playing such an iconic character such as Shang Tsung?
JP: Mike, it was a surreal feeling Dude! I grew up playing the video game all day at the arcades and watching the movies so basically, I almost pissed my pants when Maria, my agent, called me about booking the gig. How fuckin’ awesome is it to be playing Shang Tsung?…one of the most bad ass villains out there! Come on it doesn’t get any cooler than that. Once I calmed down… fear and nervousness kicked in. Shang Tsung being such an iconic character and I wanted to make sure that I was able to be honest with what I was doing in the reality of the “MK: Legacy” world. I know how many people love this franchise, so I of course “at the end of the day” want to entertain everyone and deliver the goods. Thanks to Kevin for all his support was able to connect and stay grounded to what I was doing

MG: How was it working with Kevin Tancharoen?
JP: Kevin Tancharoen, is one cool cat! It was an incredible experience working with him and I’m not just saying that so I could be in his next project [laughs]. He was super easy to talk to and work with. He was also very specific and detailed with what he wanted. It was great to work with someone who was so hands on with every aspect of the project from the set decoration stuff, to one of the actors hair styles, to another actors gloves, to the movement and mannerisms of an actor’s delivery. Kevin did all of his homework and has lots of passion for what he is doing, so the positive energy on set was very infectious. He is a very personable dude with a hella creative mind so watch out for him world!

MG: You are no stranger to web series format, tell us about “Chasing Mood”?
JP: “Chasing Mood” is basically a web series that kinda feels like “Seinfeld” mashed together with “Entourage”. You have a bunch of interesting characters that share the trials and tribulations of life together, sometimes supporting each other and for the most part just creating awkward moments. The show was created by the very talented Mr Leslie Birch and Mr Curtis Lum. “Chasing Mood” is one of the funniest experiences that I’ve had on set. The director and writer Leslie Birch gave us actors the flexibility to do lots of improv and play around with the written material. The creation of the show is what got me interested on being part of the team. You’ve got a talented group of people looking to create their own opportunities in the film industry by investing their own money and taking control of their careers. How awesome is that? How can I not jump on board and support this? When you love and have passion for something… Don’t let others control when you are able to do it, take the steps necessary to make things happen for you and control your own career and destiny.

MG: You’ve worked stunts on some big films, “Watchmen” & “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief”, what has been your hardest stunt to perform?
JP: Hmmmm, When I think about this question…there is one specific project that comes to mind, that I’m hesitant to you talk about [laughs]. One of the main reasons being that, as a “Stunt Performer” you never really talk about your injuries or wine about things and with this experience I’m going to share with you today, it will sound like a little bit of both the people who are close to me will understand and know my intentions. Just sharing an experience here! Not complaining or no wining here, so here we go… STORY TIME! It all took place on Season 5 of the TV show “Psych” and I was hired as a stunt actor, so I basically was one of the main villains of the episode the Episode “Romeo and Juliet and Juliet”. As a stunt actor you are required to ACT and do your own STUNTS, think of it kinda like an action actor (Jackie Chan). My character Teno Tan had two fight scenes, both incorporating lots of action and martial arts fighting normally this wouldn’t be difficult for me… so here’s why it was my ”hardest stunt”. A month before this “Psych” show, I injured my lower back training. When I got the gig not only was I not fully recovered, but my muscles were stiff and joints were tight and because of the injury and condition I was in, it made filming for me very difficult the action sequences demanded a lot from me. One of the fights was with another stunt performer, and it was an all-out hand to hand with flying kicks in the fight scene. The second fight scene was the final fight with the lead of the show himself Mr James Roday. I had to chase him around a martial arts dojo and fight him with a sword and of course doing a fight scene with the lead of a show you have to be so much more careful, so the pressure was on like a mother fucker! Here’s where things get interesting…because of my lower back injury, my body was very weak and had to adjust and compensate and because of all of the strain and compensation, it threw my whole body off balance which led me to tare my left quad and dislocate my right shoulder during rehearsal. So now I’m broken all over the place and we haven’t even started filming yet. It was a five day shoot and I was gimped and there was no way I was going to quit or be recast. The role itself was a great opportunity for me and I couldn’t let it slip. So I did a lot of praying and eventually got through it all and delivered the goods. I thank the universe that I was working with such a talented stunt team and was able to finish filming. These guys all helped support me, and not only made me look good but made my performance possible because of all the adjustments. Thanks you Dan Shea, Jeff Ong and Brian Ho you guys ROCK! That was my Hardest Stunt!

MG: What other projects do you currently how in the works?
JP: I got a TV show called “True Justice” with Steven Seagal, where I play “Chai” the Yakuza gangster and most recently the TV show “Sanctuary”.

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Filed Under: Film Interviews Tagged With: aftershock, dark, passage, vi

Interview with Aleks Paunovic

Aleks Paunovic is currently appearing the “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” playing the character Shao Kahn. Aleks is also appearing in this fall’s “This Means War” and “In the Name of the King 2”. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Aleks about his roles in both projects and also what he has planned next.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us how you became involved with “Mortal Kombat: Legacy”?
Aleks Paunovic: I was fortunate enough because I went out for a casting and I had a really good relationship with the casting director. Probably about a month after I got a call that I got the role.

MG: Where you familiar with character of Shao Kahn before this project?
AP: I was and I was apprehensive about doing that role. I didn’t quite understand how I would fit in the mold. It was so great the route that Kevin took “Rebirth” and with “Legacy” opened where this project can go with his fresh vision. I was scared at first if the fans of “Mortal Kombat” would jump on board with me being Shao Kahn. Once I understood the vision Kevin had I was very comfortable and confident playing him.

MG: What do you like most about the character?
AP: Kevin was one a shoe string budget and we were just trying to understand it. For me, just knowing the immense popularity of that role and basically the baddest bad guy. In this we find in Kevin’s vision how bad Shao Kahn can be and how involved the character can do. That to me was excited knowing that from the ground floor you can get some really good character development.

MG: You have worked with fellow “MK: Legacy” co-star, Tahmoh Penikett, a few times now with “Battlestar Gallactica” and “Riverworld”, tell us about that?
AP: I am pretty sure it was a coincidence but Tahmoh and I have been best friends for years, off screen. We were just in Toronto to watch the biggest UFC in history. We grapple around and hang out often. Our biggest connection as friends is the fight games. He is a phenomenal fighter. So we train a lot together. He is one of my best friends.

MG: You have worked on a bunch of projects with SyFy, do you enjoy working in that genre?
AP: Oh man, I love the sci-fi genre! It is an interesting world to be apart of because the fans are so dedicating and loving and they just want you to succeed. When you get involved with the fan view of a project, I think that is the best thing as an actor to connect with fans. They want these films to be good and they want to help your growth. It has been awesome. I love that genre.

MG: What would you consider your most challenging project to date?
AP: Well there are two projects and they happened back to back. The first was a film called “Personal Effects” directed by David Hollander. Ashton Kutcher, Michelle Pfeiffer and Kathy Bates were in it. I played a mental challenged man, who ends up killer Ashton Kutcher’s sister. In the film, I had to develop this different character. I felt that the character I was playing was not suppose to work out, so I stopped. I didn’t even do a push up for a few months and ate as much as I could. So I wanted to look really out of shape. Besides that though the role was very dark and for me that was the hardest but it was also very rewarding. It was great getting to work with those actors and I was really proud of my role. After that I did a project called “Fireball” and I had to switch it up and loose the weight and put on as much muscle as I could. I was playing a steroid freak football player, who likes to set things on fire. So both of those projects back to back were tough. I find though that the most challenging projects I do are also the most rewarding.

MG: Tell us about your involvement with “In the Name of the King 2”?
AP: I got cast as the right hand man to the King played by Dolph Lundgren. I played a guy named Allard and I go on this mission with the King. It was really cool experience.

MG: You appear with fellow “MK: Legacy” co-star Kevan Ohtsji in “This Means War” directed McG, tell us about working on this?
AP: That was so great. McG is quite a character with such immense energy. Tom Hardy, I am a huge fan of him. I had a quick little cameo with him. I want to get more involved with doing comedy. I am 6’5 and 250lbs, so I get a lot of jobs kicking the crap out of people but I really love comedy.

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Interview with Susan Sullivan

Susan Sullivan is known for her role of Martha Rogers on ABC’s hit show “Castle”. With the show approach its end of season three and is hotter than ever, Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Susan about her role and what we can expect for season four.

Mike Gencarelli: What do you like most about playing Martha Rogers on “Castle”?
Susan Sullivan: I think when you are cast well in something, the character sort of mirrors and crystallizes your own dynamics. It really brings out where you are in your life and also certain things you are experiencing. The whole aspect of aging, feeling a little marginalized, trying to stay alive and in the game and youthful. All of those aspects are fun for me to explore because [laughs], I am exploring them in my own life.

MG: What has been your inspiration for her character?
SS: My real inspiration for this character is my own mother, who is 94 and still with us, God bless her. She is someone that is always offering advise to people and who is very helpful. She is like this wise old soul, plus she has a lot of energy and incite…that she readily shares. I think I try to incorporate parts of my mother into the character. In fact Martha being a life coach was my mother’s idea. We even put one of my mothers lines in the show, “You is who you is and if you ain’t who you is, who is you?”, which she says on a daily basis [laughs]. So that is my personal inspiration and of course as we grow older we sort of become our mothers, so there you go.

MG: The family dynamic that you have on the show is just great, how was it been working with Nathan Fillion and Molly Quinn?
SS: It is just great. Of course even if it wasn’t I would tell you it is but in this case it actually is [laughs]. I think it would be really hard to fake that. We have this really connectedness. I look at Nathan now and I said “Wow we are starting to even look a like, when did that happen?” Of course Molly is completely delightful. In relationships, it is always wonderful when you have something to learn from the person you are with. I learn a lot from both of them in very different ways. We have a really profound connection.

MG: Do you have a favorite episode from the series to date?
SS: Well on a personal level, yes. I don’t know if it was necessarily one of the better episodes. When I find out that Chet has died and dealing with that loss and how one comes to terms with that. That was really interesting for me as an actor and as a woman.

MG: You have worked on various TV series, how do you find this show differs from them?
SS: Each show has its own personality and style. Of course “Dharma and Greg” was a sitcom, so that was completely different and also she was sort of an abrasive character. Each character you play, you tend to bring the character home with you. For Martha, I would have to say is that she has so much life force about her and she is wonderful to encounter. I would have to say that she is probably one of my favorite characters, even though you don’t see a lot of her. But that is sort of good too.

MG: Any sneak as to what we can expect for the end of this season?
SS: Well [laughs], I must tell you it is one of these shows where so much happens in one episode. I read the script and said this should be a two-parter. I think they even shot enough for a two-parter, so I know a lot of that episode will be left on the cutting room floor. Well, it is going to be a complete surprise, with all the turns and angles. This is a show about turns that surprise and if the turns don’t surprise you in the storyline then it isn’t much fun. Hang on to your hat kid, because this is a whirlwind. I can tell you that.

MG: Not sure what you can tell about next season but will Martha have new love interest?
SS: Oh, I am sure several [laughs]. I insist in fact, it is in my contact.

MG: What else are you currently working on?
SS: For the month of June, I will be doing a play called “Love, Loss and What I Wore”. It is at the West Side Theater in New York. It is with a rotating cast of actresses, five women. So if anyone is in New York and is a “Castle” fan…look it up!

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Interview with Derrick Denicola

Derrick Denicola stars in the upcoming independent film “Go For It” which opens in theaters Friday May 13^th. Derrick took time out of his busy schedule to talk with Movie Mikes about his career and his new film.

Adam Lawton: Can you tell us how you first got into acting?
Derrick Denicola: I started acting in college. When I was going through the book of classes I really didn’t know what I wanted to do. There were some improvisational classes that sounded fun however you had to be a theater major to take them. I decided I would declare myself a theater major so I could take those classes and until I figured out what I wanted to do. Once I got started I really fell in love with it and never looked back.

AL: Was there something in particular that sparked that love?
DD: Yes. At LSU where I went they had a peer mentoring group where a senior would take around a freshman and show them the campus as well as some classes. While I was doing this I got to see a rehearsal for a play. I saw all the great work that the actors were putting into this play and I left with such a creative high that I knew from that moment that acting was what I wanted to do.

AL: Can you tell us what it was like working with Michael Ironsides in “Mutants”?
DD: I didn’t have any scenes with Michael but I did get to see him work as we were on set at the same time. He is extremely professional and very intimidating! He is a very big guy who knows exactly what he’s doing. You can really learn from him by just watching how he gives himself to the creative process. It was a joy to watch him work.

AL: What was it like showing up on set for your first film role?
DD: I had more anxiety sitting in a trailer or at home reading the script hoping that I would do a good job more than anything. A strange thing happens when you walk on set though and you see everything lit up and the cameras ready. The nervousness starts to go away and your acting instincts start to kick in. You start to see the set as what it’s meant to be rather than a movie set.

AL: Can you tell us about your role as Sebastian in “Ben and Jakes Big Deal”?
DD: That was a small independent film that was in a way experimental. The actors had a chance to write the script for the film. We were each given four pages of guidelines for where the story was supposed to go. How we got there was up to us. I was surrounded by some really funny people during that project. Currently I don’t know what is happening with that film but I imagine the end result is going to be something completely disastrous or unique and genius.

AL: From all your projects do you have one that sticks out as a favorite?
DD: They all are special in their own ways. “Go For It” which comes out May 13^th has really stuck with me. Both the film and the people I have met along the way have been really great! Meeting Carmen Marron has been one of the most inspiring things that has ever happened to me. Just getting to hear how the movie got made is just as good as the movie itself. Carmen was a guidance counselor with no film experience and her and her husband saved up all the money themselves to make this film!

AL: Can you tell us a little more about “Go For It”
DD: “Go For It” is an inspirational dramedy which features a really great cast and I think the film will have something for everyone. Aimee Garcia from the George Lopez show is in the film as well as Gina Rodriguez. It’s really just a wonderful cast and we are all hoping to make some really positive role models for young people. I play Jared in the film that’s the love interest of the main character Carmen. During the film the character of Carmen has to make a choice as to what she loves more be it Jared or dancing.

AL: Do you have any other upcoming projects?
DD: You actually caught me on the best day! I just finished a meeting with a production company to shoot a pilot I wrote. I will also have a role in the project as well as being the director. The project is called “Unreal Estate Agents”. This will be my first time directing and production is scheduled to start in about a month. I am really excited for this project!

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Interview with Beatrice King

Beatrice King is currently appearing the “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” playing the character Queen Sindel. Peter is also appearing in the Seth Rogan lead film titled, “50/50″ this Fall. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Beatrice about his roles in both projects and also whatshe has planned next.

Mike Gencarelli: How did you get involved with the “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” web series?
Beatrice King: I originally auditioned for the role of Meleena in Vancouver and they really liked my audition. From there I was considered for the role of Queen Sindel. A short time later I was notified by the casting director that I got the role.

MG: Were you familiar with the Sindel character prior to your audition?
BK: I had been because my brother grew up playing “Mortal Kombat”. However I would have to say that some of the research I did on the character came into the role but, a large portion of it came from the script. I wanted to make sure everything was right because Kevin’s vision of the series is different from the video game.

MG: How was it working with Kevin?
BK: He is fantastic! I loved working with him. He’s a young guy with an incredible vision. He took the time to work with each actor one on one for each scene which is something he wanted. Personally I like a director who really communicates what they want. I think when a director does this it brings the project to a whole new level creatively.

MG: How was your experience working on a web series compared to television or a film?
BK: I thought that this project really felt like a feature film. I didn’t feel like a web series at all. Having such a great cast as well as Kevin and Warner Bros. involved really helped. Every person involved I think looked at this project as a labor of love and put everything they had into each of their parts.

MG: Can you tell us about the film you did recently with Seth Rogan titled “50/50”
BK: That film is scheduled to come out later this fall and is kind of a darker comedy. It was really interesting and I am very excited for it. I think when the audience thinks of Seth Rogan they think more about the projects he has done. This film is really different and I think it’s going to offer something really new in the way of Hollywood comedy.

MG: How was it working with “Glee” star Cory Monteith on “Sisters and Brothers”?
BK: It was great! I had actually worked with Cory before on the television series “Kaya”. I also am friends with Alie Liebert so it felt just like working with friends and really great people who are all incredibly talented. Everyone was really welcoming and making sure each other was comfortable on set and with the director.

MG: You also worked on “Strange Magic” by J.K. Rowling. Can you tell us about that?
BK: That was filmed in Victoria and I had to really work on my British accent for that which was an incredible process. I always have enjoyed working on new characters and accents. I find that very rewarding as an actor to be able to portray someone totally different. I feel really fortunate because this was another project that everyone was really supportive of one another. You really were made to feel part of the team. I played the secretary of a literary agency in that film and it felt very natural to work in that environment because I was an English major in school.

MG: Did you get the chance to meet J.K. Rowling during the filming process?
BK: No not during filming. But we were at the table read and the person who played J.K. in the film looked so much like her it was incredible. I think viewers are really going to find similarities to the real J.K. Rowling.

MG: If you could choose one actor to work with who would it be?
BK: I would have to say off hand probably Natalie Portman when I was studying acting at a young age her role in “Beautiful Girls” really inspired me. However before I did “50/50” I would have said Joseph Gordon-Levitt because I had followed his career and how he has branched out but it seems to be changing from time to time but for now it’s Natalie Portman.

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Interview with Brian Mahoney

Brian Mahoney is known for his role as Detective Duffy in “The Boondock Saints” film series. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Brian about “Boondock” and what it was like working on the films.

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Mike Gencarelli: How did you get involved with “The Boondock Saints” for the first film?
Brian Mahoney: The script was at New Line Cinema at the time. I had a girlfriend who was working at New Line and I was tracking everything that came into that studio. I was reading scripts and that one just caught my attention. The structure of “The Boondock Saints” was just so different. It has a real edge to it. I got on early on when Harvey Weinstein was telling Troy (Duffy) he would buy him during the bidding war with New Line. It was a hot property.

Mike Gencarelli: Your scenes brought out some of the great comedy from the film, was it fun filming it?
Brian Mahoney: [Laughs] Dude I can even tell you how much fun it is hanging out with Bob Marley. First of all he is a kick-ass comedian. I got to be his straight man for two different movies. It is tough. It was clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right kind-of thing. Troy wanted me to be the straight guy who is quiet and smart. It was tough to keep a straight face. There was a lot of funny stuff going on in between scenes. I gotta tell you though, spend ten minutes with Bob Marley and you will ache from laughing so hard.

Mike Gencarelli: Were you excited to be reprising your role in “All Saints Day”?
Brian Mahoney: Yeah, I really was. When I read the script and got to the part where the brothers are hiding in the bar and the detectives come in and we agree to do a mission with them. It called the ‘reveal’ scene. When I got to that I was like jumping for joy. Detective Duffy gets more to do this time. It was a real thrill getting to work with these guys again. They really are a good group of guys.

MG: So your character Detective Duffy has a bigger role in the second film?
BM: It gets better and better. The second film is almost like my coming out party for me as an actor. The first film I was really lucky to be there with Willem Dafoe the whole time. I got to learn from him and whatnot, but I didn’t do a lot. The second film I am more interacting with ‘the boys’ and it is a real thrill.

MG: Fans really seems to dig these films and are always quoting the films, do you have a favorite line?
BM: Yah, David della Rocco is a good friend of mine and my favorite line is when he blows away the cat in the first film as says “Is it dead yet?”. That’s great. You just got to know Rocco and Rocco is as fun as Bob Marley. Sometimes without intending to be. He is a real cool guy and I think a lot of that shows up on screen.

MG: What’s up next? Do you think you will work with Troy Duffy again?
BM: Yeah I hope to be working with Troy again. I think he is going to have a long career. People around town are starting to take Troy more seriously now. He is two for two with his films and the guy has a cult following. As for me I got irons in the fire, I came close to a couple of things. I went up for this cool movie called “Cowboys & Aliens”. I thought I had a chance to work with Harrison Ford. I didn’t get it though it went to someone a little more famous. I am getting close. I just read for a show called “Big Love” on HBO. I got a couple more agents interested in me right now. I also got the chance to do a small part in an upcoming Matt Damon movie called “The Adjustment Bureau”. I had one scene with just me and Matt Damon. I play the owner of a bar called ‘The Fish Market’. It will probably be cut though since a film shoots so many hours of footage and then have to cut to down to 2 hours. If I make it in the movie that cool if not it is still going to be a great movie. The primary thing is I am working on my book right now called “A Cobra Pilot in Hollywood”. It is about my transition from the cockpit to the silver screen. My first career was a military aviator. I am trying to work on that, raising a kid and doing a lot of auditions. It is like crazy time right now.

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Interview with Lin Shaye

Lin Shaye is well known for her comedic roles in “There’s Something About Mary”, “Kingpin” and “Dumb and Dumber” and also her horror roles in 1984’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “2001 Maniacs”. She recently stars as Granny Boone again in “2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams”. MovieMikes had the pleasure to talk with Lin about her recent role in the “2001 Maniacs” sequel and also discussed with her about her passion for acting.

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Mike Gencarelli: Tell us how you got the role of Granny Boone in “2001 Maniacs”?
Lin Shaye: Well, I have worked with Tim before. I met him when I did “Detroit Rock City”. We had a friendship and a good work relationship. He told me about the movie but like all things you are never sure what is going to happen, but then we got funding. Originally the character had a whole different concept planned for her. Tim kept talking about “The Beverly Hillbillies” grandmother and he envisioned her in a coon-skin cap. When we saw the original place we were going to be shooting it was a living museum in a place called Lumpkin, Georgia. It is a civil war reenactment museum. It was fantastic. When we saw Granny Boone’s “house” it was a white mansion and we rethought it on the spot. I insisted she needed to be more like a southern belle. We ended up sewing this outfit together on me just before we shot the first day and Granny Boone was born. She was a cross between Scarlett O’Hara and a black widow spider.

Mike Gencarelli: What originally drew you to the role?
Lin Shaye: It is a really good story. It is about these people who are avenging themselves against war. It caters well to the horror population. Between Tim, the storyline and the idea of this women as Scarlett O’Hara eating people, I thought that sounded good. So there we were. The story is quite wonderful.

Mike Gencarelli: How do you feel your character grows or changes in “2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams”?
Lin Shaye: It took almost six years before we got the second one going. By that time Granny took on this wonderful flavor of a real woman who is trying to bring some peace to herself even in this horrible vicious or gruesome way. Tim also gave me a lot more to do in the second one. We filled in her relationship with Mayor Buckman. They have this odd love affair. I love the scene in the second one when she is trying to wake him up by singing or being flirtatious and all he cares about is snoring and his weapon, it is the typical male/female relationship. Granny is more of leader in the second one as well which is lots of fun for me.

MG: What was the most challenging part of your role in “2001 Maniacs: Field the Screams”?
LS: The challenges were more on the technical side. We had such huge time restraint. We made this movie in like 11 days. If you can believe that. Everyone brought there a-game. It was one of the most amicable sets that I have ever been on. Tim is a very joyful human being, extremely positive and optimistic. He really is a fine director. He made the time restraints easier. The hardest thing for me personally was the flashdance sequence, since it was kind of written in after the fact. I remember getting the material and being surprised it was a whole song I kind of had to learn. Besides me there were three other “gals” and I was the dance captain so to speak. They hired a choreographer for us and we had like a few hours to learn it. It was kind of a nightmare. We couldn’t learn it. It was too hard for me and I was ready to give-up. We were spending all this time and energy and it is going to look like shit I thought. When we finally set shot it, it seems to work well. Tim had it all worked out that that is what is great about him. So that was basically the hardest day for me. Yet it came out great and I think it is hilarious. I think the fans are really going to love it.

MG: Are you a fan of horror films in general?
LS: [laughs] I am not a fan at all. The best horror film to me to date is still, “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, which I do have a tiny part in. They do not scare me and I have no fascination with blood or guts other than my appreciation of special effects and makeup. The horror fans are an incredible community. I just worked with James Wan, who directed the first “Saw” movie. So I am getting work in this genre but I never question why I just say, “Yes”.

MG: Your role in the original “A Nightmare on Elm Street” is still referenced today as having a major impact, how does that make you feel?
LS: It is no secret Bob Shaye is my brother who started New Line Cinema. I am proud of that. I was invited to work on the film. The teacher was just a little small role with this fun little catch all at the end about the hall pass. None of us ever know what is going to strike a cord in people. Sometimes it is the most unlikely kind of thing. I really try to do my best. When we did “Elm Street”, I was just excited to be in the movie. It was big deal for New Line but I had no idea. The film has had all this longevity and spawned this whole mega-series of films. Robert Englund became Robert Englund. People still remember the role of the teacher, though. I just remembered something actually, I got a review in the New York Times back when the movie came out. It spoke about the teacher and it mentioned that she was one of the most realistic people in the film. It was one of those moment and I said “Wow, I got picked out” for such a small contribution. It is thrilling and exciting.

MG: You also had some very memorable comedic roles in “There’s Something About Mary”, “Kingpin” and “Dumb and Dumber”, did you enjoy working those films?
LS: I love comedy. It is interesting because I never thought to myself that I am a comedian or I do comedy. I feel like I am an actor. I have been told I have excellent comedic timing. It is just something you feel. I am very grateful for that gift. I really do not think of comedy any different than I think about horror or any other genre. For me it is just finding the truth of the character and expanding their universe. When I did Magda in “There’s Something About Mary”, I thought this woman is really like agoraphobic and doesn’t really go out. I spoke to the wardrobe and I mentioned that she should just be in house coats. I had a whole back story made up for her that wasn’t in the script. She stays with Mary on her couch because she love her like a daughter. She also has Fluffy that she treats like her baby. It is through those serious thoughts comes the comedy. I think it is trying to move your mind outside of the character and from those elements comes things that are funny, scary and sad. If you are in a comedy you want to sustain the genre your in. You have to just feel it. You don’t want to play a comedy too heavy. That’s tragedy. But actually that can be funny too depending on how hard you cry [laughs]. I just love acting and the process. I recently turned down a big role in a movie for a smaller role. I felt that with the smaller role, I could do something better with it. I thought what the hell am I doing but the other role opened up my heart. I thought that is why I am an actor. That is what I look for. Acting for me is communication. If you can make people laugh there is nothing better. I walked into the theater when we did “Mary” and I remembering hearing the roar and it was so uplifting. With “Kingpin” also, I didn’t play her to be funny I thought she was tragic [laughs]. But people laughed at her, because she is so damn tragic. I have been doing this for so long but I still get as thrilled, scared, nervous and excited as I was the first time I ever worked once they say the words “Action”.

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Interview with Cindy Morgan

Cindy Morgan is best known as “Lacey Underall” in “Caddyshack”, and “Yori” in “Tron”. This year celebrates the 30th anniversary of “Caddyshack” and the return of “Tron” with its upcoming sequel “Tron: Legacy”. Movie Mikes had a chance to talk with Cindy about her road to becoming an actress and her experiences working on those films.

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Mike Gencarelli: You went from Catholic school girl to Lacey Underall in “Caddyshack”, tell us about that journey?
Cindy Morgan: From Catholic school to “Caddyshack” went this way, I was going to go to the Illinois Institute of Technology which is the mid-west version of MIT. I was accepted in and I wanted to be an engineer like my dad. The year I went, the school had four girls and all guys. I was fixed up for my prom and all I did was study, I said I can’t do this. I made a hard left turn and went to Northern Illinois University. My professor told me one day that I should get into communications. I remember my first time trying it because my whole body went numb. But after that I took everything as a challenge. I spent five years in broadcasting. I was either working in radio or television. If I was on the radio, I was a disc jockey and was FCC licensed sound engineer. On TV, when I did the weather I had not a clue what I was talking about but I had good ratings. From there I ended up doing The Morning Drive radio show in Chicago. I need some more money though so I asked to do more commercials and they told me they weren’t going to put me on camera. I said “the hell with you guys, I am going to LA”. They told me I wouldn’t get a job. I told them I will have a billboard on Sunset in one year. I had one in eight months. After getting a commercial for Irish Springs, I got a theatrical agent got the script for “Caddyshack”. Did you know how much that film was ad libbed? Rodney (Dangerfield) was running through a scene bug-eyed like a comedic juggernaut. Ted Knight kept getting angry. Chevy Chase and Bill Murray threw in their lines. It was crazy. When I finally saw it, it was like watching home movies of a family picnic. But the thing is we were really having a good time.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about working on “Caddyshack”? Any stories?
Cindy Morgan: It was fun but also a big challenge. When that camera rolls it was even playing field. I was playing a strong character going head to head against these guys. The first scene I shot was the high dive and I can’t dive and can barely swim. I climbed up to the board and set the whole shot and they cut to the real diver. My second shot was the nude scene. It was explained to me and understood it. The night before though one of the producers told me they are going to send a Playboy photographer down to shoot the scene. I told them I couldn’t do it. But the next day there was the photographer. I wouldn’t let him on set and the producer said he was taking away my paid ads and my billing and told me I would never work again. So they did. Nobody knows I was in “Caddyshack”, they know Lacey Underall. I know that I did the right thing though.

Mike Gencarelli: Switching from “Caddyshack” to “Tron”, two totally different roles how did you feel?
Cindy Morgan: It was very different actors. Very different people. Working in Florida with the “Caddyshack” crew was a very different experience then working on the studio lot for Disney. “Caddyshack” was “Animal House” on the golf course. With Disney everything was frame by frame and had word by word laid out. It was a whole different deal. I loved working with Jeff Bridges and Bruce Boxleitner. It was a ground breaking film. When we shot it, it was just a huge empty warehouse. None of the graphics were behind us. The reality we were going to find in these things were in each others eyes. That is all I can say. I am really got I did that film.

MG: What was it like working on the film “Tron”, was it a difficult shoot?
CM: Difficult in a lot of ways. They had specific storyboards and scenes laid out. This was the first time that CGI was ever done. The studio suits were roaming around the sets. With my character in “Tron”, I had to make certain adjustments so I could play her as real as I could. One line I choked on and the audience knows it. I went to the director and said I cannot say this line. The director also happened to be the writer so the line stayed in the movie. The line was “Oh Tron, I knew there was circuit build that could hold you” and the audience laughs every time.

MG: How did you feel when you saw “Tron” for the first time as a finished product?
CM: In the real world I was fine. In the computer world the dialogue was very tough. The graphics were gorgeous though. But as a whole I didn’t know if it would play to a wide audience. I knew it had a special niche. As it turns out that niche kept it alive and it grew and grew. The reality was there because the actors believed it and they were in it 100%.

MG: Can you believe how the film has tested time and still is so popular?
CM: It is so cool that almost 30 years later all of this is happening. I have a big smile on my face all the time.

MG: Give us a hint do you think we will get a chance to see “Yori” return in “Tron Legacy” or maybe its possible sequel?
CM: I think any number of things in possible because the bottom line Mike, it is science-fiction. Anything is possible. They shot footage of me when I was in San Francisco doing promotion. The producers working the viral campaign are all young men. They are paying very cool attention to the internet and what the fans are saying. There is even a ‘Yori Lives’ campaign going on but it is all up to the fans.

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Tag: dark

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Interview with Beatrice King

Interview with Brian Mahoney

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Interview with Cindy Morgan