Taraji P. Henson

Laff’s interviews with Hollywood stars

May 14th, 2009 at 9:00 pm by Laff at the Movies under Entertainment

CHECK OUT MY MOVIE INDUSTRY INTERVIEWS:

maggie-grace-interview-5-12-09Maggie Grace talks about “Taken”, “Lost”, and the possibility of filming in Michigan

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Maggie Grace interview

Actress Maggie Grace talks to Laff at the Movies about the movie “Taken” out on DVD this week.   In the movie, she co-stars with Liam Neeson and Famke Janssen.   The movie was released earlier this year and surpassed expectations, making $144 million in the U.S. during 15 weeks of release.

Maggie talks about the movie, working with Neeson, her next projects, why “chances are good” she could be in a movie shot in Michigan, and if we might see her again on ABC’s “Lost”. 

taraji-p-henson-interview-may-5-2009Taraji P. Henson talks about “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Taraji P. Henson interview

Taraji P. Henson talks about makeup, the story and what attracted her to playing Brad Pitt’s mom in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”.  She also talks about what’s ahead in her career.

Robert Osborne interview 2-12-09Robert Osborne helps preview the Oscars

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Robert Osborne interview or watch it through woodtv’s YouTube page.

Robert Osborne, Oscar Historian and host of Turner Classic Movies, gave me his picks for the 81st Annual Oscars, including what he thinks could be some upsets.   He also gave us some historical perspective on this year’s oscars.

 Brendan Fraser talks about “Inkheart” and more

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Brendan Fraser interview (also linked on WOODTV YouTube page)

Actor Brendan Fraser talks about his new movie “Inkheart”, the unusual way he was recruited to the movie, how hard it is to make a movie, the prospects of making movies in Michigan and his appearance in this summer’s upcoming movie “G.I. Joe”.

He’s a down-to-earth interview and a guy who called me “dude” at least twice… and with his story about parachuting G.I. Joe figures, this has to be one of my favorite interviews so far.

 Joey Fatone talks about Golden Globes and more

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Joey Fatone talks about Golden Globes 

From NSYNC to “Dancing with the Stars” to “The Singing Bee”… Joey Fatone is back on the red carpet again with Lisa Rinna *before* The Golden Globe Awards on January 11th, 2009 on the TV Guide Network.

I talked to Joey via satellite about covering the red carpet, talking to celebrities, what movies he likes and what’s up with NBC’s ”The Signing Bee”?

 Jon Voight talks to Laff at the Movies about “Pride and Glory” and more

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Jon Voight interview 

Jon Voight talks to Laff at the Movies about his movie “Pride and Glory”… a role that happened very quickly for him… working with Edward Norton and Colin Farrell and other ‘younger’ actors… he also talked about playing George Washington in the Michael Moore spoof “An American Carol”, his upcoming projects (”Four Christmases” and a 3rd “National Treasure”), and the possibility of making movies in Michigan.

 Maggie Gyllenhaal talks to Laff at the Movies about “Dark Knight” and more

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Maggie Gyllenhaal interview 

Maggie Gyllenhaal talks to Laff at the Movies about hosting an eco-friendly Fashion Show called “Fashionably Natural”… how some movies try to be environmentally friendly… about her role in “The Dark Knight”… gives a surprising answer to the Academy Award buzz about Heath Ledger… talks briefly about the 2006 movie “Stranger than Fiction” with Will Ferrell, Dustin Hoffman, and Emma Thompson… two of her upcoming films (2009 releases)… and about making movies in Michigan.

 Ed Harris talks to Laff at the Movies about “Appaloosa”

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Ed Harris interview 

Ed Harris talks to Laff at the Movies about his roles as roducer/Director/Writer/Star of the movie “Appaloosa”, getting the cast of Viggo Mortensen, Renee Zelwegger, and Jeremy Irons to join the project, the risks/rewards of doing a Western, and the new tax incentives bringing movies to Michigan… that he hadn’t heard of… until our interview on October 1st, 2008.

 Joe Pantoliano talks to Laff at the Movies about 25th Anniversary of “Risky Business” and more

CLICK HERE TO WATCH Joe Pantoliano interview

Actor Joe Pantoliano talks to Laff at the Movies about the Special 25th Anniversary Edition DVD of “Risky Business” (with Tom Cruise and Rebecca DeMornay).   Joey Pants”, as he’s often called, also talked about a recent movie he filmed in Detroit “The Job” with Ron Pearlman… and about making movies in Michigan.

He talked about his battle with depression and the organization he started called ”No Kidding, Me Too”, go to the website: http://www.nkm2.org/.

We also talked about past projects: Ralph in “The Sopranos”, Teddy in “Memento”, Cypher in “The Matrix”, Captain Howard in “Bad Boys”, and “bound man” in “Unknown”.

 

 

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Review: Benjamin Button is powerful storytelling

December 29th, 2008 at 9:03 am by Laff at the Movies under Entertainment

 Powerful storytelling and amazing performances make The Curious Case of Benjamin Button a lock for academy award contention.

Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett lead a great cast of actors that capture their characters so well, you forget you’re watching actors.

The uniqueness of the concept makes the movie very intriguing and there’s also a Forrest Gump (1994) quality about this movie, but its not as uplifting and triumphant.

 “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

(2008) (rated: PG-13 for brief war violence, sexual content, language and smoking) (2 hrs, 39 min)

Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond, Jason Flemyng, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali, Tilda Swinton, Jared Harris

Director: David Fincher – Zodiac (2007), Panic Room (2002), Fight Club (1999), Se7en (1995), Alien 3 (1992)

Genre: Drama/Fantasy/Romance

The Plot: Tells the story of Benjamin Button, a man who starts aging backwards with bizarre consequences.

MY TAKE: This is clearly one of the best movies of 2008 with a great concept (aging backwards), great cast, great story, great makeup and costumes.

Pitt and Blanchett are great in their roles as their characters age in opposite directions, while keeping the personality and voice throughout.   The rest of the cast is superb with characters that are well rounded with depth regardless of their screentime.

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