While growing up, Elina Madison recalls being at her grandmother’s house watching TV and being so enthralled with what was on that she turned to her grandmother and told her that she wanted to become an actress. From that moment on, she’s never looked back or lost sight of her dream.
Elina found that there weren’t a lot of opportunities to act in her home state of Wyoming so she eventually made her way to Los Angeles where she has since become a sought after model and actress and been awarded the title of “scream-queen” based upon her memorable roles in the realm of horror.
In one of Elina’s latest projects, “HUFF” she plays Lorelei, the dysfunctional wife of Huff, an abusive and asthma suffering stepfather who’s involved in a lucrative drug deal. Seemingly oblivious to the abuse that’s going on around her, Lorelei (a stripper by trade) delivers one of the most memorable lines in the entire film:
‘We need the money and the pole’s not going to dance by itself.”
Lorelei eventually comes to her senses and realizes that she has to get her children out of there. She secretly takes the money intended for the drug deal and gives it to her daughters to flee and start better lives for themselves. This series of events triggers a chain of rage-induced asthma attacks as Huff attempts to locate the three runaways and recover his money. Elina’s amazing, emotional scene on the couch with co-star Charlie O’Connell (Huff) sets the mood for the entire second half of the film.
“HUFF” will be released domestically in April and under the title “Big Bad Wolf” for international markets.
Elina’s resume includes roles in “Halloween Party” (a dark comedy available now on DVD), Barracuda, and The Corporate Cut Throat Massacre. In addition, you can also find Elina playing the Mother in the promo / trailer for Alicia Keys’ children’s educational app: “The Journals of Mama Mae & Lee Lee.”.
Elina’s next film role will be as the wife of the Prince of the undead in Creep Creepersin’s Dracula.
Aside from her beauty and acting prowess, Elina is one of the most down to Earth and coolest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of speaking with.
gJg: What’s the premise of HUFF?
EM: HUFF is actually a twisted version of the story of “The Three Little Pigs” with Huff being the wolf and the daughters being the three little pigs. Huff also has asthma which goes along with the lines of the story of “huffing and puffing”. Huff is up to no good and making a deal with drug money that’s not his. My character finally has had enough and realizes that she has to get her children out of there. So she steals the money, gives it to them and tells them to leave. It’s because of her actions that there are some unbelievable consequences.
How did you prepare for the role of Lorelei?
EM: Lorelei is just so caught up in her own little world. She’s an alcoholic mother in denial about what’s going on between her daughters and Huff. I’ve done some crazy characters before, but never one this complex. Getting into that kind of mindset took some work.
Tell me a little about your next film, Creep Creepersin’s Dracula.
It’s a different spin on the classic story but it’s also more about the perception of Dracula and the reality of everything. I play Francine, his wife who you don’t know whether is a “good” wife or an “evil” wife up to no good. Everything is taken completely different depending on how you’re looking at it. It’s scheduled to be released in January.
What other projects are you currently working on?
EM: Right now I’m shooting a show for Spike TV called ‘Urban Tarzan’. I play a well to do wife who didn’t go to college and got married for money and have been enjoying a life of leisure. My husband and I live in a big house and we’re going through a divorce. He wants me to take this horrible deal and I wind up fighting him for the house. He ends up putting a crocodile in the swimming pool hoping i jump in and don’t notice. [laughs]
It’s funny for Spike and has that crazy element to it.
THIS GIRL IS ON FIRE
Elina Madison is a rising star who will be seen all over the world in the coming months! Her career is truly on fire.
– In April 2013, she’ll star as the desperate mother and abused wife Lorelei in Huff(with Charlie O’Connell).
– She plays an edgy, flirtatious Cave Girl in Halloween Partya twisted comedy (just released on DVD).
– In January 2013 Elina stars as Francine, the beautiful and loyal wife of Dracula in Creep Creepersin’s Dracula.
– Look for her in the highly acclaimed film Barracuda, starring opposite Christine Oldham as the well to do socialite “Lisa.”
Also coming in 2013 Elina plays the lead Alana Wilson, a caring mother and housewife in Ramone Menon’s psychological thriller The Black Tape.
A work of art. That’s what best describes both actress Cortney Palm and her latest movie, “Sushi Girl”. Whether it’s the beautiful cinematography or the element of surprise that keeps you guessing until the very end, Sushi Girl (releasing world-wide on DVD February 19th) is a story and film worthy of the big screen.
Sushi Girl tells the story of Fish; a newly released convict who has spent the last six years in jail successfully not ratting out those involved in the diamond robbery that sent him to prison. On the night of his release, he and the four men he’s protected celebrate his freedom with a Nyotaimori, a meal consisting of a lavish array of sushi served off the naked body of a beautiful young woman (Cortney Palm). Sushi Girl must appear catatonic, and is trained to ignore everything in the room regardless of the danger. But there’s more than meets the eye in this crime thriller. Old wounds are opened among the thieves amid accusations of what became of their missing diamonds.
Palm is more than comfortable in her own skin, and for her role as Sushi Girl she has to be. Appearing nearly nude the entire time, she’s more than convincing in the role, leaving almost nothing to the imagination.
Sushi Girl also features memorable performances by Tony Todd (Candyman), Mark Hamill (Star Wars), James Duvall (Independence Day), Noah Hathaway (The Never Ending Story) and Andy Mackenzie (True Blood).
I had the pleasure of speaking with Cortney about her work on Sushi Girl. We also discuss her role as the ill-fated Maria in the horror film, “Silent Night” as well as the significance behind some of her amazing tattoos.
Cortney Palm is laying the foundation for a long and fruitful career. Her performances thus far are worthy of praise, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for this amazing actress.
gJg: What attracted you most to the role of Sushi Girl?
CP: I really liked the way the story was written and the way my character was portrayed on the page. She had something really good to offer. She was subtle and powerful and I really enjoy playing characters like that; women who are strong or have a purpose.
gJg: What was it like for you working with iconic actors like Mark Hamill and Tony Todd?
CP: Tony was amazing. He just brought 110% every day so it was much easier for me to just play off of him. We shot the film primarily in chronological order and you could just feel the emotion and the buildup. For Mark, I remember being a little nervous at our table read when he showed up. But at the same time, we’re all there for the craft. Sometimes it may be kind of unnerving being around actors who’ve done so much and are so iconic, but you have to stay true to your character and true to your art.
Cortney Palm in “Sushi Girl”
gJg: Mark’s character, Crow is definitely no Luke Skywalker.
CP: Mark is such a smart talented actor who’s done a lot of theater and film work. He really made that character come to life.
gJg: How would describe the story of Sushi Girl?
CP: It’s a crime thriller where something is going on and everyone wants to get to the bottom of it. But it’s also a story of revenge. We like to say revenge is a dish best served cold and that’s really the epitome of what the film is all about.
gJg: One of the best elements of Sushi Girl is the beautiful cinematography.
CP: Aaron Meister, the director of photography really makes that film what it is. He and Kern (Saxton, Director) had a great vision and just projected it beautifully. It’s a great film, and cinematically it’s perfect! I will never look at my body the same way again. [laughs]
Cortney as Maria in ‘Silent Night’
gJg: Let’s talk a little about your character Maria in “Silent Night”.
CP: When I mentioned that I’m drawn to powerful women..she’s not. But, she has to fight to survive and that’s what makes it fun to play. I love expressing human emotion in films and with ‘Silent Night’, there’s plenty of that! [laughs]
gJg: Tell me about the infamous wood chipper scene.
CP: That was a fun scene to film. We really had a great team of people. Steven (Miller, Director) had a great vision and Joe (White, Cinematography) was right alongside of him making it work with me running through the trees.
gJg: Are you a fan of horror?
CP: I am a fan of the genre. I like movies like “The Ring”, “Mirrors” and “Silent Hill”.
gJg: What projects are you currently working on?
CP Right now, I’m working on ‘Fringes’ where I play a rabbi’s daughter. It’s the story about a Jewish community and a Catholic community at odds with one another, but when things start to break down around them they have to rely on each other to get through. It’s a brotherhood story.
gJg: Tell me a little bit about your tattoos.
CP: I have several and all of them are real. On my inside right arm I have the quote “For peace with justice in harmony with nature”. On my wrist I have a gecko with the initials “LP” for Lake Powell. It’s significant to me because that’s one of my favorite places to go. The gecko also represents strength, agility and conservation. That’s important to remember in our world and our lifestyle. We need to conserve the land and enjoy what nature has to offer.
On my side I have the quote “Float Upon Sturdy Waters”. Even though water isn’t really sturdy (because you sink down into it) you can float upon the surface and make it sturdy. You choose your own destiny.
I need to let you know ahead of time that there may be a bit of bias in this review. I will try to be as objective as possible but I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t already a huge fan of The Lord of the Rings. It’s fair to say that Peter Jackson’s three prior films were the best telling of the trilogy that I’ve ever seen. Just the mere fact that The Return of The King garnered the Oscar for Best Picture tells you that I’m not alone in my way of thinking.
So needless to say, when it was FINALLY decided that Jackson would be directing The Hobbit the little boy inside of me was overjoyed. All of my days of playing Dungeons and Dragons were coming back again! YAY! And when Ian McKellen signed on to reprise his role as Gandalf The Grey well, this movie immediately became a must see for me.
The Hobbit tells the tale of Bilbo Baggins, a halfling who gets recruited to go fight a dragon and reclaim a lost treasure. A simple story yes, but one that also prefaces one of the greatest trilogies in literature.
If you’ve never seen nor read any of Tolkien’s books, I’d urge you to watch the Lord of The Rings trilogy before seeing The Hobbit. Not only will you have a better understanding of this film, but you owe it to yourself to see (in my opinion) three of the best movies ever made.
I’ve decided to start this review by first telling you what I didn’t like about it. Yes, there were a few things that bothered me. But nothing that should keep you from seeing it.
It’s been nearly ten years since Peter Jackson last took me to Middle Earth. After watching The Hobbit, I now want to dust off my old twenty-sided dice and go on a own quest for gold myself again! So, as I light up my pipe and blow smoke rings, I salute you Mr. Jackson for once again bringing me back to a world I loved as a child.
Please be advised that there may be spoilers so read on at your own peril.
What I didn’t like
1. The first thing I didn’t like actually has nothing to do with this film. It’s the fact that earlier this year Jackson decided to tell the entire story in three parts rather than two. I see this more as a money grab and not relevant to telling the story of Bilbo and company. Considering the fact that each LOTR book was much longer than The Hobbit (and were fully told in each individual movie), making a trilogy out of this story wasn’t something I wanted.
2. It’s easy to get lost: For those of you who are being exposed to Tolkien for the first time and haven’t seen any of the prior films, The Hobbit may be an undertaking as the movie hints at things to come in The Lord of The Rings. For fans of the genre (like me), this made sense. But if you’re seeing this freshly, it may be confusing.
3. Battle scenes can be a bit overwhelming: Particularly when the party encounters the Goblin King and tries to escape. What happens seems almost unbelievable. But then again, if I can believe a bunch of dwarves and a hobbit can escape a pair of stone giants and go into a goblin lair, then why wouldn’t I believe they could jump over huge chasms without falling hundreds of feet to their deaths? Got to love fantasy.
What I did like
1. The “unexpected party” scene where all of the dwarves gathered in Bilbo’s home to speak of their mission. When I first read the book, I completely skipped over the parts where the dwarves sang songs and read poems. Those italicized printed words were boring and vague to me. The eeriness of hearing the singing really brings the book to life and emphasizes the mission.
2. The dragon: I was leery going in just hoping they would show a glimpse of Smaug, the dragon. In the beginning they teased with it a bit but, if you are looking for a dragon in this movie, you will be satisfied.
3. Some people may not appreciate this but I did. I liked the idea of mixing in LOTR characters.Seeing my old friend Frodo again was a treat. And who could not love another visit by some of the other characters as well.
4. The Best is Yet To Come:The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey leaves you wanting more. The only thing I really lament is having to wait a whole year before I can get my fix again.
Once upon a time there was a cool director named Paul Morrell who had a vision to direct a horror/thriller based upon the story of The Three Little Pigs. Together with a talented cast and crew, his vision of creating a twisted version of the classic fairy tale exceeds all expectations. The result of his efforts, “HUFF” contains all of the scares, screams and sexiness that make for great thrill ride.
“HUFF” stars Charlie O’Connell as Huff, an abusive stepfather to three teenage girls living in poverty in California. While on the verge of making a lucrative drug deal that will give him the money he needs to escape to Mexico with his sexy mistress, Laci (Natasha Alam), Huff’s plans unravel when his battered wife Lorelei (Elina Madison) secretly gives the money intended for the deal to her daughters and tells them to run away and seek better lives. The events that follow triggers a chain of rage-induced asthma attacks, as Huff attempts to locate the three runaways and recover his money.
HUFF also stars Marie Bollinger, Jenna Stone and Clint Howard and will be released in April. The film will also be released internationally under the title, “Big Bad Wolf”.
I spoke with Paul and got the inside scoop on “HUFF” as well as his next film project, “Casket County Massacre”.
How did the project for HUFF begin?
Paul Morrell (PM): We really wanted to write something that would hold up, so we came up with the concept of using The Three Little Pigs; an age old story. It was also great timing. I had done a film called ‘Filth To Ashes’ that had received quite a bit of press, including a mention in The New York Times. The film even had a better opening weekend than ‘Paranormal Activity’. From that, we were able to sign some really great actors.
There are quite a few innuendos with The Three Little Pigs.
PM: Some of the innuendos are quite blatant, like the use of the inhaler and Charlie’s character’s name (Huffington). In our research, the story kind of got neutered over the years. In the original story, the wolf actually eats all of the pigs. [laughs]
Tell me a little about the cast: Charlie O’Connell.
Charlie is known for comedic roles so this role was a bit of a challenge, but he came with great input. His comedic chops really shine without taking away from the story line. We ended up with a villain who’s both likeable and hate able at the same time.
Natahsa Alam.
PM: Natasha was extremely comfortable on set. She’s not just a model. She’s super professional and her acting chops are top notch.
Elina Madison.
I wish we had her on set for longer. She was fantastic. We had originally written an enormously longer scene but the way she executed the scene was great with her eyes and her emotion was perfect.
Isn’t there a story behind how you got in touch with Marie Bollinger for the role of Brixi?
I have a really close friend, Sarah Zurell, who was in a movie with Marie called ‘Pelt’. When I sat down to watch the movie, I was immediately distracted by her. There was just something about Marie that was perfect. We wound up connecting with each other through Facebook.
What was the filming process like?
PM: When we were shooting some of the night scenes it was very cold and windy. It was abnormally cold for southern California. Jenna Stone (Styx) sat in the side car with that “bloody” face for almost three days. All night long while shooting, it was freezing cold. I was all bundled up in boots and heavy jackets and was still cold. The girls were out in the cold in little bitty tops wearing a blanket in between takes. They were troopers.
Any funny stories you can remember while filming?
In the opening scene, when Charlie is reading to the little girls, we had him actually reading a nursery rhyme to them while we were shooting their faces to get laughs out of them. Then, right in the middle of telling Goldie Locks and The Three Bears he goes into HUFF dialog, changing his voice and everything to “They were raped!!…” It was incredibly funny. [laughs]
What are some of your favorite scenes?
PM: I really love the opening scene where Charlie is out chopping wood and then goes inside to read a bible story to the girls. I love how that turned out. So creepy. I also love the fight scene with Elina when she and Charlie are sitting on the couch.
Another one of my favorite shots is where Charlie is holding Marie’s character down and pressing that knife into her chest. They were both so into the moment, she’s screaming and he’s holding her down. That scene was great.
What project are you working on now?
PM: We’re working on an horror/icon film called ‘Casket County Massacre‘. We’ve got Kane Hodder (Jason Friday The 13th) and Tyler Mane (X-Men, Halloween). We’re also working with Charlie and Clint Howard again. The plan is to start shooting in January. We’re excited about it.
What’s the story of ‘Casket County Massacre’?
The legend of Casket County is, there were three brothers (The Garlock Family) who took over the town and slaughtered everyone in it while looking for gold. When they couldn’t find any, their ghosts were stuck there forever. An all-girl rock band cruises into town with plans to shoot a music video. When they get there, the ghosts are there and all hell ensues.
You better watch out! Santa Claus is coming to town, and he knows who’s been bad!
One of the tag lines for the new horror/thriller “Silent Night” is a bit foretelling as to the carnage about to be unleashed on the small town of Cryer, WI.
Directed by Steven C. Miller (The Aggression Scale), ‘Silent Night‘ is a loosely based remake of the cult horror classic ‘Silent Night, Deadly Night’, a controversial 1984 film that fell victim to mass protests due to the fact that the serial killer dressed up like Santa Claus. In a world where real-life death and destruction is shown round the clock on every news network, it’s almost laughable how a fictional horror film could have caused such a stir.
In ‘Silent Night’ veteran actor Malcolm McDowell (Rob Zombie’s Halloween) and the beautiful Jaime King (Mother’s Day) star as a small-town sheriff and deputy on the hunt for a murderous Santa Claus taking out people who are doing wrong on Christmas Eve. The film also stars Donal Logue (Shark Night 3D, Blade), Lisa Marie (Sleepy Hollow), Brendan Fehr (Final Destination), Ellen Wong (Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World) and Cortney Palm (Sushi Girl).
McDowell is somewhat ornery in his role as Sheriff Cooper, but appears to have the town’s best intentions at heart. And King, who was amazing in her role of Beth Sohapi in the ‘Mother’s Day’ reboot, is equally as good here as emotionally troubled Officer Aubrey Bradimore.
‘Silent Night’ contains all of the essential ingredients that were paramount in 80’s horror films: Strong characters, a sense of not knowing what’s coming next, the gratuitous nudity/sexuality and of course, the recreational drug use. (Naughty! Naughty!)
And whereas the original ‘Silent Night / Deadly Night’ fell victim to picketing for using a serial killer dressed like the guy in the big red suit, ‘Silent Night’, does its own little bit of envelope pushing by utilizing something else normally considered taboo in serial killer horror: the death of a child (albeit a bratty, potty-mouthed one).
Miller though, isn’t worried about any backlash that may result from the scene.”People may be concerned about it, but it actually sets the tone of the movie”, he says. “Once you see it, you realize that at this point all bets are off and anything can happen!”
Aside from some really cool weapons, ‘Silent Night‘ breaks no new ground in terms of what’s already been done in horror but really, who cares? The movie is a fun ride of terror and carnage with perhaps one of the best kill scenes in recent memory involving a topless woman and a wood chipper. Need I say more?
When asked to describe what makes for the perfect horror movie, Miller is quick to respond. “Atmosphere and tone. If you can get the atmosphere right for whatever time and place you’re in, the audience is automatically drawn in.”
It’s hard to argue that point because the film looks and feels like it belongs on a big theatrical screen; with a tone and quality that rivals many of the classic 80’s slasher films. The real strength of ‘Silent Night’ lies in its use of cinematography and credit should be given to both Miller and cinematographer Joseph White for taking a small budget film and making it appear larger than life.
The best horror balances the suspense with the scares and mixes in a little bit of humor to release the tension and in both cases, ‘Silent Night’ succeeds. Horror fans who’ve been longing for something other than the typical “found-footage” style format of recent films may want to consider asking Santa for ‘Silent Night’ in their stocking this holiday season. It sure beats a visit from the big guy in person carrying a flame thrower.
Or as Miller himself is quick to point out, “We need these kinds of holiday slasher movies. There aren’t enough of them.”
The former “Mouseketeer” and “Facts of Life” alum is on a quest to join the cast of the ABC hit show, “Dancing with the Stars”. Julie is no stranger to the art of the dance, having honed her chops from a very young age performing in front of huge audiences at The Muny, the nation’s largest outdoor theater located in St. Louis, Missouri.
In the mid-1980′s, Julie took time off from acting in order to marry and raise her three children, and keep the artistic talent they inherited from their Mother alive in their own way.
I had the opportunity to speak with this amazing woman as she prepares to become the first Mouseketeer to do the Fox Trot in prime time. In this interview, Julie discusses her career, including her time on “The Mickey Mouse Club” and “The Facts of Life”. She also talks about a certain celebrity she rebuffed for a date and why she believes now is the perfect opportunity to once again showcase her dancing talent.
goJimmygo (gJg): Tell me a little about yourself and how you got started in acting?
Julie Piekarski (JP): Growing up, my mom enrolled me in dance classes. When I was five, one of the ladies there thought I had potential, took me under her wing, and became my mentor. She saw that I was a quick learner and had that “X factor” gift that can’t be taught. I started participating in community theater and shows as well as professional venues like The Muny Opera.
gJg: How did you get involved with The Mickey Mouse Club?
Disney was doing a nationwide talent search for their new TV show and several of my relatives, friends, and teachers were asking me to try out. After sending in a resume and photo for the preliminary casting, I received an invite to come for an audition. I traveled to Chicago for a two-day audition. At the time, I remember thinking that I’d be really lucky if I could just be made an “Honorary” Mouseketeer and appear on the show just one time. Instead, after the auditions were complete, I got a call to go to a local TV station for an on-camera interview and eventually was chosen for the show! Out of the 15,000 kids auditioned, only 12 were picked.
Mickey Mouse Club
gJg: What was that experience like?
JP: It was amazing! Such an awesome experience to be that age and to work with Disney. Imagine growing up and hearing about Disney and seeing all of the animated movies and now I was actually getting to be a part of that.
It was such a “family” working there. We went to school for 3 hours a day and then either filmed a segment, skit, or musical number, or were in rehearsals. The show was on every day. That meant that the turnaround time for new material was fast and a lot was expected of us. But we loved it. It never felt like work for me. In the summer and for our Friday segments, we would get to film in Disneyland. I will never forget that. We were in the park before it opened sometimes remained even after it was closed. Only a handful of people would be in the park. It was magical.
Though the taping of the show was fun, I loved performing live at Disney land and Disney World. We did 3 shows a day and 2 parades for five days a week for 13 weeks. On our lunch breaks, we were allowed to come in the back way and ride the rides for free. But it was hard on me when it came to my family. My mom stayed with me since I was only 13 and my dad and grandma stayed back with my sister in St. Louis to allow her to continue her life uninterrupted. So I’d usually work for three months and then come home for two weeks. That’s when I would go back to my school and take tests or exams (this was before email remembers), make up for lost time with friends, and catch up on family time with my sister and Dad.
Julie on Facts of Life with Lisa Whelchel (left) and Charlotte Rae (right)
gJg: That’s where you met Lisa Whelchel (Facts of Life) for the first time!
JP: Yes, Lisa was there too. There were eight people from the LA area and four of us from out-of-town. Lisa was from Texas and I was from St. Louis. We both bonded quite a bit during our time together. Since we were the out-of-state “Mice”, we tried to get lodging near each other and do things together on the weekends or after work.
The show was really doing great. They were talking about making dolls of each of us, touring across the U.S., and cutting a record (yes I said a record). I remember plans were being made to come to everyone’s home over the summer break and film special segments about each of us and what our home life was like and our other passions, but all of sudden we received word that the show was cancelled.
gJg: What happened?
JP: “The Black Hole” movie came out. It was the first big, one of kind Sci fi movie that Disney had poured everything they had into. They made a choice and obviously chose wrong since the movie didn’t do very well. We still continued performing and doing appearances at Disneyland and Disney World as well as the TV movie for another year or so but the show part of it was over.
By this point I had acquired an agent and started doing more television work: The big Dr. Pepper campaign “I’m a Pepper” commercials, Taco Bell Girl, made guest appearances on “Three’s Company”, Quincy, General Hospital and others. That was when “The Facts of Life” came along.
gJg: Coincidentally, that’s also where you were reunited with Lisa again!
JP: Yes! What’s funny is I honestly don’t remember her being up for a part until close to the end of auditions. One day, I literally walked in and found out that we would be reading together. [laughs]
Facts of Life Cast
gJg: What was your experience like on that show?
JP: I enjoyed it. The seven of us girls got along great. Actually, Kim Fields and I became very close and still keep in touch. I looked forward to going in every day. I also enjoyed doing the photo shoots and publicity events. I was thrilled to be chosen to be on Hollywood Squares with Charlotte Rae.
But most of all, the charity events really touched me and I was honored to participate and help out in any way. As for our show, we’d usually rehearse on a Monday, then there would be re-writes over the next few days and finally, we’d do a taping in front of a live audience. Now that was the best part.
It was like doing real theater again for me. It’s such a high to hear the immediate response of the audience. It was a great process.
gJg: Why do you think they down-sized the show and decided to only go with four girls?
JP: I heard that the reason was they didn’t feel audiences could relate to all of the different characters. They couldn’t find enough specific “niches” for each girl to conform to and identify with. Maybe the writers were not able to write in that many characters for only a half hour sitcom? Even Julie Anne Haddock’s character (Cindi), who was sort of a tom-boy, wasn’t quite as “tough” as they wanted. That’s when they decided to bring in Nancy McKeon as Jo.
gJg: Do you still keep in touch with people from the show?
JP: Lisa and I have kept in touch a little. When she comes to town with her Christian Women’s Group, we try to get together. I’ve been involved with a great bible study, CBS, for the past ten years and that’s how I found out that Lisa was coming to St. Louis. Kim Fields and I talk more often.
gJg: From there you went on to a show called “The Best of Times” which not a lot of people know also starred Nicolas Cage and Crispin Glover (Back To The Future).
JP: Yes, they were on that show too. I remember them both being really nice guys. Nicolas Cage was a riot. To think back then I was considered top bill. Now look at him! <laughs> That sitcom was more a variety style production. It was a good entertaining show but just way ahead of its time. It would’ve fit in perfectly now with shows like Glee, Smash, and High School Musical. I enjoyed it because I got to sing and dance again. Plus we did outrageous comedy skits. It reminded me of “The Carol Burnett Show”. Now I am really dating myself. <laughs>
gJg: Why did you decide to take a break from acting?
JP: Education was always important to me. It’s something that no one can ever take away from you. While in LA and still pursuing my acting career, I was going to school at UCLA and originally considered getting a degree in biochemistry because I was into genetics and cloning. But the workload became intense and something had to give. Instead, I decided to go into business and communications.
That’s also around the same time when a boy from St. Louis came out to visit. He was going to dental school and had a promising dental practice waiting for him back home. When I went home for the summer, we started dating and ten months later we got engaged. I knew I wanted to raise a family away from the craziness of Hollywood and unfortunately around that same time my father passed away. A lot of things pointed me to being home. So I moved back. And then once I started having children I knew I had made the right decision.
But I still do industrial films, spokesperson projects, and training videos here in St. Louis. I also am involved with three worthwhile charities that keep me busy beside all my volunteer activities for my children’s schools and extracurricular activities.
gJg: Tell me about your kids!
JP: I have three absolutely amazing children: Patrick, Jacqueline and Christian. I feel so very blessed and am thankful that I was able to be a stay at home mom for them. And you know what, that term is so ironic because I was never AT HOME when I was “being mom”. I was running all over the place with them. <giggles>
Patrick Probst
Patrick, my oldest, graduated from SMU with a double major in Biology and Economics and a minor in Spanish and Chemistry is now in his first year of medical school. He wants to be some type of surgeon. He’s an avid sports fan and a really strong soccer player. And he also has a creative side. …. He has a beautiful voice and performed professionally at The Muny, The St. Louis Rep, and Stages St. Louis while growing up. He was President of Southern Gentlemen; an A Capella group at SMU where he arranged the music and helped produced their CD as well as sing solo on it. He’s also starred in two films: Logan and Moon Ring.
Jacqueline Probst
My daughter Jacqueline is now in her junior year at Alabama…Roll Tide! She received a full scholarship and is part of the prestigious Fellows program as well as in the Honors College. She was actually recruited to be a gymnast for Bama. She was an amazing gymnast and it truly is her first love. She qualified at an early age to go to a special program with Bela Karolyi and was well on track to accomplish great things. It is a grueling sport and does take a huge toll on one’s body.
Unfortunately, after two months at Bama her old back injury returned and she had no choice but to retire. Luckily for her, she is extremely gifted in dance and singing as well. She too has performed professionally at The Muny, Stages St. Louis, and The Cincinnati Rep. She is now dance captain of her college show choir and choreographs for Phi Mu, her sorority as well. She is also teaching gymnastics and ballet while focusing on getting her degree in order to become a physical therapist. Check out YouTube under her name to see her gymnastics demo and some of her performances.
Christian Probst
My youngest, Christian, really wants to pursue entertainment. He truly has that special something that you can’t help but notice. He has this amazing smile that just lights up a room. I am proud to say that he is a freshman at Yale and plans to double major in theater and economics. Though he’s a state champion racquetball player, I am trying to convince him to take up squash for Yale. He has been blessed with major roles in professional theater since the age of seven. He’s been very close to landing a Broadway role several times in shows like Mame, Tarzan, Billy Elliot and most recently Newsies where he was kept as part of the final 20 and sang in front of Alan Menken. They said he was just too young. He just got the lead in the musical at Yale as a freshman and is part of the infamous a Capella group The Dukes Men. He studies ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and lyrical. Tap is his favorite. YouTube his name and “I love a piano” and Once in Love with Amy” to see him.
When my children started showing talent and a desire to perform, I consciously chose to cut way back on what I did. I really wanted them to earn anything they would get because they deserved it and not because I was their Mom.
gJg: What’s your plan now?
JP: Now that my kids are all grown and on their own, I’m opening up the door again and getting back into the business. Last year, I portrayed Elle’s mom in “Legally Blonde” at The Muny and I recently performed the role of Lilly St. Regis in a professional production of “Annie”.
Which brings me to my next endeavor: I’ve begun a crusade to get on “Dancing With the Stars!”
gJg: You would be terrific on that show!
JP: I really think I could do it. I’d like to get a following going to show the producers I’m serious about it. And besides, they’ve never had a “Mouseketeer” on there!
It’s been a while since I focused on myself. I’ve spent these last years putting my energy into being a mother and wife. My children are now situated, happy and confident. I couldn’t ask for more. Now it’s my turn! [laughs] I really miss the dancing and the singing and I think “Dancing with the Stars” would be a great opportunity for me. I would thoroughly enjoy it: high kicks, splits and all!
gJg: What’s it like when you go back to Disney now?
JP: It’s surreal. It honestly seems like yesterday. There are times when I go there that, in my head; I think that I’m 18 again. Then I suddenly realize that I’m actually there with my own children! [laughs]It’s still such a rush to think I am a part of Disney history.
gJg: Do you find that people still recognize you?
JP: Yes people do and a lot of times it’s because of my voice. It’s funny, here in St Louis where there are so many private high schools, the big question isn’t so much: “Do I Know You?” but rather: “Did I go to high school with you?” So, when I see that look on their face that they know me but not sure why, I’ll usually wait until it really starts bugging them and then give them a hint. I’ll say something like: “Well, it may be because of a TV show…” and then they’ll realize who I am. They usually say something like I knew it but yet couldn’t imagine why you would be here in St. Louis. Then it’s nice to hear that they think I still look the same and haven’t changed at all.
gJg: Tell me something not too many people know about you from those days.
JP: Here’s something that always cracks up my fellow women friends: When Tom Cruise was first getting started; I had met him on several audition calls. It was on one of these occasions where he actually asked me out on a date. You know, this was before Tom Cruise became “Tom Cruise” and I remember… I turned him down!
I thought at the time he seemed a bit full of himself! [laughs]
gJg: Do you have any regrets?
JP: Honestly I don’t. Life happens for a reason and it takes you down a certain path. The only “regret” I think about as I get older is the amount of money that’s being made out there in Hollywood that people could use for good things rather than squandering it on things like drugs and alcohol. There’s money that can be used for education or to build a foundation or for charity.
I always tell my kids: “Leave this world a better place then you found it.” And most of all, What you are is God’s gift to you, what you make of yourself is your gift to God.
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It’s hard to imagine how being locked inside of a sauna with two beautiful women could be a bad thing, but such is the case in 247°F.
Scout Taylor-Compton plays Jenna, a girl who experiences unspeakable horror when the car she is a passenger in becomes involved in an accident that claims the life of her boyfriend. Unable to escape the wreckage, she is traumatized at having to view the mangled corpse until help arrives.
A few years later Jenna, along with her friends Renee (Christina Ulloa), Ian (Travis Van Winkle) and Michael (Michael Copon) travel to a lakeside cabin for a carefree weekend retreat. The fun quickly becomes a nightmare when three of them end up getting locked inside of a compact, hot sauna. As fear begins to set in and Jenna reconnects with the claustrophobic horror of “the accident”, things quickly spiral out of control.
247°F reunites Scout with Tyler Mane, who plays Ian’s uncle, Wade. The pair previously worked together on the Rob Zombie Halloween remakes.
As a fan of horror and psychological thrillers, I really enjoyed this movie. It’s definitely a different take on the genre, which as of late has gotten quite stale at times. There are no slashing hockey mask wearing madmen or demonic spirits menacing the group. Rather, it’s the power of the mind and realization that there may be no escape that becomes the real horror. The question quickly changes from how they got locked inside to how long can they last?
I had the pleasure of speaking with Christina Ulloa about her role and experience working on 247°F.
goJimmygo: Tell me a little bit about your character, Renee.
Christina Ulloa: Renee comes across as someone who thinks that everything revolves around her and someone that’s maybe a little bit spoiled. But when you look at it, she’s really a good friend and a loyal person. Once you get past that first layer of her sassy sort of vibe, she’s a good person at heart.
Where was the movie filmed?
We filmed in the Republic of Georgia and were there for about a month. It’s a beautiful part of the world to be in. It’s very European. Everywhere you looked you could see the mountains or the water. Traveling to that unique part of the world was incredible. That and getting to work long hours. I shot 23 out of 27 days. That was the best.
There certainly wasn’t much to worry about in terms of make-up or wardrobe.
Not really. There wasn’t much of that. [laughs]
What was the chemistry like among the cast?
When you’re on location and stuck like we were, both literally and figuratively in this case – [laughs], you bond quicker and spend more time together than if you just went home every day after work. We all formed genuine friendships and that chemistry really comes across well on-screen. It was a lot of fun.
How would you describe 247°F?
It’s psychological in that it plays into the common theme of just feeling trapped. I think that’s something everyone can relate to. Whether it’s a relationship, a career or just life in general. We all deal with having to overcome conflicts that suffocate us in any aspect of life.
How do you think you would react to the situation of being locked inside of a sauna in real life?
I like to think that I would find some super human strength to bang the door down [laughs]. I certainly know what it feels like to feel claustrophobic and the desperate sense of needing to get out.
247°F will be released on October 23rd by Anchor Bay Films. The Blu-ray™ and DVD includes audio commentary with writer / producer / director Levan Bakhia and deleted scenes.
What do you get when you take a man already losing his mind, place him deep into the forest and then add the Jersey Devil on top for good measure? You get The Barrens; an emotional thrill ride that’s more than just a take on a legendary cryptid.
Written and directed by Darren Lynn Bousman (whose previous works include Mother’s Day, The Devil’s Carnival and SAW II, III and IV), The Barrens stars Stephen Moyer (True Blood) as Richard Vineyard, a suburban husband and father trying to rekindle the relationship with his family by taking them on a camping trip deep into the Pine Barrens of New Jersey.
Along the way, the family discovers the legend of the Jersey Devil, but Richard reassures them that it’s all just pretend (SURE it is) and nothing to worry about. But, there are secrets that Richard has been keeping from them. One of which eventually causes him to spiral out of control and descend into madness as he becomes convinced the family is being stalked by the legendary monster.
The Barrens also stars Mia Kirshner (The Vampire Diaries), Allie MacDonald (House at the End of the Street) and Shawn Ashmore (X-Men: The Last Stand).
I found this film intriguing on many different levels. First, Stephen Moyer’s performance is outstanding. I haven’t seen someone lose their mind this good since Jack Nicholson went bonkers in The Shining. I also enjoyed how the movie deviated from what I initially expected. Just when you think you have it figured out; the story takes you off in an entirely different direction.
Viewers wanting to see a glimpse of the legendary creature certainly won’t be disappointed with this movie. But in the end, the real reason The Barrens succeeds is not because of the monster. It’s the story of a man’s descent into madness that draws you in and keeps you guessing until the very end.
In a world hungering for great dramatic thrillers, it’s unfortunate that films like The Barrens (along with Bousman’s previous film, an amazing re-make of “Mother’s Day” starring Rebecca De Mornay) never saw a wide theatrical release. Both of these films are solid, well-crafted productions with stars who give nothing less than stellar performances. Ones that I highly recommend you see.
I had the opportunity to speak with writer/director Darren Lynn Bousman and discuss The Barrens and much more in this exclusive interview.
goJimmygo (gJg): Before we begin, I have to tell you how much I loved Mother’s Day.
Darren Lynn Bousman (DLB): Thank you very much!
gJg: Whenever I see people Tweeting you that they’ve “finally” seen it, it frustrates me because of how long it took for it to finally be released.
DLB: The whole thing frustrates me as well. Mother’s Day is such a cool, unique film. The problem was, no one gave it a shot. They said it was too “artsy”, not “commercial” enough or not “scary” enough. The good news now is that people are finally getting to see it to some extent, so it’s cool.
gJg: Rebecca De Mornay was fantastic in that movie.
DLB: She certainly was.
Stephen Moyer in The Barrens
And Stephen Moyer is equally as good in The Barrens.
DLB: Stephen Moyer just killed it in this film. I’m a big fan of his from True Blood.
gJg: The thing I liked most about The Barrens is that it’s not a horror movie, it’s more of a thriller.
DLB: That was my whole goal going in. I wanted to do something that was a little bit more dramatic in nature but still had elements of those monster movies that I love. Those are my favorite types of movies.
Some people might say that it’s a “monster movie”, but it’s really not. It’s the story about a man and his descent into madness that just happens to have a monster in it.
gJg: What made you decide to write a story based upon the Jersey Devil?
DLB: I’ve always loved Cryptozoology creatures and the Jersey Devil was the one that I felt had not been exploited, where so many of the others have. We’ve all seen Big Foot and The Loch Ness Monster everywhere. The Jersey Devil was one that I’ve never seen done correctly.
gJg: How would you describe the story of The Barrens?
DLB: It’s a story about a father looking to rekindle his relationship with his family. He takes them on a camping trip into the woods and then begins to spiral out of control into insanity… oh, and there happens to be a monster! [laughs]. The best way to describe it: it’s “The Shining in the woods meets JAWS!”
gJg: What are some of the elements that make up a great horror/thriller film like this one?
DLB: More important than anything else, it’s great performances. Without those, you’ve got nothing. It’s why Mother’s Day is so great (Rebecca’s performance) and why this one is so great (Stephen’s performance). These movies, if done by any other actors would not have had the same impact. In the end, it all comes down to acting.
Misdirects is another big one. That’s where the audience thinks they have it figured out going in, but then you do something that they didn’t expect. I think a lot of people thought that the story was going to be based on the trailer, but then were surprised with something else.
gJg: My particular favorite scene was where the son, Danny (Peter DaCunha) runs up and gets scared.
DLB: That scene makes me so happy, because that’s a genuine reaction. We didn’t show him the dog beforehand. So when we filmed and he was coming up, he really thought he was coming up to see a dog. [laughs]
gJg: Do you have a favorite scene?
DLB: I’d have to say the scene with Danny near the water. It’s a disturbing thing, but you really feel for the family at that moment. And again, it’s not reliant upon the creature or anything like that. It’s just an emotional connection.
gJg: What projects are you working on right now?
DLB: We’ll start filming the second installment of The Devils Carnival in early 2013. Everything about it will be the same, including another nationwide tour. It’s my soul cleansing for the films that didn’t get released theatrically. It’s something that I get to control.
I’m also working on ABATTOIR which is based on a comic book that I wrote. I was one of the writers who created the concept for it and we’re now turning it into a feature. I recommend people check out the comic book.
The Barrens will be released October 9th as a Two Disc Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack. Extras include audio commentary as well as a deleted scene.
Diane Franklin’s new book, “Diane Franklin:The Excellent Adventures of the Last American, French-Exchange Babe of the 80s” is a look back at a career of one of the most amazing actresses to come out of the MTV generation.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been thirty years since Diane’s first feature film role in “The Last American Virgin”. The raunchy sex comedy about three friends who were trying to…. well, you know what they’re trying to do.
But, aside from their testosterone fueled quest and Diane’s innocence, for me no single movie exemplifies a slice of the 1980′s better than LAV. When you see the fashions and hear the soundtrack laden with songs by U2, Journey, The Cars and REO Speedwagon; timeless classics now but back then, songs that were fresh and new, it just takes you back. Back to a time of complete innocence.
The thing about Last American Virgin is that it’s not just a movie, it’s a slice of time. And whether it was her beautiful smile or curly locks, I still found a way to forgive Diane for the horrible choice she made at the end of the movie.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Diane about her amazing book and career. The enthusiasm she has for her written word is matched only by the talent she has as an actress.
goJimmygo (gJg): To this day whenever I watch The Last American Virgin, it’s almost like being in a time machine.
Diane Franklin (DF): I agree. LAV brings that 80’s generation back to their teen years. At the beginning of the 80’s, movies that were made had such a rawness to them. The films were real gritty and even the subject matter was grittier. Then in the mid 80’s, movies started to become more polished and upbeat. I’m so happy that I was chosen for that role. Even though it’s a sex comedy, there’s something that rings true about it, and it doesn’t leave you.
gJg: LAV was also your first feature film as well.
DF: Yes it was. I had actually been auditioning for years prior to getting the role. I was doing good readings but things just weren’t happening. They’d always hire a lead who was someone with a “name’ or some notoriety. And I wasn’t getting the smaller parts because I couldn’t play the best friend; I was told I was too “noticeable”. For my first role to be a lead was just meant to be, and it was a big break for me in my career.
gJg: What made you decide to write a book about your career?
DF: My daughter used to have a crush on Jemaine Clement, a musician and actor. One day, we actually had the chance to meet him and she was in heaven about it. I said to myself, “Look at the happiness that this man brings, and he has absolutely no idea.” I’ve always been recognized a lot and decided it would be great to write a book as a way to give something back to people.
I came to the point of view where I had an “excellent adventure” and was an 80’s “babe”. I found words that were indicative of the 80’s but, I also wanted to talk about everything I’ve done in my career; both the good and the bad. This book exemplifies both my life and journey as an actress. What’s also unique about it, aside from the stories about my journey, is that it also lets you look back and see what the 80’s were really like. There are really are no other books like it. If you know me, you’re definitely going to be into my book. If you don’t know me, but you love the 80’s you’ll love my book anyway!
gJg: What was the writing process like for you?
DF: It felt natural to write and everything just fell right into place. I wanted to make sure I wrote it from my point of view and not someone else putting my thoughts in their own words. This is me. When you read it, it feels like you’ve been sitting with me in Starbucks having a conversation [laughs].
gJg: Where can people get a copy of your book?
DF: Right now, you can get it on Amazon and there’s also a Kindle version of it available as well. Eventually, I’m going to try for a wider distribution.
Do you have any appearances coming up?
I’ll be at New York Comic Con in October. It’s sort of a bizarre schedule but, I’ll be at the Javits Center in NYC Oct 12th from 4:15 – 5:15pm and Oct 13th from 10:45 – 11:45am. In addition to signings for my book, I’ll also have photos from my films available and be taking pictures as well. It will be a great time and a lot of fun.
gJg: Have you stayed in touch with any of your cast mates?
DF: I have. In fact, I recently hosted a radio podcast for CRAGG called, “Babes of the 80’s”. I brought in people I had worked with and we talked about the movies we did together. I had Amanda Wyss and E G Daily from “Better of Dead”; Kimmy Robertson and Winnie Freedman from “Last American Virgin” and Kimberley LaBelle Kates from “Bill and Ted”. It went really well.
This time around, I’m planning to do a Halloween Special with Horror Babes and bring in some friends I know who’ve acted in other shows. There are so many beautiful 80’s actresses and it’s so much fun to get together and reminisce.
What else do you have coming up?
DF: I’ve just finished doing commentary with Tony Ginnane for the Blu Ray release of “Second Time Lucky”. The other thing I’ve been involved with is acting in my daughter’s films.
She’s an amazing writer and director and actually won her first award when she was twelve. I play the voice of the computer in a film she did called “Humanized“. It was recently in the Future Filmmaker category for the Los Angeles Film Festival. She’s also completed another film called “My Better Half “.
I’ve heard rumors of a Last American Virgin remake. What do you know about this?
DF: Good question. Brett Ratner actually talked about me on The Howard Stern Show not too long ago and discussed his desire to do a remake. I understand why they would want to do it for another audience and also probably because of the way the original film ended. That’s the reason we all remember it so well.
It would be interesting to see what became of Karen.
DF: I think people might go crazy if I was in it. [laughs]. It would be interesting to tie it together and bring some kind of closure to the original movie. It would also be cool for people who grew up with the film to watch it and get that nostalgic feeling again. We’ll see.
1980’s This Or That With Diane Franklin….
Nightmare on Elm Street or Friday The 13th?
DF: Nightmare on Elm Street, because I was in and episode of Freddy’s Nightmares: The Bride Wore Red.
The Go Gos or The Bangles?
DF: That’s a tough one. I’d have to say Go-Gos, but I do like The Bangles too.
Diane Franklin
Love Boat or Fantasy Island?
DF: When you say it, the imagery just pops into my head [laughs]. Hmmm, The Love boat had some funny skits. I’ll go with that.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High or Porky’s?
DF: Even though I worked with Roger Wilson in “Second Time Lucky”, I’d still have to say Fast Times.
A Rubik’s Cube or a Pet Rock?
DF: Pet Rock [laughs]
Finally, REO Speedwagon or Journey?
Journey – Although every time I hear that song I think, “Uh oh, I wonder if people are thinking of that scene I was in?” [laughs].
In Below Zero, the new film written by Signe Olynyk, screenwriter Jack “The Hack” is suffering from a severe case of writers block. In a desperate effort to clear his head and reach his agent’s deadline, he decides to lock himself in an abandoned slaughterhouse freezer for five days with no means of escape. While there, the line between fiction and reality blurs until he’s unsure of what is real and what is horror.
While watching the film, I found myself enthralled with a storyline that led in many different, intriguing directions. The result of which allows one to watch the film freshly with subsequent viewings; finding something new and exciting about it every time. In a way, it’s almost like a choose your own adventure book.
The exquisite cinematography and cast that includes horror legend Michael Berryman, Edward Furlong and Kristin Booth only adds to fun! Whether it’s Berryman’s amazing performance as a slaughterhouse butcher, the angst of Furlong trying to reach his deadline or Booth channeling her inner scream queen; Below Zero is a thrill ride like no other.
I had the chance to speak with writer Signe Olynyk and actor Michael Berryman, who discuss their experiences working on Below Zero.
Signe Olynyk
goJimmygo (gJg): What’s the origin of Below Zero?
Signe Olynyk (SO): I like to consider it an autobiographical horror/thriller.
Originally, I set out to write a film with a concept of a guy being locked in a freezer. The problem was, that was as far as I could go; I didn’t know what to do next.
So, I started doing searches on the Internet on slaughterhouses and found one that was for sale. I’m a firm believer in doing research and tapping into details that you don’t normally know about, so I paid them a visit and asked the lady if she would lock me in the freezer for five days. It really was one of the best things I could have done.
gJg: How would you describe the story of Below Zero?
OS: It’s a smart, twisted horror film; actually a story within a story, about a blocked writer who struggles with a deadline. He arranges to have himself locked in a freezer and while there, the story he’s writing actually begins to unfold. Fiction and reality blur and he can’t distinguish between what’s real and what is not.
What was it like working with a legend like Michael Berryman?
SO: We were so lucky to have Michael. I really have to credit to my partner, Bob Schultz. He’s a real horror fan and mentioned Michael for this role. I think this is one of the best performances of his career. He really gets to flex his acting muscles and play a character with arc. Having Michael on board also allowed us to appeal to the horror fan base.
You also had two other great actors in Edward Furlong and Kristin Booth!
SO: Eddie was great. His character was one that he really identified with and I think that appealed to him. We really got lucky with Kristin. She is such a talented actress and her star is always rising. In fact, the day we finished filming she was cast in The Kennedy’s mini-series on HBO.
So we’ve got the horror fans with Michael, Eddie taps into the mainstream and Kristin is the rising star. We wanted to get the best cast we could to help us reach the widest audience. I think we succeeded.
Did you also happen to notice that the “creepy” kid in the film was actually a little girl? Sadi Madu did a great job too. She’s the daughter of the owners of the slaughter-house we filmed at. She came to the auditions disguised as a boy and just blew us all away.
How has the reception been for the film?
The fans enjoy it and have really responded well to it. They appreciate what we were trying to accomplish by bringing something new to the genre. We’re winning awards and have been all over the world with the film. It’s a fun, exciting time.
Michael Berryman
gJg: One of the things I loved most about this movie was your character (Gunnar). It was interesting to figure out what his motive was.
MB: It’s not fully revealed until the very end which I thought was fun. It’s very Alfred Hitchcock-ish.
Overall, I’m very pleased with the film. It was well written and I liked the musical score as well; particularly as it was used in certain scenes. Any time you have elements of beauty mixed in with counterpoint, it plays very well.
gJg: What was your experience like working on the film?
MB: It was great. We shot the entire film in only a few weeks and Eddie and Kristin both gave excellent performances. Signe and Bob were both professional and very easy-going. They’re also involved in a conference called The Great American Pitchfest. It supports writers with a lot of seminars. They are big supporters of the ‘written word’ so to speak.
The whole town of Edson (Alberta) was really happy we were there too. It was a treat. It’s a very beautiful area up there.
gJg: You recently did a signing in Burbank. What are the fans saying about Below Zero?
MB: We’re finding that people who have seen the movie really appreciate it. In fact, they like to watch it a second and third time because they get more out of it. Then they appreciate it even more. Visually, it’s beautiful and the music score is interesting and fresh. It’s not dependent on gore and splatter as much as it is on the mysterious things going on.
Below Zero is available now at Amazon and streaming on NetFlix
While growing up, Elina Madison recalls being at her grandmother’s house watching TV and being so enthralled with what was on that she turned to her grandmother and told her that she wanted to become an actress. From that moment on, she’s never looked back or lost sight of her dream.
A work of art. That’s what best describes both actress Cortney Palm and her latest movie, “Sushi Girl”. Whether it’s the beautiful cinematography or the element of surprise that keeps you guessing until the very end, Sushi Girl (releasing world-wide on DVD February 19th) is a story and film worthy of the big screen.
I need to let you know ahead of time that there may be a bit of bias in this review. I will try to be as objective as possible but I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t already a huge fan of The Lord of the Rings. It’s fair to say that Peter Jackson’s three prior films were the best telling of the trilogy that I’ve ever seen. Just the mere fact that The Return of The King garnered the Oscar for Best Picture tells you that I’m not alone in my way of thinking.
Once upon a time there was a cool director named Paul Morrell who had a vision to direct a horror/thriller based upon the story of The Three Little Pigs. Together with a talented cast and crew, his vision of creating a twisted version of the classic fairy tale exceeds all expectations. The result of his efforts, 
go.Jimmy.go 