The Quest for "it"

EXCLUSIVE Q & A: Actor Anthony Edwards Discusses Shoe4Africa

                     Hi,

From September, 2006 to July, 2007, the admired Anthony Edwards, best known for his eight year run as emergency room doctor, Dr. Mark Greene, on the hit television show, "ER", as well as his infamous role as Goose, in "Top Gun", traveled with his wife and four children on an around the world journey.  Their trip focused mainly on the Mara (one of the 26 regions of Tanzania named after the Mara River); the Maasai Mara, a large game reserve in south-western Kenya, and the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park--named after the Masaai people, an indigenous African ethnic group, and traditional inhabitants of the area. 

While he and his family were on safari, a young Masaai, and scout named, Ole Kane Lettura, also referred to as Lettura, was working for a safari company in Western Kenya. Lettura, with a peaceful, down to earth disposition, took to the Edwards', and invited Anthony on a run through the camp, explaining how much he loved to run, "how running was like a big game and a lot of fun". As they ran together, they grew closer, sharing stories about one another's family and friends, and Anthony thought it would be a great experience to offer Lettura the opportunity to participate in the 2007 ING NYC Marathon, while raising awareness for the organization, "Shoe4Africa.org".

Abridged Interview with Anthony Edwards

 SA: What drew you to the cause Shoe4Africa? How did you get involved?

AE: "I met the CEO/Founder of "Shoe4Africa", and coach, Tobey Tanser, in New York City.  I am drawn to entrepreneurs, however, it wasn't until my family and I went on an around the world trip and actually saw a "Shoe4Africa" event first hand. They were helping to empower and respect women in Kenya, empowering local women though sports activities, community events and providing scholarships for schoolgirls in Kenya and Tanzania.  I knew this was the organization for me."

SA: Tell us About Shoe for Africa's Other Focuses...

AE:  "Shoe4Africa" is just the first step in education and health initatives, because we are a small organization, we can be proactive on different events. For example, after the violence occurred following the December 2007 elections, we promoted peace through the Kenyan Peace Races to bring rival tribes together.  Also as a result of the violence, we also came up with the hospital idea.  There are currently no Children's Hospitals in Kenya." 

Click here for Full Q & A

-Article by Sharon Abella

Spike Lee on Miracle at St. Anna at the Toronto Film Festival 2008

                           Hi!

Films to look out for: "Me and Orson Wells", "Rachel Getting Married", "The Wrestler", "The Hurt Locker", "Slumdog Millionaire", "Soul Power", and Touchstone's, "Miracle at St. Anna"

On Sunday, Sept. 7th, I caught up with Spike Lee, Pierfrancesco Favino, Valentina Cervi, Laz Alonso, Michael Ealy, Omar Benson Miller, Derek Luke, Terence Blanchard, and James McBride at the Q & A panel for "The Miracle at Saint Anna" press screening located at, "The Sutton Place Hotel" in Toronto. Mr. Lee shared the following via a brief Q & A:

Q:Tell us a little about getting the tone right?
A:Spike Lee: "It's stark yet magical, and it was all about finding the balance between the two extremes.  I had to find the right tone, a safe spot."

Q:Tell us about finding the funding for "Miracle at St. Anna".
A: Spike Lee: "There are only 3-4 Lucas', Spielberg's, and if you are not doing a comic book movie, it is hard to get stuff made, you have to make do with what you got and keep plugging away at it.  This film was unique because it was shot in Italy and I was assisted by Roberto and Luigi.  I want to thank them. It's a miracle the film got made. I grew up watching WWII Films.  It takes place in Italy.  I was frustrated with Hollywood, and went to Italy to start shooting. I REALLY believe in miracles now."

Q: Why did you decide to make the film now?
A:Spike Lee: "I seized the opportunity, if I didn't take advantage, it might not happen again. This film is a bridge between two nationalities.  It is much more than a war movie. It is a story about hope, fear, and miracles.  The world is a much closer place, it taught us how to rely on each other, and to depend on one another. It was a labor of love, and I must thank all my resources." 

Q:Do you think in American Schools, children are learning enough?
A:Spike Lee:  " In public education systems, programs including art, music, visual education are being cut out of the curriculum.  Many are obese and play videogames."

Q:Where did you find the child actor, 'Matteo'?
A:Spike Lee: "A casting call in Florence, Italy.  After seeing 5,000 kids, we were blessed to find Matteo, who had never acted before." 

Spike Lee's thoughts: "I say a prayer each night because I am doing what I love.  Most go to their grave doing a job they hate. If you can make a living doing what you love, do it.  When you love what you do, you can't get tired of it."

"Exposed"

"Unless you change the path you are on, you are most likely going to wind up where you are headed."
-Chinese Proverb

"Exposed", is a suspense thriller about a young urban couple engaged to be married, who are confronted with temptations, corporate/political scandals, and blackmail, and the consequences of their choices made.  Although not based on a true story, the plot and characters can be applicable to so many widely publicized incidents. Andy Hernandez, Ann Kim, Michael Barksdale, and JP Norris confront societal pressures of corporate politics, a wild night of Special K/drug use, homosexuality, and a pre-marital affair caught on film, by Ann's new re-acquaintance/romance with an old hometown, high school classmate, turned starving artist/photographer/model. Other works by "Media At Large" include the following: "Reel", "The Altruist", "Promises of Home", "Heaven", "And Then Came Love", "Adriana", and "And Behind Door # 2".

Jim McGreevey and Eliot Spitzer, are just a couple of recent politicians who have stepped down from positions of power as a result of bureaucratic red tape; one for an extramarital homosexual affair, and the other for hiring an employee from "The Emperors VIP Club", perhaps we should focus more on positive role models with good reputations like Cory Booker or Barack Obama.

Questions for actor/filmmaker, Shashi Balooja:

" 'Media At Large'/www.mediaatlarge.com, is a leading producer of independent media, synergizing technology and talent through state-of-the-art production services and innovative content."  It's the people associated with "Media At Large" who demonstrate passion, talent, and intellect, that deserve accolades and respect! As the CEO and President, Shashi Balooja, explained that "my team of people are so supportive, they help me every step of the way."

Q: What were the biggest challenges you faced in making "Exposed"?
A: "Raising the money for the film".

Q: What was it like to work with the Director, Burke Heffner, Director of Photography, Rafael De La Uz, and Screenwriter, Caytha Jentis?"
A: "It was great! We have worked on other projects together too."

Q: There were very powerful performance by all of the actors, especially Will Janowitz's of "The Soprano's". What do you think the most pivotal scene was?
A:

Q: What did you shoot on? How long did it take to film?
A: " Hi Def Video Cam", "18 Days"

Q: Where will it be shown next?
A: "The Hamptons Film Festival, October 15-19, 2008".

BET's Rip the Runway 2008

Black Entertainment Television's, (BET)  "Rip the Runway", commemorated its forth consecutive year this evening at "The Manhattan Center", also known as, "The Hammerstein Ballroom". The event showcased the latest and greatest designers in urban fashion  including: Nelly's "Apple Bottom", Missy Elliott, BBC, Monif C's, Sixx Foota, Zac Posen, and Sean Jean.  The presentation was more like a variety show, or a live music video than "just" a regular old fashion show.  This evening's performances offered live music from Hip-Hop artists including Snoop Doggy Dog, who sang Sensual Seduction, asking "How many ladies would like to have a 'Sensual Seduction'?"   Additionally Nelly, along with host, actress Lauren London were in on the performance.  The runway models were given a lot more freedom than usual, as they danced hip-hop, strutted provocatively, carried and walked small dogs, flirted with the other male models, and shaked their booties, or if you prefer--their money makers.

Comedian announcer Chris Brown, who was wearing a "Class Clown University" Jacket, told the following jokes: "If the 'Soldja Boy' song were to come on, you could be at a funeral, the body pops up out of the casket, and you still would need to get up to do the 'Solja Boy' dance", "I want Barack to win, so we can have a 'National Kool Aid Day', and Weezie on the National Anthem singing, "Yo say can you see". "I need the ghetto chicks to walk the runway, some ladies with glue still stuck to the side of their head from their weave"...um OK!

Sean Jean/P.Diddy/Diddy reminded the audience that, "urban fashion is a billion dollar business, and that fashion is everything from the way we walk to the way we talk, no one does it like us. It all started with the Harlem Renaissance, with men wearing wing tips and women in short skirts, black berets, leather coats, and afros with attitude."  Lastly, poor Nelly admitted that, "I am no host", as he was presenting,  gave a slip of the tongue, and accidentally said, "from tee shirts to sucks-seedos, fashion....".

"Rip the Runway" was filmed live and will air on BET on March 4th and 9pm Eastern Standard Time (EST).

-Article by Sharon M Abella

*photos by Sharon M Abella for The Quest for "it" 

GRAMMY HIGHLIGHTS: An Insightful Re-Cap of the 50th Annual Grammys

By now you are probably very well aware who the winning performers were from "The 50th Annual Grammy Awards Show" held at "The Staples Center" in Los Angeles last night, therefore, I will touch upon some of the highlights, the ironies, and the commercials.

The awards offered performances from a nice balance of old classic musicians blended with the younger talent for example, Tina Turner's duet with Beyonce Knowles, was hot, as Tina looked and sounded AMAZING.  John Paul Jones, the original bassist from "THE" Led Zeppelin, played along with the super sexy "Foo Fighters", Aretha Franklin performed a spiritual gospel song, while Ringo Starr gave a very cute peace sign upon his acceptance speech, mentioning that " fab is an old word that we still use".

Other Observations, and Ironies....

Kanye West's performance dedicated to his mother who recently passed away due to a complication from a gastric bypass surgery, was extremely moving, as he sang, "last night I saw you in my dreams, now I can't wait to go to sleep, this life, this here and now, this Grammy, all of this is all a dream, but my real life begins when I go to sleep."

I thought it was a bit strange that Rihanna and Jay Z would win an award together for her hit "Umbrella", as I would imagine, it might make Beyonce a little jealous? Are the corporate big wigs trying to throw a monkey wrench into their relationship? 

Amy Winehouse appeared dumbfounded upon winning for "Record of the Year", of course, the irony being that her sultry voice sings, "They're trying to get me to go to rehab, but I say, 'No, No, No' ", when, of course, we all know that she recently entered rehab.  She gave a shout out to her incarcerated husband, who got thrown in jail for started a pub brawl, and dedicated the grammy "TO LONDON", and to a section of London that was under fire this past weekend.

The "Superbowl" caliber of advertisements shown in between the performances were also very amusing. You had the "Life Water" commercial with the "Gecko-like"lizards along with Naomi Campbell, dancing to Michael Jackson's "Thriller", a Caucasian family of 4 sitting around the dining room table eating KFC, amazed to learn how their father used to be in a band, and the adorable boy dressed up in a hip hop outfit with at 1980's boom box blaring as he dunks McDonald's food into the BBQ dip.

The worst of the Grammy award show has to go to Cher, who, I'm sorry to say, looked like a transvestite, and to Vince Gill, who insulted Kanye, "I just had a Beatle hand me a Grammy...., have you had that happen to you yet Kanye?"   

-Article by Sharon M. Abella

*photo credit: Copyright 2008 Kevin Winter/Getty Images

"The Orphanage"/"El Orfanato"

                           Hi!

Guillermo Del Toro, the Oscar award winning director for "El Laberinto del Fauno" or "Pan's Labyrinth", produced this new spine-chilling dramatic thriller, "El Orfanato", or "The Orphanage", directed by Juan Antonio Bayona. Belen Rueda, who plays the leading female role, Laura, and Fernando Cayo, in the role of Carlos, her counterpart, return to the house Laura grew up in, to raise their chronically ill, orphaned son, Simon, played by Roger Princep. Disturbed by her son's constant playing with imaginary friends, it isn't until he turns up missing that Laura learns their dream home by the sea is haunted, and that the ghosts of five other sick children are present in the house. Laura continues to follow clues and instructions in the hopes she will be lead to her missing child. CHILLING!!! My entire body had the chills for about 15 minutes at various parts throughout the film. GO WITH A DATE!!! :)

Questions for the:

Q #1-"Tell us a little bit about the casting process:"

A-"Balen Rueda was the first person I thought of for the role of Laura. She comes from a Spanish television/comedy background, and I decided to put someone unusual in the role, someone that has never been seen before."

Q #2- What is your favorite scene in the film?

A-"The grieving group therapy scene."

Q-#3-"What can you recommend to the viewer that they may not know?"

A- "DON'T GO to the theater ALONE, as the movie provokes debate."

Question directed to Arthur from "Picturehouse":

Q #1- "What is your favorite scene in the film?"

A- "When the truck hits the old woman."

Question directed to Balen Rueda: (actress who portrays Laura)

Q #1:"What challenges did you face in the role?"

A- "I realized I could do a scary movie, it was my childhood dream. The script is amazing."

Question to Bob, distributor from "Picture House":

Q #1: "What was your favorite scene?"

A- "When the truck hits the woman and her arm raises up."

Article by Sharon M Abella

"There Will Be Blood" by Sharon M. Abella

Hey There!

"There Will Be Blood" is based on the novel by Upton Sinclair. Paramount Vantage's, John Lesher, also known for producing, "Into The Wild", "No Country For Old Men", "Margot At The Wedding", and "There Will Be Blood", thanked everyone for coming stating, "It's like inviting everyone to a party and everybody came."   The pre-party was held at "Brasserie 8 1/2", and after party, was jokingly going to be held at John's Hotel Suite 2107."   

A story of hypocrisy.  When a strong-willed entrepreneurial leader and oilman from Texas comes face to face with good natured common folk, he doesn't follow God's cues of living life without greed and selfishness, and reaps the ill-fated repercussions as a result.  Plainview, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, is looking to be treated with respect and lashes out when life throws him curve balls, when those close to him aren't honest and honoring him, when his anguish and his disbelief that "God is a superstition" gets the best of him, he becomes more and more aggressive, and deliberately and intentionally mean spirited.   Great performances.

Daniel Day-Lewis, Russell Harvard as an older H.W., Paul Dano as Eli Sunday, Dillon Freasier, as a younger HW, Kevin O'Connor, Liam Neeson, Brad Grey, and Maggie Gyllenhaal, in attendance. - Article by Sharon M. Abella

"Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" by Sharon M. Abella

                      Hello!

"These are desperate times Mrs. Lovett, and desperate measures are called for."  You may say "Sweeney Todd:  The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" is the macabre, musical sequel to "Edward Scissorhands". When I asked Johnny Depp, "Did you perform all of your own songs in the film?", he jokingly answered,  A-"Yes, and I apologize."  My response:  "Don't be silly, you were great!"  You  may have seen or remember Michael Cerveris and Patty LuPone in the Tony Award winning Stephen Sondheim musical "Sweeney Todd" on Broadway a couple of years back, well, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall and "The" Sacha Baron Cohen as Signor Adolfo Pirelli really gave them a run for their money in Tim Burton's film adaptation of the Broadway show.  *Addendum:  Michael Cerveris is currently starring in Shakespeare's play, "Cymbeline" at "The Vivian Beaumont Theater.

Adolfo, Sascha Baron Cohen, competes against Mr. Todd in a shaving contest, he drapes a smock striped like the Italian flag, ie. red, white and green, over his client, which provided a little comic relief, as the audience burst out in laughter in this otherwise grim and bloody tale of a man unjustly sent to prison who seeks revenge, not only for that unjust punishment, but also for the devastating consequence of what happened to his wife and daughter.  I congratulated Sacha Baron Cohen, aka, Ali G, Borat, and Bruno, the designer, on his new Baby Borat, and asked him for a photo, however, he stated in a thick British accent, "Oh, no, I'm sorry, but I don't take photos out of character."  My reply in a thick Italian accent, (similar to Adolfo's),  "Ti prego, ti prego!", but no luck. 

"I think the reason 'Sweeney Todd' has endurred for 150 years is that it's a really good story...a very gripping tale.  It's a story about revenge and how revenge eats itself up, " says Stephen Sondheim.  "What sets "Sweeney Todd" apart from other stories is the solid emotional core of the story."  "The key to 'Sweeney Todd' is emotion," says screenwriter John Logan.    Very well performed.   The after party was held at The Four Seasons.   -Article by Sharon M. Abella