Kevin Tent had been nominated for three ACE Eddies before winning this month for The Descendants , which the American Cinema Editors deemed Best Edited Feature (Drama). Tent’s work in the cutting room played an important role in placing The Descendants firmly in the drama category. The longtime collaborator with Alexander Payne — Tent’s other Eddie nods were for Sideways , About Schmidt and Election — says that much more comedy from the King family was shot than what we see onscreen and that removing it just felt right. In a few days, Tent will vie for the Best Film Editing Oscar for the first time. Movieline spoke with him about how the movie’s dramatic story came together, the attention from the Academy and his plans for Oscar night and beyond. How has awards season been treating you? TENT: It’s been a blast. And also a little odd and strange because, especially being an editor, you don’t usually find yourself in the spotlight. I can’t imagine what it must be like for actors like George [Clooney] . But for me, it’s all good and just like they say, after the initial shock wears off you start to think, “Wow … this is really an honor.” And it is. What was the collaborative process like on this film? TENT: Alexander [Payne] and I work very close with each other. He loves the cutting room. As he likes to say, “I shoot so I can edit.” He’s very collaborative. There’s a lot of back and forth between us. People often ask how we work with each other. It’s hard to describe. Editing is such and abstract exercise and I don’t really like to analyze our process, but what I can say is we shut the door, put our heads down and go to work. We just keep looking at the footage and trying different options. We usually agree on what are strongest performances are and build scenes around them. If something sucks we try to fix it or cut it out or do something to mitigate its suckiness. What specific decisions did you make early on to set the tone of the film? TENT: It became pretty clear to me early on that it was going to be more of a drama than a comedy. The script was written with much more humor, and much of it was shot. But as we began cutting the humor, in many cases felt forced and insensitive to the tragedy that the King family was going through. It’s not like from Day 1 we thought “let’s dump the humor.” It was a slow process. As the film evolved it became evident that the humor was becoming less important. We still needed it, of course. Otherwise we’d have an incredibly bleak movie. But we had to work to get to a sort of organic or natural balance between the two big elements of the movie — the humor and the drama. So we just kept cutting and trimming till we got to the place that is now the movie. Was there a scene or storytelling device that stood out for you as the most difficult or challenging on this film? TENT: I think as I said above getting the tone right was really a big challenge. And as always pace was an issue, especially the last third of the movie. The scene in which Matt King confronts Brian Speers at the beach house feels (to the audience) like the climax of the movie. But there was still a whole big chunk of the movie to finish. Plus we had a two story lines moving along at the same time: the mother’s death and the sale of the family’s land. The sale was much more than a subplot, and we had to keep it alive for the audience. So all that being said, keeping the pace moving was very challenging. And also making sure it didn’t move too quickly. We wanted to make sure the audience had time to absorb what was happening from an emotional perspective. I mean, they understood what was happening from a story perspective — that wasn’t complicated — but allowing them to actually feel was what we were protective of. Who is accompanying you to the ceremony? TENT: My wife and 14-year-old son are going. My wife is beside herself. She’s so excited. My son’s a little dubious about the whole thing, but I know he’s going to have a good time. How are you following this film? What’s your next project? TENT: Mr. Payne is due to start his next movie in April. Hopefully that will be our next outing. I can’t wait. MORE 2012 OSCAR ROUNDTABLES AND CHATS Best Cinematography Best Costume Design Best Documentary Feature Best Foreign-Language Feature Best Animated Feature
So we’ve already established that The Artist is going to pretty much dominate next month’s Academy Awards — a certainty that we’ve seen reflected in the behavior of certain awards-season foes who’ve taken aim at the silent film’s ubiquitous wonder dog Uggie. Christopher Plummer led the offensive last week on behalf of his Beginners co-star (and Uggie’s fellow Jack Russell terrier) Cosmo, joined over the weekend by an unlikely ally hoping to raise another dog’s profile as we sleepwalk toward Oscar. Martin Scorsese — yes, the Martin Scorsese, master filmmaker and current Best Director nominee for Hugo — put his name on a cheeky L.A. Times op-ed asking viewers, voters and especially the organizers of the inaugural Golden Collar Awards to consider his film’s fierce Doberman, Blackie. It’s all kind of priceless: OK, let’s lay all our cards on the table. Jack Russell terriers are small and cute. Dobermans are enormous and — handsome. More tellingly, Uggie plays a nice little mascot who does tricks and saves his master’s life in one of the films, while Blackie gives an uncompromising performance as a ferocious guard dog who terrorizes children. I’m sure you can see what I’m driving at. I’m proud of Blackie, who laid it on the line and dared to risk the sympathy of her audience. Let’s just say that on the set, she had a fitting nickname: Citizen Canine. The bath scene alone is a masterpiece of underplaying, with Blackie’s wonderfully aquiline face accentuated by the 3-D. Ohhhh, boy. You really need to read the whole thing, for both a refreshing glimpse at Scorsese’s sense of humor and a bracing example of how dogs — dogs! — have politicized this year’s awards race. Dog News Daily has agreed to add Blackie to its Golden Collar nominees if she receives 500 write-in endorsements today on Facebook. I mean, come on . Blackie is fantastic and all, but Uggie’s 10,000 fans on Facebook say all anyone needs to know about the year’s most formidable four-legged awards contender. Oh, right: Did I mention that Movieline’s Consider Uggie campaign has eclipsed 10,000 supporters worldwide since its launch two months ago? It’s true! With a little less than 30 days remaining before the Academy Awards, we’re on pace for around 15,000 Uggieheads by the big night. I’d hoped for something a little closer to 20,000, so if you haven’t yet joined up, please consider heading over to Consider Uggie HQ and giving our boy a little boost. Tell your friends on Twitter to #ConsiderUggie as well, and continue keeping track of everything he’s up to via Facebook and/or Uggie’s own Twitter page ( @Uggie_TheArtist ). Or as always, keep on eye on Movieline for all your Consider Uggie news and to learn about the next great director to fire across Uggie’s bow. Go ahead, Terrence Malick, I dare you.
What? We ruined a perfect 0% on Rotten Tomatoes for this? “[Katherine] Heigl herself does an okay job in the role. She never quite pulls off the Jersey persona but she comes close enough. With her dyed brown hair and slightly more curvy appearance she certainly looks better than I’ve ever seen her look. I never thought of her as that attractive before, but she’s quite sexy here. She should definitely keep the dark hair. Despite the weakness of the mystery and the failure of the humor to be as funny as it should be, there is just enough of everything plus a dose of likable charm from Heigl to keep the story moving along.” Get me my pitchfork and torch, please . [ Three Movie Buffs ]
Walker talks to MTV News about playing a vampire-killing president. By Josh Horowitz Benjamin Walker in “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” Photo: Twentieth Century Fox Film MTV News’ first couple minutes on the set of “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” last spring were freaky. There we were, on a soundstage in New Orleans, and yet standing in front of us was the 16th President of the United States himself. A Fox publicist’s assurance that we were set to talk to Benjamin Walker, star and namesake of “Vampire Hunter,” rather than the man who was gunned down in a theater in 1865, did little to diminish the creepiness, because we were starring at no actor but Honest Abe himself. Eventually we composed ourselves, and an epic and whirlwind day on the set of director Timur Bekmambetov’s adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith’s best-selling novel proceeded without a hitch. Now, we’re rolling out our exclusive look at the set, including interviews with Walker, Bekmambetov and costar Anthony Mackie. It’s all part of our Ones to Watch series, a weeklong look at actors and actresses set to have amazing years in 2012. Out of his Abe getup and with “Vampire Hunter” set for release on June 22, Walker called us up to chat in greater depth about his experience in the genre mashup and why the film will show us Lincoln as we’ve truly never seen him before. MTV News : Is it a daunting proposition knowing what’s to come? This is a summer tent pole and you’re the guy. Do you feel a little bit of that weight? Benjamin Walker : Having never done it, I really don’t even know what to be afraid of. I’m just taking it in stride. MTV : Was this role, when you heard about it, something that was like, “Oh my god, that’s something I’m dying to do?” Or was it something that took a little discussing with your team to say, “Hey, this would be cool for you.” Walker : Well, I had just finished doing a rock musical about Andrew Jackson, so I was already suited for it. What really got me excited was Timur. I liked his work, and as soon as I found out he was directing it, I wanted to be a part of it. MTV : Can you give me a sense of what the process was like in getting the role? Did you have to go through multiple auditions and screen tests? Walker : I met him in LA months before I got the job, and then he came and saw the Andrew Jackson show. There was a test that we did together with no prosthetics, and then we had the test Greg Cannom and Will Huff, the makeup artists. After that, the deal was closed, but we’re talking about over the span of six or seven months. MTV : What’s the preparation for a role like this? What were the things you needed to get done before you stepped onto set for the first time? Walker : First off, I had to lose about 30 pounds. I put on a lot of weight for Andrew Jackson, and Lincoln, particularly later in his life, was a very slight man. I learned ax fighting, which was a whole new martial art that they created for the film. Then I started brushing up on my Abe Lincoln history. MTV : Was the weight loss easy for you to do? Walker : Who can do that? It’s the easiest way to do it, when a studio’s willing to help you do it, and then you’re training at the same time so you’re exercising regularly and heavily. Certainly the easiest way to do it, but certainly not pleasant. MTV : Tell me about Lincoln’s fighting style. Walker : The stunt guys and the fight choreographer, Mic Rodgers, who is a stunt legend, and a gentleman named Don Lee — all of these guys are martial artists and stuntmen. They created a form of fighting that would be unique to Lincoln at that time, that’s never been in a movie before. As I’m learning it, they’re creating it. It was really fascinating. MTV : What is it comparable to? Walker : It’s comparable to a kind of bow staff fighting. If you imagine a shorter bow staff with a blade on the end of it, a kind of continuously spinning, ruthless and simultaneously graceful martial art. MTV : When I was on set, I noticed the makeup on you was remarkable up close. I would imagine that you have to do this fighting stuff in that getup, obviously. That seems like a twofold challenge for you. Did that get in the way at all? Walker : It became uncomfortable over time. You start to sweat under it. You’re wearing a three-piece wool suit and fighting vampires and you’re wearing a mask. It really becomes uncomfortable, but the men who created it, Greg Cannom and Will Huff, are absolute geniuses. If I ever felt frustrated, all I had to do was catch a reflection of this amazing sculpture that they had created on my face. The frustration would just fall away because I knew how great it looked. MTV : Did your friends or wife visit you on set, and what did they make of your look? Walker : Mostly everyone was creeped out by it because it’s Abraham Lincoln, and I’m talking about where we’re going to go have dinner. MTV : So you didn’t ever walk off set in downtown New Orleans as Abraham Lincoln? Walker : No, because we’re trying to keep it and how magnificent it looks as secret as possible. I was kind of sequestered to a tent anytime I was off shooting. MTV : I’m anxious to see some finished footage in a trailer. Have they shown you much yet? Walker : I’ve only seen some ADR material, and it’s very, very exciting. MTV : Did you guys shoot it in 3-D or are you posting it in 3-D? Walker : If I’m not mistaken, we’re posting it in 3-D. MTV : Was the book itself useful? Had you read the book prior to this opportunity coming up? Walker : I read the book as soon as I knew I was going to meet on it. It’s helpful in terms of understanding the style and the seriousness with which we embrace this mashup, but there are going to be things in the movie that are surprises to people who know the book. But, also, we pay homage to what’s great about the book. MTV : My sense is — correct me if I’m wrong — that it feels like I was on the set of a Lincoln biopic because I didn’t see any of the action stuff. It feels like it was all shooting extremely seriously and then you add that layer of crazy action and irreverence in that form. Does it feel like we’re in a drama that’s infected with action and violence? Walker : It’s more like we looked at Lincoln through the lens of that. What we do is embrace a dramatic story. It’s in the title. You get it. Vampires. Now we commit to it, and you get to go on that ride. MTV : Do you feel a little bit of resentment toward Mr. Daniel Day-Lewis? This guy can’t let you be the one Lincoln of the year. You have some competition from the greatest living actor on the planet. Walker : Luckily, they’re very different movies. MTV : What can you guarantee to me is better about your Lincoln movie than his Lincoln movie? Walker : Our vampires will be much better than their vampires. MTV : Although, I would like to see Daniel Day-Lewis fight vampires. You could do a mashup there one day. Are your presidential days behind you? Walker : I would love to continue through the cannon of American presidents. They’re fascinating people. America’s story is a story that fascinates me. I’ll never turn down a president. MTV : Let it be known to casting directors everywhere. Walker : It has to be a weird interpretation of the president, apparently. MTV : A very specialized career you have going. ‘Paradise Lost,’ what’s going on with that? Is that a stop? Is that a go? Walker : It sounds like what they’re trying to do is so ambitious they need a little bit more time to prep. They’re looking for the summer, which is fine by me. It’s also the kind of movie that if we’re not ready, we don’t need to start. They’re doing something in a technological aspect that nobody’s ever done in a movie. If they want a little extra time, they can have it. MTV : I assume you’re jazzed about that one. You like the script and you like the interpretation? We haven’t seen many blockbusters made of poems in the history of cinema, but this will be something unique, I think. Walker : That story is the story that began all stories. It’s one of the greatest stories of all time. It’s something I studied in school and I’m excited to be a part of. MTV : Are you still doing some comedy in New York or elsewhere? Walker : Oh yeah, Find the Funny is at Joe’s Pub usually the first of every month. We’re working out some kinks for the New Year, but we’re certainly going to be starting out here shortly. It’s something I love to do and something I love to be a part of. MTV : That side of you is something we haven’t seen on the big screen yet. Is that opportunity is exciting for you? To bring a little bit of that stage persona to the big screen work? Walker : I think it would be a lot of fun. There’s little greater in life than making someone laugh. If you can do it in the medium of film, it’s even more rewards, I imagine. MTV : Do you know what the next gig is, whether it’s on stage or in front of the camera? Walker : Well, the industry is coming back together after the holidays. There are a lot of possibilities. “Paradise” moving has changed some things. So far, I’m gearing up for the press tour for “Lincoln,” which is going to be a huge undertaking. MTV : Have you talked to friends and family that have gone through this sort of thing yet to know what you’re getting into? It’s a lot of sitting in hotel rooms and answering the same questions for hours on end, carpets. Walker : I could probably ask you what it’s like. You know better than anybody. You probably have to be much more miserable than I have to be. MTV : I’m looking forward to seeing how glazed over your eyes are when I see you at your first junket. Will it be your first junket you’ve done? Walker : You can reserve the right, because we know each other, to reach across the table and swat me, to bring me back to life if you need to. MTV : There was talk that you did a workshop for this “American Psycho” musical. Was that something that was fun? Is that something you’re hoping might come together in another form? Walker : I’d love to do it. The music was great. Duncan Sheik did the music. It’s a very timely story right now. It’s a musical about the deregulation of American finance through the lens of a crazy person. It’s a lot of fun. The thing that’s great about “American Psycho” as a play or musical is that it’s funnier. MTV : Were you a fan of Mary Harron’s film? Obviously, Christian Bale was amazing in that as well. Walker : That was an amazing movie. MTV : A little bit of a different take, it sounds like. I guess accentuate the humor a little bit more. Walker : A lot of the things that happened in the film were inferred through voice-over, with a stage play, it’s direct address. You’re literally having a conversation with the audience. MTV : Is there Phil Collins? Is there Genesis in the stage play? Walker : Oh, yeah. “Feel It Coming In the Air Tonight.” Related Videos 2012 Ones To Watch
Red Tails executive producer George Lucas had nothing but good intentions by getting this movie made, but he admits that he has unintentionally put Black filmmakers in jeopardy. He financed Red Tails with his own money because he could not get a studio in Hollywood to pick it up. Red Tails cost $58 million to make, more than most other Black films to produce, and if it doesn’t succeed financially, Lucas recognizes that studios will be less likely to green light more movies by Black filmmakers for Black audiences. Read the rest of his comments at HuffPost . Watch him talk about why getting his film made was such a challenge in the clip below. RELATED POSTS: The Cast of “Red Tails” Heat Up Cover of Ebony Magazine [PHOTOS] Tuskegee Airmen Story Told By George Lucas In “Red Tails” [VIDEO] The Daily Show Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes , Political Humor & Satire Blog , The Daily Show on Facebook
They say to write what you know. Unfortunately, in the case of screenwriter Will Reiser, what he knew was cancer. Six years ago, Reiser was diagnosed with cancer in his back, and — after surgery to remove the tumor — decided to handle the life-changing situation the only way he knew how: by finding the humor. Thus, 50/50 was born.
They say to write what you know. Unfortunately, in the case of screenwriter Will Reiser, what he knew was cancer. Six years ago, Reiser was diagnosed with cancer in his back, and — after surgery to remove the tumor — decided to handle the life-changing situation the only way he knew how: by finding the humor. Thus, 50/50 was born.
Are they misunderstood, grieving grandparents? Gold-digging weirdos? It’s unclear to say the least. Perhaps Dr. Phil can figure out George and Cindy Anthony. The September 12 season premiere of the Dr. Phil Show will find Phil sitting across from the parents of America’s most hated individual, Casey Anthony. The Anthonys will discuss their daughter’s trial, during which they both testified, what their lives are like now, and finally the million-dollar question: Did Casey kill Caylee Anthony? Here’s Phil’s promo: Dr. Phil Interview Promo Casey Anthony trial: Did the jury get it right?
While her sister Beyonce was revealing her pregnancy , Solange Knowles made headlines for less positive reasons in Miami, Fla., on Sunday night. According to reports, Solange and her crew were rejected from a club because they had a balloon, which they decided to cross the street to pop. Yes, this happened … and resulted in a run-in with the cops. There they encountered two off duty police officers, and a conversation ensued, which was “casual and light-hearted” at first. Then it went bad. Apparently, the authorities were not enthralled about Solange being there, or about the balloon, which they brandished a weapon to destroy. Police say Solange was “armed” with a “five-foot inflatable banana.” We’re serious. According to Solange’s rep, these events followed : One officer pulled out a switchblade and threatened to pop the balloon. They felt it was inappropriate, but the turning point happened when he then took out the switchblade a second time with the blade open and said to them, ‘I don’t find the humor in this, anymore.’ The blade was less than a couple feet away from Solange and her friends. The officer proceeded to “forcefully” ask them to move, gesturing that they cross the street though there was oncoming traffic. Solange then asked the officer what was it that they did wrong, and he forcefully responded again to move. When a taxi pulled up, they got in and headed home. Solange made a series of calls to report the incident and was told to be prepared to be arrested when she came in to report the incident if her story was false. Solange simply wanted to report that the officer pulled out a weapon, when she had done nothing illegal, disruptive or belligerent. Solange is filing a report and has not yet decided on further legal action . The Miami Beach police said in rebuttal that Solange became unruly, loudly complaining of being rejected from the club for racial reasons. Solange inisists she never once raised her voice, although even if she did, cops whipping out a switchblade may not have been necessary. Beyonce’s sis has also gone on to state her sincerest disappointment with the Miami Beach Police and how they have handled this matter. No word if the matter will be pursued any further. [Photo: WENN.com]
