The Help
Spencer plays Minny Jackson, an African-American maid living and working in 1960’s Jackson, Mississippi in Tate Taylor’s The Help based on the novel by Kathryn Stockett. The Help tells the story of African-American maids and how they view their white employers as recorded by a young, white, female author. Co-starring Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Jessica Chastain, and Allison Janney.
I think the “The Help” reminds us of our humanity. And it’s socially relevant even today. I think you can substitute the plight of the African-Americans and their quest for civil rights with homosexuals wanting the right to marry. Revolutions usually happen when the underserved or underclass find their situation no longer tenable. Look at Occupy Wall Street fighting for the shrinking middle class and poor, you know what I mean?
Salvation Boulevard
In this drama, directed by George Ratliff, Brosnan plays Reverend Dan who oversees a megachurch. When Dan’s nemesis, an atheist author, dies, Dan taps Carl, a parishioner, to take on unusual new tasks in the church. Co-starring Greg Kinnear and Marisa Tomei. Ratliff:
It’s what Pierce and I talked about every minute that we were together. It’s very important that Dan Day believes, that he’s actually a believer, and he does these things but he never stops believing. He just turns the belief into this was somehow Satan coming in to undo all of his work, and he used Carl, the person I would never expect.
Horrible Bosses
Aniston plays Dr. Julia Harris, a dentist and horrible boss, in this dark comedy directed by Seth Gordon. Dr. Harris is incessant in sexually harassing her assistant Dale Arbus, played by Charlie Day. Dale and his friends, who have equally horrible bosses, conspire to murder all three so they can find happiness again. Co-starring Jason Bateman and Jason Sudeikis.
It was on the page. So I was just doing my job. There was nothing that didn’t happen that he wasn’t getting so tickled and excited about. The raunchier the better. It was pretty easy. It really was.
The Beaver
In this drama, directed by Jodie Foster, Gibson plays Walter Black. Plagued by his own demons, Walter Black was once a successful toy executive and family man who now suffers from depression. No matter what he tries, Walter can’t seem to get himself back on track until a beaver hand-puppet enters his life. Co-starring: Jodie Foster and Anton Yelchin. Foster:
He’s an amazingly talented person. We all know the strength he shows on the screen. He’s also witty. He can be funny and charming. I knew he would bring an affability to the role of Walter. He’s a soulful, interesting guy who knows a lot about struggle. And he’s very articulate about that and is interested in all the things Walter is interested in. Transformation. Change. The relationship with his son.
Kung Fu Panda 2
Jolie stars in the movie Kung Fu Panda 2 alongside Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, and David Cross. Po is now living his dream as The Dragon Warrior while protecting The Furious Five. Po’s new life is threatened a villain, who plans to use a secret weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu.
It’s the film my kids love. And as I travel around the world it’s the film other kids talk to me about. It’s better than anything. It’s the best.
Hesher
Gordon-Levitt portrays the title role in this dark comedy drama produced by Natalie Portman. A foul-mouthed nihilist who loves heavy metal music, Hesher enters the life of TJ, teenage boy who recently lost his mother and lives with his grieving father and grandmother. Hesher and his rebellious ways proceed to change TJ’s life as the young man deals with his own feelings of fear and grief. The film also stars Portman as a checkout clerk, Rainn Wilson as TJ’s father, and Piper Laurie as the grandmother.
Thor
Portman plays Jane Foster in the 2011 film adaptation of the comic book hero. A young and arrogant Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth, has much to learn before he can become the King of Asgard. Banished to Earth by his father Odin, played by Anthony Hopkins, Thor begins to realize the true responsibility of power. On working with Hopkins:
I was completely intimidated… I kept messing up lines around him because I was so nervous, and he was so sweet about it. He made me feel at ease.
The Encounter
Sting stars in as wealthy business man in The Encounter, which centers around a group of total strangers who find themselves at a mysterious diner in the middle of nowhere, waiting on the roads to open from a storm. They discover their server just may be Jesus Christ himself. Co-starring Bruce Machiano, Danah Davis and Jamie Nieto.
I had as much money as I needed. I could travel wherever I wanted to go, I could buy whatever I wanted to buy, and I didn’t need God – or, at least, so I thought. The biggest match of my life was against God, and he thankfully wrestled me down to the ground before it was too late.
Arthur
Brand plays the title role in this remake of the 1981 film of the same name. Arthur Bach is a spoiled and alcoholic heir to a multi-million inheritance, but can claim it only if he marries a rich woman played by Jennifer Garner. With the help of his nanny (Helen Mirren), he defies the wishes of his mother. Also featuring Greta Gerwig, Luis Guzmán, and Nick Nolte..
I saw it as an honor to play a part played by Dudley Moore. I’m a huge fan of his, I’m from ten minutes away from where he’s from, so for me, it was like ‘wishful filming’, to be honest, even to be offered the opportunity to be in this film. And now that it’s been made, I’m so proud of it. I think it’s so funny, and it also has incredible heart.
Your Highness
Portman plays Isabel in an adventure comedy that revolves around two princes, clumsy Thadeous, played by Danny McBride, and his heroic brother Fabious, played by James Franco. The two set out on a quest to save Fabious’ fiancée and the kingdom.
I think that they will be very surprised and entertained by Your Highness. It’s a very unusual and extremely funny movie.
Elektra Luxx
Gordon-Levitt stars in this comedy sequel to Women in Trouble. It is directed by Sebastian Gutierrez, and features the actor as Bert Rodriquez, a Hispanic sex blogger who is an avid fan of retired porn star Elektra Luxx played by Carla Gugino. The actor is joined by Josh Brolin, Timothy Olyphant, Emmanuelle Chriqui, and Malin Ackerman.
No Strings Attached
Portman plays Emma, opposite actor Ashton Kutcher in this romantic comedy, the story of two L.A. friends that are in a strictly “friends with benefits” relationship. No romance, no complications, just sex.
It’s a big honor to have people be excited about a movie that you make. That’s the one thing that you want, is for an audience to connect to what you make
Burning Palms
Pike appears as Dedra Davenport in the indie film directed by Christopher Landon. She is disturbed by an unhealthy relationship between her fiance and his daughter. Co-stars Shannen Doherty and Dylan McDermott.
Black Swan
Portman plays Nina Sayers/The Swan Queen, in the 2010 drama Black Swan. The film depicts the life of a young New York ballerina, her controlling mother, and the pressures of her industry. Nina tries to make sense of things as she is consumed in a life full with jealousy, lust, and rivalry.
It was about a year of ballet preparation that sort of ramped up as the film got closer. It started out for a couple of hours a day, then five hours a day, then more like eight hours and it was very intense but really fun, too.
The Tourist
Jolie stars in the action thriller The Tourist. She plays a woman who deliberately crosses paths with her costar Johnny Depp to live a live of mystery and trouble. After dating Depp, Jolie finds herself playing cat and mouse with a man she starts to love. Other cast members include Paul Bettany and Rufus Sewell.
We wanted to make sure that she had a kind of sexiness and elegance, but also that she was fun, playful, and sweet. Instead of a big high slit, Colleen put a bow in the bum. It was very different than anything I’ve ever worn. It took me a while to get used to the heels and the gloves and how to hold the handbag.
The Tempest
Brand stars in this fantasy film adaptation of the William Shakespeare play. He plays Trinculo, a wayward jester in the court of King Alonso who conspires against Prospera with her slave, Caliban. Directed by Julie Taymor, the film also features Helen Mirren as Prospera, Djimoun Hounsou as Caliban, and David Strathairn as King Alonso.
In this film, I play the part of Trinculo. He’s a court jester. He’s errant and wayward, but you know, he’s got lovely trousers.
Unstoppable
Washington plays Frank Barnes in Unstoppable, an action thriller about veteran train conductor Barnes and his apprentice Will Colson, played by Chris Pine. Not long into his new job, Colson must help Barnes stop a runaway train full of toxic chemicals before it crashes and spills into town. Also starring Rosario Dawson.
Yes, getting to drive a train was great. Everything on them hurts. You can step on something or hit your knee. It was dangerous all the time.
Morning Glory
McAdams plays Becky, an ambitious TV producer, in this comedy directed by Roger Michell. Becky accepts a job at a struggling morning show, a position that almost seems to be too much to handle. Co-starring Diane Keaton, Harrison Ford and Jeff Goldblum.
I instantly liked her when I read the script. Becky was just this very scattered, goofy, kind of nutty character who is in charge of everything. She’s trying to keep this whole big fiasco together and she wants to stop it from completely coming apart at the seams, yet she is completely coming apart at the seams. I liked that juxtaposition. I also liked the fact she was very expressive about how she felt. You know, normally, it’s the on-air talent that is so communicative about their feelings, but she’s this behind the scenes person who really had a lot of personality.
Morning Glory
Ford plays Mike Pomeroy, veteran reporter and new Daybreak co-anchor, in this comedy directed by Roger Michell. Becky, an ambitious TV producer, accepts a job at a struggling morning show, a position that almost seems to be too much to handle. Co-starring Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Jeff Goldblum.
What is news? It’s hard to quantify. Certainly news has changed completely, and the morning shows are not really designed to bring you the news, except to tell you what happened overnight, and the rest of it is a kind of magazine mentality—a little bit of this, a little bit of that. It’s harder to be an educated and informed citizen.
Morning Glory
Keaton plays Colleen Peck, the co-host of Daybreak, in this comedy directed by Roger Michell. Becky, an ambitious TV producer, accepts a job at a struggling morning show, a position that almost seems to be too much to handle. Co-starring Harrison Ford, Rachel McAdams and Jeff Goldblum.
I, for one, immediately turn on CNN. I think I’m a creature of habit—it’s just automatically where I go to. And, I love it. I love watching it, and I’m a big proponent of CNN. I’m a big fan. I love Anderson Cooper. I love Candy Crowley. I love them all—every single one of them.