Role Mommy TV & Film News

"The Help" Movie Review

You've heard it hear first at Role Mommy...we just saw "The Help" and it is amazing!

My mom and I just got the opportunity to see an advanced screening of "The Help" - incidentally, mom even hopped on the Hampton Jitney to join me for a night on the town, and I'm happy to report that the film was absolutely amazing! If you've read the book (and if you're a fan of Role Mommy, we've recommended reading it many times over), you will be thrilled to find out that the movie version of the film stays completely true to the novel. Make sure you bring tissues because you will find yourself crying, laughing and cheering for Minny, Aibileen and Skeeter.

If you haven't read The Help (Movie Tie-In)
(shame on you if you haven't), by Kathryn Stockett, it is one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling phenomenon. The film stars Emma Stone ("Easy A") as Skeeter, Academy Award®-nominated Viola Davis ("Doubt") as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny--three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s, who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk. From their improbable alliance a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them, and the realization that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed--even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times.

I can't say enough great things about this movie. In fact, I haven't fell in love with a film about southern women since "Steel Magnolias," and let me tell you, "The Help" has definitely earned the coveted spot as my new favorite feature film of the year. In addition to Emma Stone, I also loved the Academy Award worthy performances by Sissy Spacek and Allison Janney, who play the larger than life mothers of the two central characters Hilly and Skeeter. Trust me when I tell you, their performances will have you crying and laughing - all in one breath. And as for the person who deserves an Oscar for her role? Well, Octavia Spencer should have that one all sewn up for her sassy, no holds barred portrayal of Minny.

What intrigued me most about the story behind "The Help" was that author Kathryn Stockett was rejected 60 times before a publisher decided to move forward with her book. Her determination has literally created a movement among women nationwide who have urged one another to read the book and share it with friends. Below is a trailer for the film and when it opens on August 10, make sure you grab your best girlfriends and book a ticket to see "The Help."

Deeply moving, filled with poignancy, humor and hope, "The Help" is a timeless and universal story about the ability to create change. Visit The Help on Facebook and if you're on Twitter, make sure you share your experience by using the hashtag #TheHelpMovie. More to come this week when we share recipes from The Help and a great giveaway for fans!!!

Posted in: Role Mommy Recommends, Role Mommy TV & Film News, TV on 08/05/2011

Join Us for a #SharkWeek Twitter Party!

Ready for some biting humor, scary trivia and the chance to win prizes in celebration of Discovery Channel's upcoming Shark Week? Then you've come to the right place! @RoleMommy and @SelfishMom will host an online party to celebrate the DVD release of Shark Week 2011: Restless Fury. The party will take place on Twitter using the #SharkWeek hashtag Monday, July 18 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. EST. Make sure you follow @Discovery @SharkWeek @RoleMommy and @SelfishMom, visit www.tweetchat.com, enter #SharkWeek and you will be good to go!

Not to frighten you, but did you know that shark attacks are on the rise? Hence the reason I never go to the beach in the summer - okay maybe the reason is that I hate wearing bathing suits, but I digress. This July, Shark Week: Restless Fury fearlessly emerges on DVD and Blu-ray Disc. Watch footage of actual shark attacks and the epic rescues that were caught on tape. Both include bonus features such as Sharks: Are They Hunting Us? Man Vs. Fish: Tiger Shark; and special to Blu-ray Disc, Man Vs. Fish: Mako Shark.

In honor of the DVD release, we'll be hosting a fun trivia filled Twitter event for shark fans everywhere. Every 15 minutes, @RoleMommy will prompt participants to answer shark related questions from SharkWeek 2011: Restless Fury. Each respondent will put into a drawing to win a copy of SharkWeek 2011: Restless Fury and a $20 Visa gift card; winners will be randomly announced at the end of the event so make sure you follow @RoleMommy so that we can DM you if you've won!

About Shark Week: Restless Fury
Shark Week: Restless Fury is a two-disc set with a total run time of 344 minutes and an SRP of $19.98. The Blu-Ray edition has a total run time of 387 minutes with an SRP $24.98. Street date: July 19, 2011.

Please comment below with your Twitter handle if you plan to join the fun! And since the party takes place just when your kids get home from day camp, feel free to have them join the party. They'll probably know all the answers!

Posted in: Role Mommy Recommends, Role Mommy TV & Film News on 07/14/2011

An Interview with Carla Gugino

Mr. Popper's Penguins' Carla Gugino talks about Jim Carrey, freezing her behind off on set and how to break it to your parents that you want to be an actress.

Role Mommy west coast contributor Kristin Flannery got a chance to sit down with Carla Gugino, who plays divorced mom Amanda, opposite Jim Carrey in Mr. Popper's Penguins opening on June 17th.

Everyone wants to know what it was like to work with Jim Carrey. Was he crazy? Carla let us in on his technique, "Well, Jim is amazing because every take he tries something new, and that's always really fun to work with, or at least for me. It's great because he's just experimenting all the time. "

Carla grew up in Florida, so most of the shooting was not as warm as she would have hoped, "It was hysterical because the penguins don't function very well over 40 degrees. So, literally our set was 40 degrees and we shot in the winter in New York. We started sort of when it was still warm out, and then we were freezing on set. And then, finally the outside caught up to the inside. But, I'm not good in the cold at all."

Carla talked about what it was like to work with penguins, " And they are so sweet. I mean, they're not hugely trainable, so it's not like they can do extraordinary tricks or something. But, you cannot not smile when you are in a room with penguins. They're just the cutest things ever."

Carla had a chance to see the penguins unique style of swimming , "It was funny because I have a goddaughter who came to visit, and I brought her into the penguins. And it was true that they do this crazy thing where they're swimming around in their little pool, and then kind of in a crazy Spiderman kind of way they jump up in one and it's really shocking and really exciting. And it feels like it's something like film in reverse or something. It's so crazy how it happens, but they all did it. So, they're just in the water and then all of a sudden it's like, boom, boom, boom, you know, and they're jumping up."

Playing a divorced mom was a role that Carla feels a lot of kids and moms can relate to, "I mean, it's interesting because I think that there used to be such a thing about you need to be married to have children. There have been so many sort of unspoken rules. I have two stepchildren and they're big now. It really does kind of come down to each family making their own decisions and about the child being loved and having some sense of security being the most important thing. I know so many divorced parents and couples and kids who have been raised with that. So, I do think that it's become something that's sort of the fabric of our society."

You may not know this but Carla was valedictorian of her high school class. When she broke the news to them that she wanted to be an actor, they were behind her 100 percent, "They said, "Really? You want to act?" I just love it, too, because you could say you want to be a rocket scientist or anything, and they say, "Great! Yes!" And then, you tell them you want to be an actress, and they think, "Really?" But, no, they were very supportive is the truth, probably because I was such a serious student, that for me to then say that I wanted to do this, they knew it wasn't kind of a whim."

Mr. Popper's Penguins opens in theaters this Friday, June 17th.

Posted in: Blog, Role Mommy TV & Film News on 06/17/2011

Jim Carrey Chats with Role Mommy

Role Mommy contributor Kristin Flannery met the star of "Mr. Poppers Penguins" and she found out that in real life, Jim Carrey is not zany as he seems...

I expected to meet a crazy, off the wall Jim Carrey, but was pleasantly surprised to discover a deep, thoughtful man when we met for the press junket of "Mr. Popper's Penguins," out this Friday, June 17th in theaters nationwide. From "Ace Ventura" to "Truman," we all know Jim Carrey's acting range is vast, but seeing him in TV interviews when he hams it up for the camera is the way I thought he would arrive at the roundtable. I had a prime seat next to him and when he entered the room, I have to admit that I was a little nervous but he was so nice and made eye contact with everyone in such a way that you thought you were the only person in the room.

While the interviewers complimented Jim on his performance in "Mr. Popper's Penguins" he was very humble, "I'm not the guy who really wants to go out of his way to do something soft, like without kind of a rock and roll edge to it. But, I really kind of felt touched by it. It was really nice."

He plays a highly successful real estate developer in Manhattan, too busy to spend quality time with his family and Jim admits that his character is not that far from his own past, "That's what really drew me to the movie other than the fact that I love penguins, and I've said it, so many times before I ever did this project. But, the theme of somebody who is an adventurer but doesn't explore his relationship with his own son, is an amazing theme for me. Certainly there have been times in my life when I was so crazed with Hollywood and everything that was going on that I missed time with my daughter. So, I understand that and how important that is. And so, that's a theme that I'm ready to play. We've certainly mended anything that was going on between us. We're closer than ever."

Like many busy parents dealing with the pressures of having it all, Jim can relate, "I mean, it's definitely a recognizable theme and certainly something that's really prevalent for everybody nowadays. Everybody has to work and everybody's got that kind of guilt feeling, "Am I spending enough time," and, "Do they have my full focus?"
The most important thing in the world is to make your kids feel like they're the most important thing to you."

Now that he has a close relationship with his daughter, he makes sure that his grandson is also a top priority in his life, "I just hung out with him yesterday. He is starting to mimic and stuff like that. It's so funny. But, he's about a year and two months. So, he's just kind of "gah blah," or whatever. But, he does definitely mimic. And the great thing about him, you can see with kids, before they get squashed by anybody in school or anything like that, is there is this confidence of knowing that they are it."

Jim is amazed by the self confidence that kids have, "He walks into the room and he says, "Hi!" He's got this mischief on his face and stuff that you can just tell that he knows he's going to be completely accepted in every way, you know? There's no rejection in there at all. It's just full on, I am it. I know you want to see me. I know whenever I say hi, everybody's going to laugh, everybody's going to do their thing."

When discussing child actors, Jim has an enlightening look on the topic and on parenting in general, "I know a few, and Ron Howard is this wonderful guy. He made it through because he had parents who made him the most important thing. They will, if you love them. But, it's not their obligation. It's up to us to love them and let them go and do their thing and not go, "You're not making me feel good."

A movie with penguins is sure to have ice skating and Jim took full advantage of the rink. "Behind the scenes, in the apartment when they put that floor down that you could skate on, they lose me when that happens because I'm Canadian. And the rink in Central Park, "Hello." I was drenched with sweat. Before every take, they'd have to completely re-do my makeup and blow-dry my hair. They'd say, "Come on inside," and then they'd blow-dry my hair and give me new clothes and everything, because I took my hockey stick and my puck out there and fantasized that I was a Stanley Cup champion."

Jim holds teachers in high respect, especially one who saw through his antics and helped him focus his talents, "I did until I had one teacher that was so smart in the sixth grade, Lucy Dervadis. She knew because I would always finish my work first. I was really smart in school. And I would finish and then I would disturb everybody by being funny and doing disruptive things in class. And so, she had the brilliant idea of saying, "Jim, if you just sit there and be peaceful, be calm, don't bother anybody after you finish your work, I'll give you 15 minutes at the end of class to do whatever you want in front of the class." But, she came up with an idea. It's like such a clue into kids. Instead of giving them drugs for ADD, find an outlet. Find something to do with that, because it's just that they're special."

Don't miss Jim Carrey in "Mr. Popper's Penguins" this Friday, June 17th. Follow the film on Facebook and Twitter and make sure you use the hashtag #popperspenguins. More fun interviews to come, including a chat with Carla Gugino and legendary actress Angela Lansbury! In the meantime, check out this fun trailer!

Posted in: Role Mommy Movies, Role Mommy Recommends, Role Mommy TV & Film News, TV on 06/14/2011

The Help is on the Way!

Last summer, I read one of the best books ever written, "The Help," a #1 New York Times best-selling phenomenon that has now been turned into a movie. "The Help" stars Emma Stone ("Easy A") as Skeeter, Academy Award®-nominated Viola Davis ("Doubt") as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny--three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s, who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk.

"The Help" offers a provocative and inspiring look at what happens when a southern town's unspoken code of rules and behavior is shattered by three courageous women who strike up an unlikely friendship. From their improbable alliance, a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them, and the realization that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed--even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times.

Take a look at this featurette from the film which opens August 12 in theaters nationwide and if you haven't read The Help yet, then what are you waiting for?

Posted in: Role Mommy Recommends, Role Mommy TV & Film News, TV on 06/07/2011

John Rich Wins Celebrity Apprentice!

If you haven't watched the "Celebrity Apprentice" this season, then I have to tell you, head on over to Hulu, catch up on all the episodes you've missed and then come back and read this post.

There is something about the Apprentice that gets me thinking. I love seeing how incredibly bright celebrities come together to build brand and marketing campaigns for some of the biggest products around. For the finale, Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin faced off against country music superstar John Rich.

During the task, Meatloaf devised a 70's style commercial for 7Up, re-branded a retro can and managed to nab Jeremy Holder - the familiar voice from the 70's who used to utter the phrase "Mah-velous, simply Mah-velous." The commercial was unveiled at a seamless event that featured an amazing presentation by Marlee and a performance by the Harlem Globetrotters.

Fast forward to John Rich's team, who devised a branding campaign for an 80's 7Up can. The consensus was that John's Zebra can popped better than Marlee's retro disco ball can, but he still had to ace the event. And he did admit there were some hiccups. None of his team members met the 7Up team or Donald Trump upon their arrival and then, when John went to introduce the talent at the event, Def Leppard, he jumped the gun and called them to the stage 20 minutes earlier. Luckily, John saved the day when he jumped to the stage and began crooning until Def Leppard was ready to perform. While he had a few bumps at his event, John managed to do something amazing - raising an additional $275,000 for St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Even though the task wasn't a fundraiser, two donors stepped forward to support Rich's efforts.

Donald Trump then polled the former contestants to see who they believed should win the Apprentice and in true fashion, Star Jones turned on her former ally, Marlee and cast her vote for John Rich. Even Latoya, who was on Marlee's team, found herself voting for John. Thank goodness David Cassidy threw in a vote for Marlee, while Meatloaf stayed on the fence and Lil Jon went all out for John Rich.

Before the winner was announced, Marlee shared her experience bringing hearing aids to children in third world countries as part of the Starkey Hearing Foundation.
Next up, John Rich visited St. Jude's children's hospital and we heard him devote a song to the kids. It was so sad and inspiring at the same time. I have to say, there is nothing like a country music star who pours his heart into charity.

Marlee, John and the New York School for the Deaf then performed a brand new song, "For the Kids," an original song written by John Rich for the Celebrity Apprentice that's now available for download on iTunes.

In the second to last segment of the show, Marlee pled her case about how the Starkey Foundation is her life and John Rich countered that St. Jude's Children's Hospital saves lives. Plus, John shared how his body of work was far superior than Marlee's. Even Ivanka admitted that they had never had a closer Celebrity Apprentice and that Marlee and John were exceptional competitors.

Finally, it was time for the moment of truth...

Donald Trump: "Over the years I've had some tough decisions - you both have been amazing. Marlee, you raised more money than any person in a single night - I want to congratulate you. Really, amazing job. John, from the beginning you have been amazing - you're sharp, you're a leader."

Drum roll please....

The winner of Celebrity Apprentice 2011 is John Rich!!!

Posted in: Blog, Role Mommy TV & Film News on 05/22/2011

A Chat with Diary of a Wimpy Kid's Jeff Kinney

The author of the Wimpy Kid book series spends an afternoon sharing the inside scoop on his latest family film that will be hitting theaters this weekend.

When I received an invitation to attend "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2" movie junket, I have to say I was really excited. You see, my kids are huge "Wimpy Kid" fans, having read every single book Jeff Kinney has written. Plus, they've seen the first "Wimpy Kid" film and totally loved it. So when I told them I was going to get the chance to meet their favorite author in person, my kids made sure I was armed with several of their favorite books for him to autograph (he graciously signed every one of them complete with a drawing of Greg). Check out our group photo from the junket (Jeff is standing in the back row):

In this sequel to 2010's surprise hit, Greg Heffley, the kid who made "wimpy" cool is back in an all-new family comedy based on the best-selling follow-up novel by Jeff Kinney. (Kinney's Wimpy Kid" series has thus far sold 42 million books.) As he begins seventh grade, Greg and his older brother - and chief tormentor - Rodrick must deal with their parents' misguided attempts to have them bond.

After watching a sneak preview of the movie (which incidentally, is really enjoyable for kids and parents), I got the chance to join a group of my favorite parenting bloggers as we sat down for an interview with Jeff Kinney. What surprised me the most from our chat was how the Wimpy Kid book series came to life. Bet you didn't know that Jeff initially thought he was writing a book for adults and it took him nearly 10 years to write the first edition!

Take a look at our blogger Q&A from and find out more about this incredibly talented, humble and down to earth author, producer, online kids gaming expert (he created the site Poptropica.com) and dad:

Q&A with Jeff Kinney:

Question: What does it feel like to be the hero of every kid in the United States?
Jeff Kinney: That's funny. I think that they would be disappointed if they saw me in real life. I really didn't write these books for kids. I was trying to write one big fat book for adults. I worked on it for about eight years. And then, my publisher said that they thought that I'd written a children's series.

It was kind of a shock to my system, after working for that long. For the book to go out into the world as a kid's series, and for it to be successful has been, it feels like the Truman Show. Nothing feels real to me.

In fact, I remember when I was in college I interviewed Michael J. Fox at a press junket. I remember the feeling of being in the room. And there was an empty chair. I almost got sick thinking that Michael J. Fox was going to be sitting in that chair. Just when I walked in the room and saw an empty chair, I thought, "Oh, I'm sitting in that chair." That's how weird things have gotten for me.

Question: You said that originally you were just thinking of one book geared towards adults. What was the concept of that book?
Jeff Kinney: It was basically the same book, but I saw it through a different lens. I saw it as a nostalgic book. Something similar to "The Wonder Years" or "A Christmas Story," where there's an adult looking back on their childhood.

Question: How autobiographical are the books?
Jeff Kinney: That's a good question. I can't even tell myself anymore. There's definitely a lot of my own experience baked into these stories, but then it's been through the wash so many times that I can't even really remember what's true and what's not.

Then, you have screenwriters who are reinterpreting things a little bit. So, it's a real mix of fact and fiction.

Question: When you originally had the concept for the adult book and then it got changed to a kids' series, what did you change about it?
Jeff Kinney: That was the thing that surprised me the most is that I really didn't have to change almost anything. My sensibilities are very G rated anyway. I'm obsessed with not creating anything bad in the world. I'm shocked that I couldn't see that I was writing for children all along.

There's a great Steven Wright line where he says, "I wrote a children's book, but I didn't do it on purpose." And that's what happened to me, too.

Question: Do you have children?
Jeff Kinney: I do. I have a five-year old and an eight-year old.
Question: Boys or girls?
Jeff Kinney: Two boys. It's really fun because when I wrote these books, I was doing a lot of thinking on my own childhood and trying to remember what it felt like to be a kid. And now, I'm seeing childhood through their eyes. My life is very, very normal. The only time it's different is when I do something like this.

My normal life is just like anybody else's. I'm involved in the Cub Scouts. And I just ride my bike around the cul-de-sac and take my dog's poop samples into the vet to check for viruses and things like that. My life goes back and forth between really abnormal moments and normal moments.

Question: What do your kids think of the books and the movies?
Jeff Kinney: They like them. I think my five-year old was a little bit scared because there are some bully moments in that movie. They seem to get a kick out of it. Although we own the DVD of the first movie, I don't think that they have asked to put it in yet. I think they saw it enough, which was twice in two weeks. That was enough for them.

My kids get a kick out of all of this. They definitely don't take me too seriously or think of me as being different than any other parent. But then they get the perks, such as going to the Kids' Choice Awards and stuff like that. They enjoy that, too.

Question: Did they spend time on set at all? Did you?
Mr. Jeff Kinney: Yes, I did. I was there for about 25 of the 45 days filming in Vancouver.... It was hard to be away from my kids. They came out for one trip and got to spend a day on set this time. Last time, they spent about three days on set. I went on a big bus tour with the actors in the south this fall. My kids came along for part of that, too.

They have gotten to see a different side of life, and it's fun. It's neat to think how that might be broadening their horizons.

Question: Did you work at all with them (producers) on casting?
Jeff Kinney: Yes, in the first movie I gave a lot of input on the principal actors. Greg in particular was very difficult to find because we had to find a kid who could be a bit of a jerk but was also likeable, and that was hard to do. I think that Zach Gordon was up for the task. Rowley was easy. We found Robert and he was in.

And Rodrick was a real find as well. He was not a big character in the first movie and he really needed to carry big parts of the second movie. I feel that he brought something to that character that's not in the character in the books. He did a great job.

Question: You're originally a writer. So, how was it being an executive producer? Did you enjoy that aspect of going from book to film?
Jeff Kinney: I did. I think I sort of jumped in with both feet. Most authors, they hand off their work, cross their fingers, and show up for the premiere. But, I really wanted to be involved and have as much influence as I could. Fox was very welcoming of me in the process. I was there from the very earliest conversations all the way through the making of the movie and then the post-production, even marketing.

It's a privilege actually to even be here talking about the movie and trying to promote it because that's not something that authors usually get to do. It's been edifying. You have complicated emotions seeing your work changed and brought to life on screen. It's been a very good experience for me.

More great insights from Jeff Kinney and the kids who star in the latest film to come. For now, check out the trailer and get ready to take your family to Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2 when it opens nationwide Friday, March 25. Follow Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2 on Facebook or Twitter and make sure you use the hashtag #wimpykid2.

Posted in: Role Mommy Movies, Role Mommy Recommends, Role Mommy TV & Film News, TV on 03/23/2011

Meet the Littlest Fockers

Shari Von Holten at HaveUHeard sits down with the youngest stars of "Little Fockers"

After seeing "Little Fockers" and having quite a few laughs, I had the opportunity to meet the two youngest cast members, the Little Fockers themselves, Colin Baiocchi and Daisy Tahan.

Colin was very outgoing and a typical 7 year old boy, talking a mile a minute and very animated, while Daisy was a bit more on the reserved side and happy when she could sneak a word in when Colin wasn't answering the bloggers questions.

Both Daisy and Colin loved working on the movie but for different reasons - Daisy enjoyed the craft services (the food), traveling and meeting new people while Colin enjoyed the stunts and special effects. Colin had a stunt double for "Little Fockers" but he did get to fly around on the harness like Superman - a young boy's dream come true.

Both Colin and Daisy are in agreement about their favorite person on the set. It seems Teri Polo did a great job of entertaining them with her impression of Elmo and as a result, has her own personal fan club.

Below you will find part of the interview where you'll find out what Colin and Daisy want for Christmas, their favorite holiday traditions and more!!

Question: Do you want to be an actor when you grow up? Is there anything else you want to be?
Colin Baiocchi: Yes. I still want to be this and I want to be a bunch of other things. I want to do this martial arts tae kwon do. I want to be a black belt really badly.
Daisy Tahan: I definitely still want to be an actress when I grow up. But, I want to be so many other things. I want to be an animal trainer. I want to be a chef. I want to be an artist. I want to own an animal shelter and be a teacher.

Question: What is your favorite holiday tradition? What do you like to do this time of year?
Colin Baiocchi: I really like Christmas.
Daisy Tahan: Yes. With Christmas, I usually bring my pets out under the tree and they all lie down. I have these little teeny stockings and I hang them up for them. And Santa always brings them presents under the tree and in their stockings.

Question: What's on your Christmas list this year?
Colin Baiocchi: I really want these things called Bionicles. They're kind of like Lego's. I want these things, Ben 10 Lego's. Ben 10 is this boy who has an Omnitrix and he gets transformed into 10 aliens. And they make Lego figures of him and his aliens. And I really want this guy Jetray. He can fly and breathe underwater, 10--seven times the speed of sound. There are lasers from his eyes, and lasers from his tail. And that's why I want it.
Daisy Tahan: I want a mini Vespa.

Question: What pets do you have?
Daisy Tahan: I got a bunny at first. And then, that bunny, he found a wife and she had babies. And then, I bought one of the babies. And then, after I got that bunny, I got a hamster. And then, I got a dog, a Marcie, a Maltese-Yorkie mix.

Question: What was it like working with a lizard on set?
Colin Baiocchi: It was really fun. They had three different lizards. They had two real live lizards that both Daisy and I got to hold. And then, they had a fake lizard, Stiffy, who was stuffed up. But, sometimes when they said, "Cut," I would wave his little hand because you can position him. It gets a little too funny if you do this.

Question: What advice would you give to other kids who might want to go into acting?
Colin Baiocchi: I would really say just don't be shy to meet new people and always try your best.
Daisy Tahan: I would say always be nice to the people on the set and just do great.

Question: Did you guys take any acting lessons before you became actors?
Colin Baiocchi: No. I started commercials when I was two. I got a lot of commercials. But, sometimes I'll get movies and I'll play a younger kid since I'm so small. I got "Couples Retreat" and then I got "Little Fockers."

Question: How have each of you found it working on the films and having to keep up with your schoolwork? Is it hard?
Daisy Tahan: No, not really, because when you leave for a film that you're doing, usually the teachers give you the homework that you have to do that they're going to be doing in the future while we're away. And then, when you go back to school you're all caught up.
Colin Baiocchi: Yes, because I was really ahead of math lessons when I was in first grade. Every time they went to math, I was just reading a book because I already did it.

Question: What kind of books do you like to read?
Colin Baiocchi: I really like to read chapter books. I really like fantasy chapter books that have a lot of funny stuff. I like Harry Potter, and I really like learning about animals. I like learning about sharks and dinosaurs. I like history.
Ms. Daisy Tahan: I like books about animals that talk usually. I don't really have a specific book. But, I'm in the middle of "Charlotte's Web" right now and it's really good.

Question: What's your least favorite thing about doing movies? Is there anything you just don't like?
Daisy Tahan: Well, sometimes it gets frustrating to keep doing the same thing over and over.
Colin Baiocchi: Yeah.
Daisy Tahan: If it's a scene that you're playing with toys and it's the first shot, you can play whatever you want. But, then when they cut and go again, you have to play the exact same thing over and over and over again.

(Hugging Barbra Streisand over and over again can't be half bad!)

Questions: Have you had any times when people have recognized you?
Colin Baiocchi: Sometimes at school. I was walking down to parent pickup and this girl, she totally recognized me. I said, "Uh-oh." And she wanted my picture. I'm said, "Yeesh." I just started running. I said, "Oh, no."
Daisy Tahan: Well, sometimes people come up and they say, "Hey, what do I know you from?" And I say, "I don't know." And sometimes people in the hallway at school say, "Hi, Daisy". And I think, "I don't really know you." I don't know how they really know me.

Question: What do your friends think about you guys being in the movies?
Daisy Tahan: Well, usually my friends don't talk about it. But if I'm in the middle of shooting a movie or I just booked it or I just finished it, sometimes I feel like they're interviewing me because they ask, "So, how do you like acting?" And I say, "It's pretty good." But, usually they don't do that.
Colin Baiocchi: Everybody at my school, they basically know me. Everyone in my class knows me.

Question: So, how do you feel being in this grown-up movie that maybe your friends aren't going to see? And I don't know if you get to see the whole movie finished as opposed to maybe doing a movie more for kids?
Colin Baiocchi: I'm really happy that I finally got the movie done out of all that hard work. And I'm just glad it turned out great.
Daisy Tahan: Me too.

Question: What's your favorite movie?
Colin: Definitely anything that has fighting in it.
Daisy Tahan: Anything that's animated that has animals in it.
Colin Baiocchi: "Madagascar."
Daisy Tahan: But, I really just like animated movies. The ones that are most recent that I loved was probably "Tangled."

Question: How was it working with each other on the set? Do you have fun?
Colin Baiocchi: Yep.
Daisy Tahan: Yeah.

Question: What did you do to keep it fun?
Colin Baiocchi: During cuts and takes, we would play with each other.
Daisy Tahan: Yeah, we would take our toys really quickly and start playing.

Question: Was it just one cat Jinxy, or where there a couple?
Daisy Tahan: Two.
Daisy Tahan: One was named Charlie. And one was, I think, maybe actually Jinxy. I don't know.
Colin Baiocchi: What would be really funny if Beatrice, Daisy's hamster, went up to Jinx, both the Jinxy's, and asked, "Can I have your autographs?" But, then there's a note, "P.S., I'm going to eat you right now."

Question: Do you have any movies coming up?
Colin Baiocchi: We don't have any more, but I'm going to want to be in a spy movie.
Daisy Tahan: Oh, I've always wanted to be in an animated movie.
Colin Baiocchi: Because if I was in a spy movie, I would like to use a machine Nerf gun and fire a suction cup dart with a cable over a wall, climb it up, "Say hello to my little friend."

Visit the Little Fockers website to watch previews and find out where the film is playing in your hometown.

Posted in: Events, Role Mommy TV & Film News, TV on 12/25/2010

Blythe Danner Chats with Role Mommy

Guest contributor Shari Von Holten at HaveUHeard shares an interview with the veteran actress and star of "Little Fockers"

I had the opportunity to see the movie "Little Fockers" and interview some of the cast from the movie including Blythe Danner. Blythe Danner has appeared in "Meet the Parents," "Meet the Fockers" and the third in the series "Little Fockers." When asked how great it was working with the cast again, Blythe revealed, "It's like coming back to a security blanket. It's wonderful because we've had three now. And coming back in, you don't have to second guess or even guess to begin with how people work because you know..........to hear that they were doing a third, I was thrilled."

Blythe gave an inside peek at one of my favorite actors of all time, Robert DeNiro, by telling us that "Bob (Robert De Niro) is so funny. When he laughs he shakes. So, we had a lot of fun with that one. He kept laughing and having a very good time."
Blythe spoke about her career, her daughter, Gwyneth Paltrow, parenting and what it is like being a grandmother.

Here are some of the highlights from the interview:
Question: Is it challenging to go from sequel to sequel and have to change your character?
Blythe: We've had the same writers ever since the beginning and they know what we sound like. They have us in their ear and they know how to progress with our characters.

And I think it's wonderful. It was kind of fun for me that Barbara (Streisand) brought and sowed the seed of trying to play act. You loosen up a bit, because she's very proper.

Question: What is one of the most memorable things that you've done?
Blythe Danner: Oh, I love the stage. I love the things I've done on the stage with my daughter. We've done Chekhov. We were just talking a little bit ago about Chekhov. We did "The Seagull" with Chris Walken.

We used to go up to Williamstown every summer when they were growing up because it was a wonderful way to get out of Los Angeles. My husband (Bruce Paltrow) was doing a series then, "The White Shadow" and then "St. Elsewhere", before your time.
They rerun some of them on some of the cable stations. But, I'd always loved to get back to the theater back here. I love all the classics and the films I guess like one you haven't seen probably, "The Great Santini" with Robert Duvall. And I love the "Will and Graces," I love the comedy. It was great fun.

Question: The grandparents in this movie are very over involved and kind of right in there. Do you struggle with that, being a grandma?
Blythe Danner: No, I think you have to really choose. You have to be careful what you say. And I do that because I want to be around as much as I can be.
So, if my opinion is offered I give it, but other than that, I don't, because I've tried. I watch my daughter (Gwyneth Paltrow) who is just such an extraordinary mother who has much more patience than I ever did.

She's just so good with her kids. They'll be on airplanes from London to here. They get off the plane and they always compliment her because she speaks to them, I've never heard her dismiss them. If one of them has a problem or somebody's losing it she'll go into a corner and then really talk to them there. And they're very, very rational.
She's been great with them. I'm so proud of her and them because I wasn't that good. And my son's pretty great, too. He just got married, so I'm hoping there'll be more grandkids coming along.

We did a lot of silly stuff, my grandson actually said to me the last time, he said, "But Lalo, you're very silly."

Question: What do they call you?
Blythe Danner: Lalo. Apps (Apple) came up with that. She just said one day, "Who am I?" because I had all these for ideas names. I didn't really want to be Nana or Grandma. We'd had funny nicknames in our family, and so I was dropping some of these names, and she kept going um-umm. And then, I said, "Well, who am I?" And she thought a minute and she said, "Lalo." And she laughed and laughed and laughed. I guess she thought it was funny. About an hour later, I said, "Who am I?" She said, "Lalo." So, that stuck.

Question: We see so many actresses today that are train wrecks. Do you attribute your parenting? Your kids are okay and they're in the business. What did you do different?

Blythe Danner: Well, I don't know that we did anything different. A lot of those kids started very early. We were real strict about them not starting until they were older. My son is a writer/director, but with Gwyneth who had wanted to act, people would come out and say, "Couldn't she do this?" I would say, "Absolutely not" because I'd worked with so many children actors. So, I think lives were ruined.
These two kids (Daisy Tahan and Colon Baiocchi) are terrific and I think they're very grounded. Little Colin is hilarious.

Blythe continued talking speaking child actors:
"I don't like the idea of the rejection. There was one little boy that I was on something with and he was fired. And he was just devastated. I thought I wouldn't put my kids through that. You don't know what's going to happen when you sign up to do something. Their egos are too fragile. And Bruce and I were very happily married and I wanted to get away from Los Angeles, because I think it is a sort of a hotbed of unreality out there. My husband was very generous in letting me come back to New York a lot. We moved back here for junior high and high school. Even though New York can be just as nutty as L.A., it's just different."

Blogger: It's more real?
Blythe Danner: Yes, and my kids tutored other little kids uptown and I always thought that was really important, because I think it's important that community service breaks the isolation of adolescence. I know there was a time when people were saying, no, no, no, they shouldn't be made to do community service. But, now it seems as if the kids really want to.

I was just in New Orleans making a film and I did some teaching over at NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. My husband went to Tulane where we both had taught a little bit, just a class here and there, and they have 45,000 people now applying, whereas they had like 18,000 a few years ago.
Since Katrina, kids really want to do more community service. I think it's really a good thing to do.
So, I think all of that's important. Filling the house with music is also wonderful, whether there's talent or not, just to have the liberation of freedom and being able to encourage them too to play, to join.

My son didn't want to join this one choral group and I kind of insisted, and he was happy. They can get stuff out.

Question: What sort of things do you like to do with your grandkids when they visit you here in New York?
Blythe Danner: I still have pinecones and buttons from them. When they would come to visit me at the apartment, I didn't have toys. So, I'd have a hammer and nails and stuff. They love it.

Question: The parents probably don't let them use hammer and nails??
Blythe Danner: I'm just guiding them. I ran out of things with Apple to do one day and I had some old nails and wood and I actually was banging on them. But, a lot of imaginative play, oh, my gosh, they can go on forever with one idea just for hours and hours and hours, such as playing school or playing hide and seek and all of that stuff. I love all that. Keep them away from the video stuff as long as you can. I don't know how you keep them away from it.

More interviews to come! For now, check out the Little Fockers You Tube channel or visit the Little Fockers website to find out where you can see the film this holiday season!

Posted in: Blog, Extraordinary Rolemommy, Role Mommy Recommends, Role Mommy TV & Film News on 12/23/2010

Jason Segel Interview: The Tallest Lilliputian in "Gulliver's Travels"

My Second Date with Jason Segal by Role Mommy West Coast Correspondent Kristin Flannery...

When meeting Jason Segel during a press junket for "Gulliver's Travels," I was struck by the fact that he is really, really tall. You see, in "Gulliver's Travels" he plays a little person. Actually, he's the biggest little person in Lilliput, an island populated by tiny people. When Gulliver (Jack Black) travels through an "inter-dimensional portal," he winds up in an alternate world that has juxtaposed modern-day and old-school sensibilities. There, he befriends Horatio (Jason Segel), a commoner with a BIG crush on Princess Mary (Emily Blunt).

Jason says that size has always played an important role in his life, "I was six four since I was 12. The kids didn't really like me that much. I was very shy. Very, very, very shy. And my parents sent me to the local, community theater to take acting class just to help get me out of my shell."

Jason says that as he matured, he grew into his height. "I also became a pretty good athlete during high school and I won a couple state championships in basketball." Luckily, his love of acting never waned. "In junior year of high school, I wanted to try to put on a play again," he says. As fate would have it, that's when Jason was discovered by a Hollywood casting director who just happened to be taking a tour of his high school.

Segal says that being a tall person playing a little person was not too much of a challenge in "Gulliver's Travels" because the producers used a groundbreaking camera known as the DualMoCo (the "MoCo" is for motion control). While Black was in one area of the soundstage, performing against a green screen, the actors portraying the Lilliputians would be on another part of the stage, acting "opposite" Black.

When asked how hard was it to be a little person, since he's so tall in real life, Jason replied, "See, I viewed it the opposite. We were normal size, and Jack was huge. That's how I always viewed it because we were to scale of all the buildings around us. We were just acting regular. Jack did most of the green screen."

And just so you know ladies, Jason Segel is as charming as he is tall! I was lucky enough to meet him twice and look forward to being asked to more of his press junkets in 2011. He is the type of guy who is charming and sincere and you feel like you can tell him anything. Which doesn't always work in his favor as Jason revealed. "I had a dialect coach and I have to say it was really awkward. The lady was really nice. But, at one point she said, "I think we've done enough of the elocution lessons. Why don't you and I just sit and we'll have lunch, and we'll just talk in English accents. And so, we go and we show up for lunch, and we're talking. And then, the talk starts to get real serious and she starts telling me about her divorce and how she doesn't get to see her kid as much as she would like. And she's crying." I don't know about you, but I think there's a talk show in Jason's future.

You can hear more of the adorable Jason Segel's interview by clicking here and look for him in "Gulliver's Travels" coming out Christmas Day - December 25th!