Your Entertainment Ticket.net

Reviewing The Dark Knight.

Interview with Olga Kurylenko, Actress Quantum of Solace

By John Delia

Ever chat with a beautiful woman and get tongue-tied? Well, I almost did when I interviewed the newest James Bond Girl in Miami. Her role is that of a tough cookie in Quantum of Solace, however the conversation I had with her was nice and easy.
Although she may be known in the future as one of the Bond Girls, Olga had already made a name for herself in Hollywood with some very high profile films. She played in the high energy films Hit Man with Timothy Olyphant and as the hot siren Natasha opposite Mark Wahlberg in Max Payne. Those two quick hits put her in front of millions of moviegoers, but I predict she will be on top of the world when Quantum of Solace hits the screen.
Quantum of Solace finds James Bond (Daniel Craig) back in action exactly where he left off in Casino Royale. His new mission has him moving from one country to the next in pursuit of Dominic Green the ruthless head of an organization called Quantum. His trek leads him to South America, where with his newest bond girl Camille (Olga), he corners the mysterious man who’s trying to get power over a small country.

Your Entertainment Ticket: You have chosen some very good sexy characters in past films you were in. What was your motivation to play a tough Bond Girl and how did you prepare for it?
Olga: “Everything about the role made me want to play it. The role was just so exciting to me, because I had so much to learn. I had to go through so much transformation for my part, that I think it’s the movie that I had to make the biggest change. I am not even talking about all the fight training I had to do and learning to sky dive and working with guns, all of which I have never done before. Learning to adopt a different accent and being a person from a different country, getting a tan and physically trying to look like a Latina, and everything, was a lot of work. I was a different person than I am in my real life, so I had to get into a different skin.”

YET: But weren’t you a tough person in your other films?
O: “I haven’t been very rough in any of the other movies except this one. This is the first one where I am a fighter because in Hitman and Max Payne I am just a girl. So this is the first experience where I was involved in action scenes. Now I don’t want to do just that, but this was amazing because it was the first time. Anything that’s new to me is amazing.”

YET: Tell us about your character. What was Camille like? Did you do some of your stunts?
O: “Kicking a guys butt does feel good especially when I am fighting this big guy Medrano. I mean my character Camille was very well prepared and obviously went through a lot of training. It is possible to be a woman like that, but it is very rare. You have to have a strong background and that is obviously where she is coming from. ”



YET: Now that you have described your character, what was the most difficult part of your role?
O: “The most difficult part was getting all the stunt things right. It was all very precise and very technical and I had to train very hard for it. Even little thing like punches that look easy on the screen was still very difficult to do. It is not like fighting in real life, as you have to also make it look good in front of the camera. That is why stunt guys are stunt guys because they know how to do it on camera. It has to be much faster because the camera catches everything. You need to do it precisely and that is why we trained for six months and then you see it on screen and it is thirty seconds, but it took so much work. That was something new for me apart from the acting. I had to suddenly become a stunt woman too. It was like a different job. I had some bruises and cuts, but that was to be expected.”

YET: Do you think the audience will like the film and your character Quantum of Solace?
O: “I think this movie will please all kinds of people. It is made for a very big audience and I hope they enjoy it. The people I have met who have seen the movie at a screening have been so happy that I am portraying this different strong woman. I think women are very satisfied to see this woman who can kick ass. I am glad for women like her. It is very important.”

YET: Were there any fun experiences you can relate that happened on the set?
O: “We had fun making the movie. Even when we were fighting with the stunt guys we were always joking amongst ourselves. We spent six months together so I can’t come up with anything specific. We just had a really good time because the people were so nice.”

YET: What was it like working with Daniel Craig?
O: “Working with Daniel Craig was good. He is a wonderful actor. He is a good inspiration because you see this actor who works so much and is so focused on his role. I have never seen anyone so focused. He worked on his role everyday, all the time. He does many of the stunts himself so he sets the bar really high. You want to keep yourself at his level. He is a good example so it made me work even harder too. Everybody is so involved it makes you want to be involved that much more. When I came on board, I already wanted to be involved because it was exciting, but when you see these people working it inspires you even more.”

YET: How did you get the part of Camille in Quantum of Solace?
O: “The audition process was different in that it was long. For this movie I went through three tours, three different auditions and each time I got a call back the circle was smaller and smaller. At the end I was very happy when I found out I got it. The casting process was intense because this movie was so big. It is not like any other movie. This was Bond, the biggest movie of the year. You feel tense. It is a big competition to go through. I knew there were a number of people all around the world going for it so in the beginning you think what is your chances when there are so many people from around the world. It is kind of unbelievable.”

YET: There are many Bond Girls over the years of making 007 series. Do you have a favorite Bond Girl?
O: “I don’t have any favorite Bond girls. They are all been different and great. Some have been less interesting as a character as they were just there for eye candy but the last one I thought was a beautiful character in Casino Royale. She was smart and independent.”

YET: You were born in Russia in the late 70’s. What was it like growing up during that time and what is it like now?
O: “In the Ukraine today people are doing slightly better as they have more opportunities. My situation changed so I am helping my family, but there are still people who struggle and have no money. If you keep working and you study and get an education there are jobs. Before there was nothing, no matter what you tried there were no opportunities. You know what I mean? Now there are professions that can allow you to earn, but still there are many that are underpaid. The most important professions like doctors and teachers are always underpaid. The people who make us who we are and the people who save our lives, are the ones that are the most underpaid. It is not fair, but that is life. Life is very unfair. It makes no sense.”

Interview with Daniel Craig, Actor Quantum of Solace

By John Delia

Daniel Craig was in Miami recently and with his newest Bond film Quantum of Solace opening, he was eager to do interviews. First of all, the man does not seem to break character in real life. He’s in command, even in an interview, which blew me away with his strong commitment to the film and his frank answers to my questions.
Craig debut in film came with Power of One in which he played the small role of Sgt. Botha. In 2001 he played opposite Angelina Jolie in Laura Croft: Tomb Raider and a year later in Road to Perdition as Conner Rooney opposite Paul Newman. In 2004 Craig got the starring role in Layer Cake, a crime drama in which he plays a gangster. Since that time he has been on the big screen steadily showing his diverse acting ability in The Jacket, Sorstalanság, Munich, Infamous, Casino Royale, The Invasion, The golden Compass and Defiance. With Quantum of Solace it marks Craig’s 51st appearances that includes film, TV, video and video games.
Quantum of Solace finds James Bond (Craig) back in action exactly where he left off in Casino Royale. His new mission has him moving from one country to the next in pursuit of Dominic Green the ruthless head of an organization called Quantum. His trek leads him to South America where with his newest bond girl Camille (Olga Kurylenko) he corners the mysterious man who’s trying to get power over a small country.

Your Entertainment Ticket: I understand you have signed up for at least two more Bond films. Your Casino Royale made nearly 600 million worldwide. Where do you see the franchise heading?

Craig: “Yes, I signed for four and this is number two. We are nearly there. Nearly over. What we are trying to achieve with the second movie is to make a solid base. One of the biggest things is you’ve got to live up to the expectations that everybody expects from a Bond movie. Everyone expects the ‘Bondisms’, for lack of a better word. They all expect the martinis and the characters Q and M and all those people and I think we need to earn all those things. You can’t just plunk them straight into a movie and expect them to work. I don’t think they work as well as they use to. So what this has been about is the earning of all those things. So as far as I am concerned we’ve done that so we can do whatever we want now. We can introduce Q back in or we can introduce Moneypenny or we can introduce the submarine base if we need to. We are there. We’ve got to that point and I am very excited about doing another movie.”

YET: Do you have any input into the scripts of this or future Bond films?
C: “I actually have input on the script. I have been involved with this script from the beginning of its conception just because I am like that.”

YET: Do you consider yourself a sex symbol?
C: “I actually don’t think about those things (sex symbol issues). We make the sexiest, most beautiful best Bonds we can and if they appeal, they appeal and if they do that’s great.”

YET: Were you a Bond fan growing up and are you one now that you are portraying him as an edgier character?
C: “Yes, I was a Bond fan. I love the fact that he is edgier now but I always thought he was a bit edgy. I take most of my cues from the older movies like From Russia with Love and Doctor No. I think they were very edgy and I think what Sean Connery did was develop an incredibly strong character from the Ian Fleming novels, but he made him into a very edgy man. I would never ever copy what has been done. All of the Bonds have done wonderful jobs. I just put my take, my attitude towards it. I’ve read all the books, done the research and I am a Bond fan and so that is what I aim to put into the character.”

YET: Can you define your Bond and are there some things you still want to change?
C: “(laughing) I have not found a favorite way to catch villains yet, but when I do I will let you know. Bond is a double 0 because he is an assassin. That is how he makes his living. I would like to think we will strike a balance one of these days between lover and killer with Bond.”

YET: How physical is it to play Bond?
C: “The physicality of the character has been the hardest. There was a lot to do but it is very satisfying as I am working with some of the best people in the business. We are pushing each other to try and improve on what we did in Casino Royale. I think we’ve topped it, which was pretty difficult.”

YET: In the film Bond is doing a lot of difficult jumps and falls while chasing or fleeing the bad guys. So why did you take a chance on getting hurt by doing your own stunts?
C: “I think it’s just a tradition. There is a tradition, an old Hollywood tradition about Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd, I am a huge fan of those people. When they did their scenes, there was no camera cuts, no special effects, that was them, up the tower or the house falling, and I think it sort of goes…There is something within me that goes ‘Do it, do it! And you make it as safe and you make it as exciting as possible.”

YET: What were some of the most difficult stunts you had to do?
C: “I think the fall into the art gallery. The ropes were really tough (In a scene in Quantum of Solace Bond has to drop crashing through a skylight into an art gallery). There are two doubles. I have an acrobat and a gymnast who do a lot of that stuff but I was hanging up there quite a lot and it’s very tough.”

YET: How was it working with Director Marc Forster (Monster’s Ball, The Kite Runner)?
C: “The biggest thrill I get out of this job is working with the people I do. The chance to work with Marc Forster was always a dream because I’ve admired him as a director. If you had told me three years ago that he was going to direct a Bond movie I would have told you that you were silly, but actually it has worked out so well.”

YET: What scenes are on the cutting room floor that you thought should stay in the film?
C: “I got over that a long time ago as an actor so there are none on the cutting room floor that bother me. You have to really get over that because the amount of times you go and watch a performance or movie you’ve done and you go hey where has it gone but once you finish a movie you have to hand it over to the director because he is the one who has the overview. He is the one actually telling the story. I honesty look at the movie and can’t remember the other stuff we did. I just wait until the DVD extras and say oh I had forgotten we did that because it is just gone from my memory. If I trust the director I accept his choices and I accept his cuts. This movie is very fast and very punchy so there is probably tons of stuff that I’ve forgotten about.”

YET: The movie was shot in many countries. Was there any one place that was best and will remember the most?
C: “I loved shooting in Colon, Panama. We were there a very long time so we got to know the place very well. It is a very deprived place Colon and it’s got this art deco city that is poor and on the other side of the Panama Canal you’ve got this amazing Caribbean coastline. It is just insane, but the warmth of the people was great. They just sort of dragged us in and looked after us and took care of us. That is one of my most memorable. Every place was memorable but that one is the one that will live in my heart I think.”

YET: Olga Kurylenko plays opposite you in the film. What was it like working with this new Bond girl?
C: “Olga has done just a wonderful job. She is not the classic Bond girl. She plays a very strong character that is on a vendetta. Bond’s journey is about something else and Olga just brings this strength and beauty to the role. I think they complement each other very well. She is the one on a vendetta. Everybody thinks Bond is on a vendetta, but he really isn’t. He is just a loose cannon.”

FT. LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST- Mini Reviews
(www.fliff.com)
By John Delia

The following are quick reviews and descriptions of some of the films playing at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival in the coming weeks. Please consult HYPERLINK "http://WWW.FLIFF.COM" WWW.FLIFF.COM for more information as to prices, locations and time of screenings.

KASSIM THE DREAM
Directed By: Kief Davidson
One of the most shattering documentaries at this year's FLIFF, Kassim the Dream brings viewers into the world of Ugandan-born boxer Kassim Ouma, the 29-year-old former Int'l Boxing Federation light-middleweight champion, and his struggle with his deadly past. Abducted from school at the age of 6 and forced to become a child soldier, Ouma fought in the National Resistance Army during Uganda's harrowing “bush war” in the 80's, engaging in brutal acts that still haunt him to this day. Later, he discovered boxing and fled for the U.S. to try his hand at going pro. Since then, under the tutelage of his manager Tom Moran (whom he affectionately calls “Uncle Tom”), Ouma has become not only a renowned athlete but also an outspoken advocate for African issues.
FINAL ANALYSIS: The amazing cinematography and heartfelt story are worth a look. (4 of 5 stars) Runs October 29

CAIO BELLA
Directed By: Mani Masserat-Aghat
Mustafa, a Swede of Iranian descent is sixteen years old and his most intense wish is to lose his virginity. But all the girls at home in Gothenburg's middle class suburbia seem to think of him as a kind and considerate “nice enough Turk” and “just a friend” and prospects look bad… until the day he accidentally stumbles upon the opportunity of a lifetime. When Mustafa travels to Gothenburg's summer youth soccer tournament with his high school team, a clever series of events results in him playing on the Italian side. The confident, attractive Italians attract gaggles of gorgeous Swedish girls. Renamed Massimo by teammate Enrico, Mustafa is transformed into a Latin lover.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Well acted, the coming of age storyline makes the film enjoyable to watch. (3.5 of 5 stars) October 29 and October 30

OCEAN
Directed By: Mikhail Kosyrev – Nesterov
At a small fishing village on the shores of Cuba Joel, the oldest brother in the traditional fisherman family is deeply in love with Marisel. By chance, Joel learns that his fiancé got married to someone her family prefers. Heartbroken he moves to Havana. Full of hope to find a new life, he is impatient to try his luck in the big city, only to discover more betrayals and disappointments. Tragic confrontation leads to Joel's fall from the grace bringing even more drama into his young life.
FINAL ANALYSIS: This Russian made Cuban film is both heartfelt and tragic. It reminded me of the exasperation exhibited in City of God. (3 of 5 stars) October 29 and October 30

CAPERS
Directed By: Julian Mark Kheel
Three teams of criminals share the same Brooklyn block, but each exists in a separate genre of film. The Amateurs are trapped in a 1970's anti-hero movie. The Sputniks live in black and white. The Moolies can't escape their rap video life. But they all share a hatred of Connie, a racist local pawn shop owner and mafia widow. So when Connie has a heart attack, each team decides it's time to find out what's inside her legendary safe. Unfortunately they all plan their big score for the same night...
FINAL ANALYSIS: My pick for best comedy in the festival. Capers pulls out all the stops for laughs and chaos. (5 of 5 stars) November 1

LOST EVERYTHING
Directed By: Kim St. Leon
A closeted movie star arrives in Miami, and immediately begins a steamy love affair with a hot South Beach bartender. His manager tries to “protect” his image by running interference against the reporter hell-bent on outing her client. A happy gay couple faces a televangelist, as a tormented hit man observes them from afar. A glammed-up Diva Crime-boss, and a hooker with a heart of gold complete this multi plot line thriller. As the storylines begin to cross and spiral out of control, lives begin to unravel and sizzle in the scorching, South Florida sun. Lost Everything is a controversial, multi-plot line thriller that takes you on a ninety minute roller coaster ride of celebrity outing, deception, and undying love against all odds. Some people will do anything… to keep the things they have.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Probably the most intriguing and thought provoking film in the festival. (4 of 5 stars) November 1

TERROR INSIDE
Directed By Jozef Lenders
A well driller unearths a strange substance that changes the lives of everyone in the small town of Montverde. Townsfolk are unaware as they are exposed to the primordial virus. The illness alters each victim's deepest instincts for survival and reverses their sense of pain and pleasure. Fear takes hold, as love becomes hate with bloody consequences. As university researchers fall ill an opportunity for profiteers brings more danger to the small town. A handful of survivors must fight more than just the disease to stay alive.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Slips in directing, a weak gory storyline and amateur acting, make the film hard to watch. (1 of 5 stars) November 2

SATELLITES & METEORITES
Directed By: Rick Larkin
A quirky love story set in the subconscious imagination of two coma patients after a car accident in which they were both involved. Having never met prior to the accident, Daniel and Lucinda literally have a meeting of minds as they start down the windy road of romance, however, when the hospital where they both lie asleep tries to wake them up, they have to fight to stay in their dream, and to stay together.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A different kind of love story with a heavenly twist. (3.5 of 5 stars) November 3

TAOS
Directed By: Brandon Schmid
John works round-the-clock as a corporate attorney in a large Washington D.C. law firm, trading his nights and weekends for extra cash and the promise of a secure future. Lyndsey, John's girlfriend, wants more. She's blue-blood, well-bred and has plans for John as soon as he accepts a job with her father's bank. On his way to Aspen for her family's Christmas holidays, John's car breaks down alongside a lonely highway in northern New Mexico. Stranded in Taos for repairs, old wounds surface and new perspectives emerge as John gets caught up in the events of the mystical town. Lost in the high mesa of the desert southwest – where life finds its balance – John must decide if dreams can truly become reality.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Although a good plot with fair acting, the film seems to play out in slow motion. (2 of 5 stars) November 5

PLAY THE GAME
Directed By: Mark Fienberg
A ladies' man, David (Paul Campbell), teaches his dating tricks to his lonely, widowed grandfather Joe (Andy Griffith). But as David's games begin to fail him, Grandpa quickly transforms into the Don Juan of the retirement community. Slowly, the teacher becomes the student, and it's up to Grandpa to teach David that the best way to win the game of love is not to play games at all. But both David and Grandpa may have met their match in more ways than one…
Andy Griffith and Paul Campbell have great chemistry and look like they had a lot of fun making the film.
FINAL ANALYSIS: The festival saves a great one for the final week with this touching comedy. Andy Griffith still has it with a heart-warming performance at 82 years of age. (4.5 of 5) November 5 and November 6

I DO AND I DON’T
Directed By: Steve Blair
Three weeks before their wedding, Bob and Cheryl discover they have not taken the pre-marital classes required by their Catholic church. Their pastor arranges private classes for them with the Stelmacks, a couple whose seventeen-year marriage is the definition of dysfunctional lunacy. Unfortunately the Stelmacks are determined to enlighten them, and encourage indiscriminate “sharing.” As the wedding approaches, Bob and Cheryl's emotional and physical scars accumulate.
FINAL ANALYSIS: The funny little romantic comedy shows well on the big screen. I loved all the screw-ups by the groom. (3.5 of 5 stars) November 7 and November 8

FLING
Directed By: John Stewart Muller
By all appearances, Samantha and Mason are the picture perfect couple: young, attractive, successful and madly in love. At her sister's idyllic spring wedding, Samantha finds herself irresistibly drawn back into the arms of her dashing ex-boyfriend. Meanwhile, Mason barely thwarts the flirtatious advances of his best friend's 18-year-old sister. But when Samantha confesses her affair, Mason's reaction is not quite what you would expect. So begins "Fling", a lively, sexy and provocative exploration of young adults navigating the hazards of an open relationship.
FINAL ANALYSIS: This modern love story has a great plot, wonderful actors and a 90’s romantically tragic ending. (4 of 5 stars) November 7


THE MAP READER
Directed By: Harold Brodie
Sixteen-year-old Michael escapes the realities of his small-town New Zealand life by immersing himself within a world of maps. Yet his seemingly happy isolation is broken by the serendipitous arrival of two young women into his life. Mary is twenty and blind from birth, on the verge of voyaging into the world on her own. Alison is Michael's peer, whose grace betrays darker secrets. Suspended beside it all is Michael's single mother Amelia, who cherishes her son, while simultaneously pushing him away.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A charming coming of age film that has excellent acting and direction. (4 of 5 stars) November 8

STRENGTH AND HONOR
Directed By: Mark Mahon
The story of an Irish-American boxer, Sean Kelleher, who accidentally kills his friend in the ring, promises his wife that he will never box again. However, years later, circumstances force him to take back that promise in order to save everything he loves.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Great character build up, a good story and impressive acting make this heart wrenching film a winner. (4.5 of 5 stars) November 8 and November 9

PANTS ON FIRE
Directed By: Colin Campbell
Brad Spoofer is a compulsive liar who moved to LA to become a star. But he's a dismal failure. His only clam to fame comes with being an extra in movie Dusty Town. When his hometown buddies surprise him with a visit, he pretends to be the next big thing. Thanks to a housesitting gig in Bel Air, he keeps the lie going, until he foolishly claims to be friends with Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite. Now his friends want to meet their idol. Meanwhile, Brad's fallen for Lucy, a cute painter. As his lies multiply and his checks bounce, he has to dodge creditors, woo the girl, and somehow, deliver Pedro.
FINAL ANALYSIS: The running gags of Dusty Town, a couch that won’t fit through the door of his apartment, a bouncing check, a pirate gig and more, make this film a fun watch. (3 of 5) November 8.

BART GOT A ROOM
Directed By: Brian Hecker
"What other evening in your life is as big? Maybe your wedding, but odds are that's gonna end in divorce anyway," says Danny's best friend Craig as the two nerdy pals lounge poolside in the Florida community they call home. The night in question is the Prom, of course, and high school senior Danny Stein wants what any reasonable young man wants on prom night - to get to home plate with the perfect girl. He's got the hotel, the limo, and the tux, and his recently divorced, slightly dysfunctional parents are rooting for him. He's only missing one thing -- the girl.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A great closing night choice with witty performances by William H. Macy, Steven J. Kaplan, Cheryl Hines, and Alia Shawkat. This teenage angst film was shot entirely in Broward County with a lot of familiar locations. Don’t miss it. (5 of 5 stars) November 9 (Plays twice)

Film Lover’s Guide to the 2008 Ft Lauderdale Int’l Film Festival
By Denise Castillón

The on-going Ft Lauderdale Film Fest will gift festival-goers with a first-rate selection of special film screening events. Beginning this weekend with I‘VE LOVED YOU SO LONG and SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK, then, into next week with NOTTURNO BUS (Night Bus).

French novelist and literary professor, Philippe Claudel debuts as a scriptwriter and director with I‘VE LOVED YOU SO LONG (Il Y A Longtemps Que Je T’aime), starring Kristin Scott Thomas as a woman with a secret past hiding an unspeakable crime, who, after many years, reunites with her younger sister (played by Elsa Zylberstein). (French language, with English subtitles). A Sony Pictures Classics release.
Screens at FLIFF on Friday, October 24th, 7PM at AMC Coral Ridge.

Charlie Kaufman, the surrealist writer of “Being with John Malovich” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”, makes his directorial debut with his latest scripted comedy SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK [pronounced Sih –NECK-doh-kee]. Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman as a regional theater director in Schenectady, who escapes his messy personal life by relocating to a New City warehouse, where he confines an ensemble cast to rehearse his latest play. Hoffman is supported by an impressive array of actors, such as Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams, Catherine Keener, Emily Watson, Dianne Wiest and Hope Davis. A Sony Pictures Classics release.
Screens at FLIFF on Saturday, October 25th, 7PM at AMC Coral Ridge

In NOTTURNO BUS (Night Bus), a noir-styled caper comedy from Italy, Franz is a night bus driver with a heavy gambling debt. During his airport destination route, he picks up Leila, a beautiful thief who has unknowingly stolen a top secret microchip. Together, they embark on a thrilling and zany adventure. (Italian language, with English subtitles).
Screens at FLIFF on Wednesday, October 29th, 7PM and Thursday, October 30, 7PM at AMC Coral Ridge

For more information, go to www.FLIFF.com