The Lucky One Movie Review

The Lucky One Movie Review, Written by: Karen Benardello Director: Scott Hicks (‘No Reservations’) Starring: Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling (TV’s ‘Mercy’) and Blythe Danner There are often instances when even the most independent people who feel they can survive on their own need help, and are deeply changed by the one instance they needed assistance. Even Marines can be influenced by a chance encounter they weren’t expecting, and will do anything to return the favor. This is the case in the latest film adaption of a popular Nicholas Sparks book, ‘The Lucky One,’ emotionally mixing a character’s need for help with his love for the one who saved him. ‘The Lucky One’ follows U.S. Marine Sergeant Logan Thibault (played by Zac Efron), who returns home to Colorado after his third tour of duty in Iraq. Realizing that he needs to find a way to cope with being home, Logan decides to find the woman in the picture he found while fighting in Iraq. After discovering her name is Beth (portrayed by Taylor Schilling), Logan and his dog walk to the dog kennel in Louisiana where she lives and works. Logan is instantly well-received by Beth’s grandmother, Ellie (played by Blythe Danner), who runs the kennel, so she decides to hire him to help with the manual labor. Beth’s son Ben (portrayed by Riley Thomas Stewart) also grows attached to the new man in their life. Despite her initial mistrust of Logan and the harassment she regularly receives from her ex-husband, Keith (played by Jay R. Ferguson), about dating other people, Beth decides to start a romance with her grandmother’s new hire. As Logan’s feelings for Beth deepen, he must debate whether he should tell her about finding her picture, and believing she was his good luck charm in the war. To continue reading this review, please visit Shockya.

Jesus Henry Christ Movie Review

Jesus Henry Christ Movie Review, Written by: Karen Benardello Director: Dennis Lee (‘Fireflies in the Garden’) Starring: Jason Spevack (‘Ramona and Beezus’), Toni Collette and Michael Sheen Teens often spend most of their adolescence trying to spend as little time with their families as possible. But when they don’t know who one of their parents is, their need to find their family and identity is often one of the most important things in their life. The need to fully discover one’s background and personality is cleverly shown in the new comedy ‘Jesus Henry Christ.’ While the title character in the film, Henry, is known for his unnaturally high IQ, he is like many children in one regard-he wants to know his father. ‘Jesus Henry Christ’ follows Henry James Herman (played by Jason Spevack), a 10-year-old boy genius who is set to start college. While he’s smarter than the rest of the children in his former elementary school, he still longs for the one thing they have that he doesn’t: a father. After speaking to his Grandpa Stan (played by Frank Moore), Henry learns that he was a test-tube baby, and his biological half-sister is-the 12-year-old Audrey O’Hara (portrayed by Samantha Weinstein), who is an outcast herself. She is ridiculed by her classmates for being the test-subject of the book ‘Born Gay or Made That Way?,’ which was written by her father, Dr. Slavkin O’Hara (played by Michael Sheen). Much to the dismay of Henry’s mother, the left-wing feminist Patricia (portrayed by Toni Collette), Henry searches for his father. Along the way, he meets Slavkin by chance in a book store, and the two talk about their lives. They decide to test their DNA to find out once and for all if Slavkin is really Henry’s father. Writer-director Dennis Lee, who adapted ‘Jesus Henry Christ’ from his 2003 Academy Award-winning short film of the same name, perfectly captured the ever-evolving family dynamic that’s happening across America with the Hermans and O’Haras. The film proves that families no longer need to have a mother and a father to have intellectual children who aren’t afraid to stand up for what they believe in. Patricia and Slavkin realize that they must do whatever it takes to care for, and protect, their children, not matter what the personal costs are. To continue reading this review, please visit Shockya.

Marley Movie Review

Marley Movie Review, Written by: Karen Benardello

Director: Kevin Macdonald

Starring: Bob Marley (archive footage), Rita Marley, Ziggy Marley


Some musicians are valued for their impeccable singing and songwriting abilities, while others are honored for defining and reflecting the social injustices of the world. Bob Marley is one of the select talented musicians who are admired for both his music skills and his determination to stand up for those struggling to survive. While the singer-songwriter’s relentless efforts to change politics is still apparent in culture, almost 31 years after his death, little is known about his personal life. His upbringing and personal relationships are well-balanced with the powerful messages he brought around the world in the biographical documentary.

‘Marley’ uniquely chronicles the upbringing and personal background of one of music’s, and Jamaica’s, most beloved, revolutionary and respected icons. With the help and support of the reggae singer-songwriter’s family, including his widow, Rita; son, Ziggy; and daughter, Cedella; the documentary features interviews who those who knew Marley best. The film also includes rare photos and performances from the musician’s career to showcase why he has become such an important part of music history, and why his message has transcended different cultures.

Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald, who knew little about Marley’s life and career being being hired by the producers of the film’s production company, Shangri-La Entertainment, successfully captured why the singer was motivated to sing about the hardships Jamaica was facing. ‘Marley’ proves the singer wasn’t just involved in the music industry just for his love of singing; he also wanted to serve as an inspiration for people in Jamaica, and around the world, determined to make better lives for themselves. People today can still relate to, and respect, Marley’s actions, because he refused to allow anyone to be forgotten by society, or be dictated on how to live by other people.



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Interview: Lawrence and Meg Kasdan Talk About Filming Darling Companion

Sometimes the only way people realize how important reconnecting with their family is is when they experience a devastating loss together. In the new film ‘Darling Companion,’ which was co-written by husband and wife filmmaking team Lawrence and Meg Kasdan, and directed by the former, the characters start to feel love again after rescuing an abandoned dog. When the dog becomes lost, his owners must learn to work together and communicate again in order to find him.

‘Darling Companion’ follows married couple Beth and Joseph Winter (played by Diane Keaton and Kevin Kline), who are dealing in their own separate ways with their two daughters, Grace (portrayed by Elisabeth Moss) and Ellie (portrayed by Lindsay Sloane), starting their own lives. With Joseph extremely involved with his career as a surgeon, Beth views him as self-indulgent. In order to fill the void of love she’s feeling, Beth rescues a dog she finds on the side of the road, and names him Freeway.

After Grace marries Sam (played by Jay Ali), the veterinarian who saved Freeway, at the family country cabin, her parents linger behind. Joined by Joseph’s sister, Penny (portrayed by Dianne Wiest); her new boyfriend, Russell (played by Richard Jenkins), who everyone feels in only taking advantage of her; Penny’s son Bryan (portrayed by Mark Duplass), who’s also a surgeon; and the cabin’s caregiver, Carmen (played by Ayelet Zurer), Beth and Joseph embark on a frantic search to find Freeway after he becomes lost while on a walk. In the process, everyone learns that family is the most important thing in life, and how to reconnect.

The Kasdans recently took the time to sit down for a roundtable interview at New York City’s Regency Hotel to discuss the process of writing and directing ‘Darling Companion.’ Among other things, the filmmakers spoke about what it was like reuniting with Kline for their sixth movie together, and the feelings of loss when their own dog was missing for three weeks.

Written by: Karen Benardello


Question (Q): Was it an easy process for a husband and wife to make a project like this, or was it a tug-of-war? What was the process like?

Meg Kasdan (MK): It was not difficult for us. We spent lots and lots of time together. Once we both committed to doing this, we had a really great time doing it together.

Lawrence Kasdan (LK): We had done another movie together, we had done ‘Grand Canyon’ together. It was a really satisfying experience. People always say, how does your marriage survive it? It isn’t like that at all, it’s really a fun, collaborative thing. I’ve written a lot of stuff alone, and it’s lonely and hard. I do it all the time, I’m doing it now. To collaborate with someone, which I’ve also done a lot, it makes the job more pleasant.

Q: Why were you inspired to put this film together?

MK: Well, we rescued a dog, and the dog was lost for three weeks in the mountains in Colorado. We had a real adventure searching for him for the three weeks. Eventually, we recovered him, and we still have him. He’s 14 years old now.

There were things that happened during that search that we felt maybe we could make a story out of those experiences. So it’s a fictionalized version of something that really happened to us.

LK: I was surprised, personally, over how upset I was over losing this dog. I knew I liked the dog. We had rescued the dog from a shelter. But I didn’t have any idea how deeply upset I would be at the thought that we had lost him.

We had a dog previously, and I think we were good owners. But it never happened, this sort of bonding. It had happened with this dog in a short time. I was shocked by it. The feelings were not any different than the feelings we had toward people. There’s a lot of resistance to that in the world.

A friend of ours who teaches literature at the University of Washington was telling us there’s a big debate in the academic community about if animals have souls. We thought, how can there be any doubt? It didn’t seem doubtful to us that a living creature has a soul. That was weird debate to me that it’s a big debate in academia.


To continue reading this interview, please visit Shockya.

The Cabin in the Woods Movie Review

The Cabin in the Woods Examiner.com Movie Review, Written by: Karen Benardello



Technology has often been used to help people improve their lives, but sometimes it can be used to horrifically end it. The new horror thriller ‘The Cabin in the Woods,’ which is now playing at area Long Island theaters, successfully revives the genre by featuring frightening and brutal killings. It also showcases the inequalities plaguing modern society, such as the intrusiveness of technology. Filmmaker Drew Goddard, who is making his feature film directorial debut, successfully incorporated the thrill and darkness of horror movies into the film, and helped revitalize the genre in the process.

‘The Cabin in the Woods’ follows five college friends-Dana (played by Kristen Connolly), Curt (portrayed by Chris Hemsworth), Jules (played by Anna Hutchison), Marty (portrayed by Fran Kranz) and Holden (played by Jesse Williams)-as they drive to a remote cabin in the woods for fun weekend. Little do the friends know that two technicians in a sophisticated industrial facility, Richard Sitterson (portrayed by Richard Jenkins) and Steve Hadley (played by Bradley Whitford), are watching their every move, as they prepare for an unknown operation, one of several to take place around the world.

While at the cabin, the friends are having fun until they find old artifacts in the cellar. Dana reads Latin from an old diary, causing zombies to rise from their nearby graves. As the zombies begin targeting the group, it’s revealed that Richard and Steve are leading a bet on what type of monster would be chosen, based on the friends’ actions, and how the friends would be killed. The two begin manipulating events at the cabin, in an effort to ensure the friends all die, one by one. Through hidden surveillance cameras, the events are all broadcast to a national audience.

‘The Cabin in the Woods,’ which was shot between March and May 2009, almost wasn’t released, due to its studio, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, filing for bankruptcy. Luckily, Lionsgate stepped in to distribute the film, as Goddard has previously proven his talent in the horror genre as a writer. While the horror thriller is the filmmaker’s directorial debut, he previously garnered fame for writing episodes of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer,’ ‘Angel,’ ‘Lost’ and ‘Alias,’ as well as the hit horror movie ‘Cloverfield.’



To continue reading this review, please visit Examiner.

The Three Stooges Movie Review

The Three Stooges Shockya.com Movie Review, Written by: Karen Benardello

Directors: Bobby and Peter Farrelly

Starring: Sean Hayes, Will Sasso (TV’s ‘Family Guy’), Chris Diamantopoulos (TV’s ’24′), Sophia Vergera and Jane Lynch



Adapting a beloved comedy act from the mid-20th century into a modern-day feature film can put pressure on even the most experienced comedy screenwriters and directors, including acclaimed filmmakers Bobby and Peter Farrelly. While the two writers-directors seem like the perfect duo to script and helm the contemporary film adaptation of ‘The Three Stooges,’ their modernization of the comedy group unfortunately failed to capture the true essence of the popular act. The Farrellys had a commendable idea in bringing ‘The Three Stooges’ to a younger audience, but ultimately didn’t include any new ideas for the trio.

‘The Three Stooges’ follows three newborns, Moe (later played by Chris Diamantopoulos as an adult), Larry (portrayed by Will Sasso) and Curly (played by Sean Hayes), as they’re left on the doorstep of an orphanage run by Mother Superior (portrayed by Jane Lynch) and her nuns. While the three are initially embraced by the nuns, they grow up pulling pranks on everyone in the orphanage. As adults, the three are employed as the foster home’s inept maintenance men, and are determined to help save the orphanage when it accumulates debt and can no longer afford to stay open.

To make money, Moe, Larry and Curly are hired by Lydia (played by Sophia Vergera) to kill her husband, who inadvertently turns out to be one of the kids the stooges grew up with, Teddy (portrayed by Kirby Heyborne). When the three refuse to kill their long-lost friend, they become determined to find another way to raise the money to save the orphanage.

The Farrellys have been involved with the stooge’s big screen adaptation since 2001 and aimed to modernize their story, but ‘The Three Stooges’ unfortunately failed to live up to the filmmakers’ previous hit comedies, such as ‘Dumb and Dumber’ and ‘There’s Something About Mary.’ While ‘The Three Stooges’ does touch on such contemporary issues as protecting orphans in foster homes and a spouse who is only in a marriage for money, the Farrellys didn’t incorporate any modern physical comedy to appeal to younger audiences. The directors proclaimed they didn’t want to make a remake of the original comedy act, but the slapping, tripping and other slapstick comedy feels dated and unoriginal.



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Interview: Mario Van Peebles Talks "We the Party"

Interview: Mario Van Peebles Talks "We the Party," Yahoo! Voices, Written by: Karen Benardello


Teenagers have always been perceived as only acting in their own best interest, and what immediately will be most beneficial to them. However, the new comedy "We the Party" shows that teens can succeed in whatever they put their minds to. The film, which was written and directed by Mario Van Peebles, who also stars in the movie, ultimately helps prove the idea that teens can mature and overcome any obstacle that gets in their way.

"We the Party" takes a contemporary look at the struggles and coming of age of the first generation of high school students affected by the Obama administration. Set against the latest trends in music, dance and fashion in an ethnically diverse Los Angeles school, the comedy follows five friends, including Hendrix Sutton (played by Mandela Van Peebles), as they struggle with romance and money.

While Hendrix is concerned about making money to buy a car and impressing the older Cheyenne Davis (portrayed by Simone Battle), his father (portrayed by writer-director Mario Van Peebles), who is also one of his teachers, wants him to improve his grades. Hendrix is caught between impressing his peers and pleasing his father, and must decide which road he wants to pursue.

Mario generously took the time to speak over the phone about what inspired him to write and direct "We the Party." The filmmaker also discussed why he enjoys working with his children and father, and why he thinks it's important to feature contemporary issues plaguing society in movies.



Question (Q): :"We The Party" is a hip-hop infused dramedy about the first generation of high schoolers to come of age during the Obama years. What was your inspiration in chronicling the struggles of modern day society through the eyes of the current high school generation, against the latest trends in music, dance and fashion?

Mario Van Peebles (MVP): Well, the big inspiration was my five teenagers. (laughs) I have three boys and two girls, all going through various stages of teenagedom. I felt like I was taking a crash course in it.

I wound up going out with them. They wanted to go to parties and all-age clubs, and my response was heck no, you can't go without me. We went back and forth, and finally one son said how about you go out with me, but not as my dad? You go out with us as our bouncer, as our friend. (laughs)

So I went out with them to the clubs. We heard all the bands playing, and heard all the rap groups. I saw what they were going through, and I started writing the movie. That became the basis for "We the Party."

Q: Speaking of your children, you cast several of them in "We The Party," including your son, Mandela, who plays the main character, Hendrix. What is your motivation in working with your family on your films, and how did you come to decide that Mandela would be the right choice to cast as Hendrix?

MVP: Part of it is when I direct shows like "Boss," "Damages" or "Lost," when you direct a series, it's almost like you know the characters well. You're putting them in new situations, and seeing them grow and evolve in different places. I felt like I grew up with my kids, and I knew them well, and I could really write their voices well. They've been acting with me since they were kids.

I saw their friends, and Snoop Dogg's sons and P. Diddy's son. It felt organic, because I knew their voices so well. So a lot of the characters and the things that happen in 'We the Party' are inspired by them. So I think that was a big part of it.

For example, my one son was studying with a girl who was a 4.0 student. They were studying over Skype, and that's in the movie. He's on the debate team, and he's very, very bright. They nicknamed him Obama, and that's in the movie. My oldest daughter's a big drama queen, and knows all that's happening socially. So that was in the movie.

A lot of things in the movie are based on things they did. That's what made it so much fun, and made it feel so authentic, and their voices are real. I really worked on getting their real voices.



To continue reading this interview, please visit Yahoo! Voices.

Interview: Adam Brody and Analeigh TiptonTalk Damsels in Distress

While people, even in the same social circles, have different personalities and outlooks on life, everyone is quick to defend their viewpoints and ideas, even to their friends. This is one of the key topics in writer-director Whit Stillman’s new comedy ‘Damsels in Distress,’ which is now playing in select theaters. The lead female characters in the film are on a mission to change the ideals and actions on their college campus, particularly amongst their male counterparts, even if it means arguing with those around them.

‘Damsels in Distress’ follows a trio of girls-dynamic leader Violet (played by Greta Gerwig), opinionated Rose (portrayed by Megalyn Echikunwoke) and sexy Heather (played by Carrie MacLemore)-as they set to help their fellow students at their grungy East Coast college, Seven Oaks. Not only do they want to change the male barbaric ideals that still resonate on campus, the girls also run the school’s suicide prevention center. They help treat their classmates with tap dancing and good hygiene.

The girls decide to take one of their new classmates, transfer student Lily (portrayed by Analeigh Tipton), under their wing. While teaching her the ways of the school, the girls also become entangled with the slick Charlie (played by Adam Brody), seemingly romantic Xavier (portrayed by Hugo Beker) and frat boys Frank (played by Ryan Metcalf) and Thor (portrayed by Billy Magussen).

Tipton and Brody generously took the time to speak about filming ‘Damsels in Distress’ at New York City’s Regency Hotel during a roundtable interview. The two discussed, among other things, what their favorite dances are, and the ideas they agreed with Violet about.

Written by: Karen Benardello


Question (Q): How did you both get involved with ‘Damsels in Distress?’

Adam Brody (AB): Mostly the old-fashioned way. Mostly you get agents before you ever know what’s happening. You go to meetings. But I just loved the script, I think it’s brilliant.

Q: Why is it brilliant to you?

AB: I think it’s incredibly funny and so original and unique, what Whit puts on film, and his ideas. It’s so rich with ideas and different themes and subtexts. It’s packed with a lot of different philosophies, but all under a romantic, incredible movie.

Q: Analeigh, how did you get involved in the movie?

Analeigh Tipton (AT): I was sent the script by my agent. I wasn’t familiar with Whit’s work. I loved how there was a joke on the surface level, and then 10 pages later, the joke would be brought back around, and things would take on different levels of Whit, to use a play on his name.

Before even meeting him, I saw other movies, to fully understand the style, and appreciate what partaking in the film would mean. I fell in love with the process from there.

Q: In the movie, you talk fast, and really have to pay attention all the time. Is this more difficult as actors?

AB: I think as an audience, with all of his movies, I can’t process what’s being said for like 10 minutes. So much is coming at you, dialogue-wise. But on the flip-side, that’s what’s so great, his movies are so fun to watch again. You really catch things the third time.

Even with the script, even though you’re reading it over and over, slower, taking it in. You’re catching things the third and fourth time, that you didn’t the first time.

Q: How was that while you were filming?

AB: I didn’t have a problem with it. I had to look stuff up, though, because I don’t know what it all means. (laugh) I don’t know every author, or every word. But, in terms of me, the rhythm is so laid out for you, and the humor is already there for you. The dialogue, you just kind of say it. Although it’s a little heightened and proper, I personally fell in love with it. It wasn’t that difficult.



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Interview: Megalyn Echikunwoke and Carrie MacLemore Talk Damsels in Distress

The women-take-charge, narcissistic attitude has become increasingly prevalent in films, and writer-director Whit Stillman is the latest filmmaker to take part in the trend. His new comedy ‘Damsels in Distress,’ which is now playing in select theaters, isn’t afraid to present its female leads as smarter than their male counter-parts. The women are also classier than the men, in a school where male barbarism is still in effect, decades after coeducation was implemented on American college campuses.

‘Damsels in Distress’ follows a trio of girls-dynamic leader Violet (played by Greta Gerwig), principled Rose (portrayed by Megalyn Echikunwoke) and sexy Heather (played by Carrie MacLemore)-as they set out to revolutionize life at their gungy East Coast college, Seven Oaks. They decide to take a new transfer student, Lily (played by Analeight Tipton), under their wing as they set out to also help depressed students at the school’s suicide prevention center, which they run. In the process, the girls must also cope with the men they’ve become entangled with, including slick Charlie (portrayed by Adam Brody), the seemingly romantic Xavier (played by Hugo Becker) and frat boys Frank (portrayed by Ryan Metcalf) and Thor (portrayed by Billy Magnussen).

Echikunwoke and MacLemore generously took the time to discuss ‘Damsels in Distress’ with us during a roundtable interview at New York City’s Regency Hotel. The two actresses spoke about, amongst other things, what they think of the new trend in independent female lead characters, and what it was like working together on the independent film.

Written by: Karen Benardello


Question (Q): How did you both become involved in the project?

Megalyn Echikunwoke (ME): I auditioned like normal actors audition for things. (To MacLemore) Did you get to read the script before you went in?

Carrie MacLemore (CM): No, I read the sides as the different roles I read for, as they came in. I read the sides, and that was it, until Whit said, okay, I want you to read for Heather. Read the full script, and we’ll read through all those scenes. That was the first time I read it. It was at the end of the process.

ME: Yeah, most of the girls in the movie-Heather, Lily and Violet-all of those girls were considered for the other roles. So they were playing merry-go-round. But Rose was always Rose. So I read the script, and I read for Rose.

I got to meet Whit, and he was so lovely, and we kind of developed the character in the audition room. He asked me to try some accents, and he really liked the English accent, and it stuck. From then on, I was Rose. I was really lucky.

Q: Were you familiar with Whit’s work prior to filming?

ME: I wasn’t. I had heard of ‘Last Days of Disco,’ but had never seen it. After I read the script, I was a huge fan.

CM: Yeah, I wasn’t familiar with his work either. But after I read the first scene, I rushed out to watch his other films, and I loved them. I said, why didn’t I know about this before, why didn’t I know about ‘Metropolitan?’ People who know me know this is my thing.

Q: Can you both see clear connections between Whit’s previous movies and this one?

ME: Absolutely. But I think this is a departure from his other movies. The characters are more stereotypical. It’s more of a comedy. His other movies didn’t have the comedic edge I think this one has. This is a dark comedy.



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Interview: Whit Stillman and Greta Gerwig Talk About Fillming Damsels in Distress

College is finally the time when people can voice their opinions and set out to accomplish whatever they put their minds to. This certainly rings true in writer-director Whit Stillman’s new comedy, ‘Damsels in Distress,’ in which females are finally taking control of college life, and are portrayed to be smarter than their male counterparts. The female characters in the film aren’t afraid to voice their thoughts and opinions, no matter how different they are than their friends’ and classmates’ ideas.

‘Damsels in Distress’ follows a trio of beautiful girls-dynamic leader Violet (played by Greta Gerwig), principled Rose (portrayed by Megalyn Echikunwoke) and sexy Heather (played by Carrie Maclemore)-who try to revitalize life at their male-dominated East Coast college, Seven Oaks. At the beginning of the year, they decide to welcome transfer student Lily (portrayed by Analeigh Tipton) into their group, which tries to help severely depressed students through a program of good hygiene and musical dance numbers. The girls become romantically involved with a series of men they view to be inferior, including mischievous Charlie (played by Adam Brody), romantic Xavier (portrayed by Hugo Becker) and frat members Frank (played by Ryan Metcalf) and Thor (portrayed by Billy Magnussen), who all threaten the girls’ friendship and sanity.

Stillman and Gerwig generously took the time to sit down with us during a roundtable interview at The Regency Hotel in New York City to discuss what it was like filming ‘Damsels in Distress.’ Among other things, they also spoke about why the actress was a good fit for the role of Violet, and what they truly think about movie critics.

Written by: Karen Benardello


Question (Q): Can you two discuss how you met?

Whit Stillman (WS): We met in the casting process. There was a really great team of casting people, and they showed me this picture of this beautiful blonde actress. They said she’s very good, and I said, she’ll play the drop-dead gorgeous Lily. Then I meet her, and…

Greta Gerwing (GG): It’s me. (laughs) I wanted to play Violet, and when Whit talked to me, he maybe realized I was more of a Violet than he thought. I auditioned for him and the casting directors. I asked to audition, and I tap danced and sang.

WS: She had the part, we just wanted to see her tap dance. (laughs)

Q: Why did you think you were more like Violet?

GG: Oh, I was in love with her. She’s one of the most wonderful female characters I’ve ever read. I just think she’s inspiring as a person. She’s strange and contradictory, but also utterly herself. I had such fun playing her, the way she was and her humanity.

Q: With the portrayal of women and men in this movie, did you think about that a lot while writing?

WS: Well, she’s trying to be anthropological, and see people in their native habitat.

Q: It’s refreshing to see women being weird, and not shown in a stereotypical way.

GG: It’s funny. Violet’s trying so hard to be some kind of feminine ideal, but becomes utterly strange. It’s like aliens observing earth, and then trying to imitate humans.

WS: Yeah, I was trying to make an aliens comedy. (laughs) I said, we’ll make aliens on a university campus, but we won’t tell anyone.

Q: Why set the film in college?

WS: Well, there’s a seed of veracity to it. I’ve run into the story of groups of young women who try to transform male-dominated campuses. People were very amused by the women involved in the story, with their perfume and dressing up. But then it seemed like it could be a whole comic environment, and that’s how the story turned out.

It’s beyond what I anticipated. I like the comedy going in that broader, fantastical direction. I think it’s also that I don’t get to direct broad comedies, but I really love them. I love Will Ferrell, like ‘Old School,’ and ‘Animal House.’ I think we got a little bit of that in our film.

Q: How did you work out Violet’s delivery of her lines? They’re pretty deadpan, and she’s saying all these crazy theories. It sounds so normal, like you’re buying into what she’s saying.

GG: Oh good, I’m glad you thought so. (laughs) But I think a lot of it for me was internalizing her ideas, and really getting behind what she was saying, logically and emotionally. Not just saying the lines to be funny, but because she means them.

Whit really pushed up in the direction of whenever we would give more comic performances, the girls, he would say no, we’re not going to play this as a comedy. It’s funny, but we’re not playing it like it’s a comedy, for the girls. I think the boys had more comedic performances that were played like that. But the girls, we really tried to make it sincere with all of our performances.



To continue reading this interview, please visit Shockya.

The Hunter Movie Review

The Hunter Examiner.com Movie Review, Written by: Karen Benardello


People jaded by negative emotional experiences often disconnect themselves from all areas of life, and undergo stages of isolation, loneliness and grief. But they can find redemption in the most unexpected places and from surprising relationships. This is certainly the case with several of the main characters in the new action drama ‘The Hunter,’ which is now playing at select New York theaters. Though the characters were initially reluctant to embrace change, they came to realize that life doesn’t have to be as vulnerable as they perceived.

‘The Hunter’ follows the title character, skilled mercenary Martin (played by Willem Dafoe), whose last major assignment before retiring is to search for a Tasmanian tiger still believed to be living in the wilderness. While the species has been listed as extinct since the 1930s, an anonymous biotech company, led by the callous Jack (portrayed by Sam Neill), wants Martin to find the tiger so that it can use the animal’s genetic material.

Martin arrives in Tasmania posing as a scientist, and stays with a family, including reclusive mother Lucy Armstrong (played by Frances O’Connor); outgoing daughter Sass (portrayed by Morgana Davies); and mute son Bike (played by Finn Woodlock), who are dealing with their father having gone missing. While Martin’s usually a loner, he becomes increasingly close to the family, which complicates his deadly mission.

Director Daniel Nettheim effortlessly brought ‘The Hunter’s emotional story of the ever-conflicted Martin to the screen from the 1999 novel of the same name by Julia Leigh. Through the unforgiving nature of Martin’s tough attitude, initial unwillingness to connect with anyone and determination to find the tiger, the film features a strong emotional arc between him and the other characters. While he’s determined to finish his assignment without forming any emotional bonds, Martin shows his vulnerability when he unexpectedly begins to feel protective over his host family.

Dafoe was the perfect choice to play Martin in ‘The Hunter,’ as he not only connected with his co-stars, but also ponders the assignment as his last chance of redemption. While he’s intelligent and determined to successfully complete his mission in the Australian wilderness, audiences worldwide will instantly see his resourceful, compassionate nature. He believably comes to care about helping Lucy overcome her depression over her missing husband, and act as a positive role model for Sass and Bike.



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We the Party Movie Review

We the Party Examiner.com Movie Review, Written by: Karen Benardello


Teenagers have always been perceived as only acting in their own best interest, and not caring about the emotions of others or the welfare of their future. The new comedy ‘We the Party,’ which is now playing at select Long Island theaters, offers a refreshing alternative to the idea, showcasing that teens can succeed in whatever they put their minds to. The film takes a risk in trying to send its all-important message through several different minorities, but the main characters’ varying ethnicities ultimately helps prove the idea that all races do face the obstacle of oppression at times.

‘We the Party’ takes a contemporary look at the struggles and coming of age of the first generation of high school students affected by the Obama administration. Set against the latest trends in music, dance and fashion in an ethnically diverse Los Angeles school, the comedy follows five friends, including Hendrix Sutton (played by Mandela Van Peebles), as they struggle with romance and money.

While Hendrix is concerned about making money to buy a car and impressing the older Cheyenne Davis (portrayed by Simone Battle), his father (portrayed by writer-director Mario Van Peebles), who is also one of his teachers, wants him to improve his grades. Hendrix is caught between impressing his peers and pleasing his father, and must decide which road he wants to pursue.

‘We the Party’ offers a realistic, insightful look into the maturing world of teenagers and the ever-increasing pressures they’re forced to live up to during their time in high school. One of the main issues is their constant use of social media, which tracks every minute of people’s personal lives, which at times can negatively affect their grades. Therefore, students need to work harder to distinguish their academic achievements and positive attributes from their private moments, and prove they’re smart, despite their occasional lack in judgment.


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Damsels in Distress Movie Review

Damsels in Distress Shockya.com Movie Review, Written by: Karen Benardello

Director: Whit Stillman (‘Metropolitan’)

Starring: Greta Gerwig (‘Arthur’), Carrie MacLemore (TV’s ‘Gossip Girl’), Megalyn Echikunwoke (TV’s ‘House of Lies’), Analeigh Tipton (‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’) and Adam Brody


While college coeducation has been commonplace in American society since the early 1970s, there are still some colleges nationwide whose identities are still distinctly male. Determined to showcase how a persistent male barbaric atmosphere can be uncomfortable for female students to adjust to, the new comedy ‘Damsels in Distress’ takes a stand for women nationwide. The film finally portrays women as being the more intellectual, opinionated gender that isn’t afraid to stand up for its beliefs through strong, independent female lead characters.

‘Damsels in Distress’ follows three beautiful girls-dynamic leader Violet Wister (played by Greta Gerwig), principled Rose (portrayed by Megalyn Echikunwoke) and sexy Heather (played by Carrie MacLemore)-as they set out to revolutionize the student life of their grungy East Coast college, Seven Oaks. At the beginning of the school year, they decide to take a new student under their wing to mentor, and decide to welcome transfer student Lily (portrayed by Analeigh Tipton) into their group.

The three girls show Lily the way they set to help the student body of Seven Oaks, by running the suicide prevention center with a program of good hygiene and musical dance numbers. Along the way, the girls also become entangled with a series of men at the school, including the mischievous Charlie (played by Adam Brody), the romantic Xavier (portrayed by Hugo Becker) and frat members Frank (played by Ryan Metcalf) and Thor (portrayed by Billy Magnussn, who all threaten the girls’ sanity and friendship.

Writer-director Whit Stillman took a risky move in showcasing college women as being intellectually and culturally smarter than their male counterparts in ‘Damsels in Distress,’ but the decision ultimately paid off. While such films as National Lampoon’s ‘Animal House’ and ‘Van Wilder’ have routinely shown fraternity students challenging the status quo at their schools, Stillman created independent, unique female characters who were smarter than their male counterparts. Each of the women in Violet’s group has a distinctive, take charge attitude, while the men they’re attracted to are inferior to them, whether in their book smarts or their barbaric outlook on gender roles.

Violet is the natural leader of her group of friends, as she firmly stands behind her ideas and beliefs. While people don’t always agree with her tactics, such as using dance to help the depressed students of Seven Oaks feel better, she is determined to get others to recognize her point of views. The more her peers question her beliefs, the more Violet is determined to stand up for her ideas and to improve the world. But she’s also willing to improve herself when she realizes her ideas aren’t always rights; she’s a natural leader because she’s willing to listen to other people’s points of view.


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