Director with Charles Martin Smith with Morgan Freeman on the set of Alcon Entertainment's family adventure "Dolphin Tale," a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jon Farmer

Charles Martin Smith began his Hollywood film career surrounded by a group of young, serious and ambitious people such as himself. I’m sure the names George Lucas, Ron Howard, Harrison Ford and Richard Dreyfus ring a bell. Smith played the ever optimistic ‘Terry the Toad’ in the legendary 1973 film, “American Graffiti.” Since that time, he’s had a steady stream of acting work and has ventured into directing. No doubt, his name will become easily recognizable soon, as “Dolphin Tale” has claimed the number one slot at the weekend box office.

We chatted in person at the Trump Hotel in Chicago, in a suite overlooking the Chicago River, with a breathtaking view of Lake Michigan. He’s very easy going and my time with him was like chatting with a friend. He’s the director of a heartwarming film centering on a dolphin named Winter who looses her tail.

Sarah Adamson with Dennis Farina. Photo Credit: Tyna S. Cline

Dennis Farnia was in Chicago promoting his film “The Last Rites of Joe May” we met in Chicago at Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy and chatted about his Chicago roots, his starring role as Joe May and his Italian heritage. Farnia is charming, witty and very easy to talk with.

Sarah Adamson: How cool was it last night for you on the red carpet and your film is opening night at the Chicago Independent Film Festival?

Dennis Farnia: Well, it was a special evening. Because we did the film in Chicago there were a lot of Chicago people in the film. It’s a big deal. The Chicago Film Festival is an important film festival. It was great. We had a wonderful time.

Q: Absolutely! I’m not sure if people know this or not, that you were, at one time, a Chicago police officer? Eighteen years, is that correct?

A: Yeah, but I rarely discuss that. It was so long ago.

Q: This leads perfectly to my next question, what drew you to acting?

A: I met Michael Mann. I really had no intention of anything but I met Michael and a series of things happened and here I am and here we are talking. Life just kind of goes by, I guess. I’m really not so sure about specifics anymore - about when it happened, how it happened, where it happened or anything like that but I was in the right place at the right time. An opportunity came up and I thought I should take advantage of it.

Q: Do you feel like you are really following your passion, living your dream through acting?

A: I enjoy it. I have a wonderful time doing it. I enjoy the process. I like being on movie sets and interacting with all these people and meeting all of these interesting people. You meet the most interesting people. To me, it’s pretty damn nice.

Q: Your character, Joe May, is so well written. As a viewer, you can’t help but root for him even though he’s a hustler and everything. Is this one of the reasons you were drawn to the film? 


A: I remember getting the script and about four to five pages into it I knew I wanted to do it. It all worked out from then. It was originally set in New York. We asked Joe if he would come to Chicago take a look around Chicago and see if we can fit Chicago into it and he did. I think we converted him; he might be becoming a Chicagoan. It all worked out but I knew right away that I liked the script. It was really well written.

Gerard Butler attends "Machine Gun Preacher" Los Angeles Premiere 9/21/2011. Photo Credit” JB Lacroix/WireImage

Gerard Butler Chats About His Role in “Machine Gun Preacher"

Most people know Gerard Butler from his work as the rough and tough guy in the film “300.” What’s interesting about Butler’s film career is that his films roles have varied significantly in scope. He’s played a single dad in “Nim’s Island” and tackled comedy in “The Ugly Truth.” Many people are also familiar with his myriad of work in independent films.

In the film “Machine Gun Preacher” he plays a real life guy, Sam Childers, a former drug dealer and ex con whose life is transformed by his belief in God and his strong-willed wife (played by Michelle Monaghan). Ultimately, Childers takes a trip to Sudan, Africa and begins an all out campaign to help orphaned and kidnapped children. He rescues kids, gives them a place to stay in the orphanage he built, preaches and shoots his machine gun if necessary.

Butler was in Chicago on a whirlwind press tour promoting his new film. We met along with other journalists in the conference room at the Four Seasons Hotel on August 23, 2011 on a clear, crisp day.

Butler has played other epic characters and this one certainly fits that description. When asked how he approached portraying Sam Childers, Butler stated that if you compare Sam to other characters that he has played, Sam falls into that category along with other aspects.

Butler said, "The Phantom from “Phantom of the Opera,” Beowulf in “Beowulf & Grendel” and King Leonidas in “300,” all have really exceptional powers whereas Sam is a very charismatic man, but he’s still just a man. What I really connected with was the fact that he had all of that going on. He had incredible courage, incredible determination and endurance and yet, at the same time, he’s full of shame and anger. This violence just kind of simmers underneath the surface and that to me was how to make this character more fascinating and more gripping.”

Roger and Chaz Ebert with Sarah Adamson. Photo Credit: Steve Vukasovic

A Prolific Writer's Memoir Leaves No Stone Unturned

Sir Winston Churchill said, “Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it.” After reading Roger Ebert’s incredible autobiography, “Life Itself: A Memoir,” this quote appears fitting. Most of his significant life achievements were accomplished well before his serious bout with cancer that has left him without a jaw and unable to speak, eat or drink normally since 2006. However, what strikes a cord with me is his tremendous positive attitude since his cancer and his voraciousness toward social media as in Facebook, Twitter, his award winning RogerEbert.com blog and my favorite, The Ebert Club Newsletter.

He started his journalism career at the Chicago Sun-Times in 1967 and by age 33 received the Pulitzer Prize for film criticism. He’s also an acclaimed author of many books and co-hosted the popular award winning TV show, “Siskel and Ebert.” He turned to social media after his health issues and credits these types of media for helping him connect with the world. His blog alone had over 111 million views this past 12 months.

Anderson’s Bookshop hosted a book signing for Ebert’s autobiography, “Life Itself:A Memoir” on October 6, 2011 at their Naperville location. The store was packed as fans were anxious to meet the man behind the writing.

Chaz Ebert, his wife of 19 years, was by Roger’s side that evening, chatting with people and keeping the book signing line progressing.

I decided to ask Ebert if he would be open to answering questions for an interview after I had read the book. As luck was on my side that night, he agreed.

Now my dilemma was about to begin – what do you ask a person that you’ve admired for so many years? Whew − I was terrified to put it mildly. Nonetheless, my questions were finally written and all answered via email. Now, I’m hoping you’ll gain, as I have, some insight into this extraordinary man.

First and foremost, the book is poignant, fascinating, heartfelt, inspirational and informative. He talks about so many facets of his life, as if you’re sitting down and having a cup of coffee with him. I particularly enjoyed the mentioning of some of the books he’s read and what he’s learned from them. The book also includes chapters on his encounters with famous people, his struggles with alcohol, world travels, his marriage to Chaz, the details of his illness and his views on life.

Malcolm McDowell Photo Credit: Steve Vukasovic

Malcolm McDowell, who starred in the 1971 film directed by Stanley Kubrick, will greet fans and sign autographs in Naperville, Illinois at Hollywood Palms Cinema and host a special screening of “A Clockwork Orange”, August 12, 2011 at 9:00PM.

First a novel, “A Clockwork Orange” was written by British author Anthony Burgess in 1962. Stanley Kubrick wrote the screenplay and produced the film in 1971. McDowell stars as the main character Alex, who’s portrayed as a juvenile delinquent in a futuristic world.

I chatted with McDowell via phone on Monday afternoon prior to his visit. He enlightened me on several elements of the film.

McDowell said Kubrick cast him in the film after he had appeared in a movie directed by Lindsey Anderson.

“I was cast in “A Clockwork Orange” by Stanley Kubrick after he saw my work in the film ‘If’. I consider Lindsey Anderson my mentor. I enjoyed my work with Kubrick, but Anderson was more of a mentor to me,” McDowell said.

When the controversial film debuted in England it was so shocking that it was ultimately pulled from theaters. I wondered how McDowell felt.

“I was very proud of the film when it came out, it crossed over into so many genres it is difficult to pigeon hole it, and I’m not sure that it should be. It’s part black comedy, horror and science fiction. Certainly similarities in the humor can be seen in another film Kubrick directed, ‘Dr. Strangelove,’” McDowell said.

The mention of Peter Sellers as the lead in the hysterical Dr. Strangelove film, got us both laughing at this point, especially when discussing our favorite scenes.

Photo credit: Sarah Adamson

Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn) Interview Promoting, “A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas”

The duo spoke about Portillos, their co-stars; Tom Lennon, Neal Patrick Harris and Danny Trejo

Harold and Kumar are names that are synonymous with laughter. Together they’ve starred in three films as a comedy duo that started in 2004. We recently chatted at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Chicago in a lavish suite. Upon entering the room, they both came over to me and immediately introduced themselves. I asked them if they’ve been able to try any of our wonderful Chicago food and instantly they began talking about Portillos.

“Hey, the hotdogs over there are outstanding, I should be a spokesperson for them,” said, Kal Penn. “Oh yea, I love them,” said John Cho. Their contagious high energy, alongside their spontaneous humor made for an entertaining interview. Bottom-line-They are quick witted, easy going and hysterical in person.

Sarah Adamson: I’m chatting today with the comedy duo of Harold and Kumar.  Harold (John Cho) and Kumar( Kal Penn). Welcome to Sarah’s Backstage Pass!

KP: Thank you!

JC: Thanks for having us.

Q: It’s so great to have you here. Your new film, “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas” will open November 4^th. Do you have the same sense of excitement for this one as you did for the other two?

JC: I think we have more, right? (Glancing over at Kal.)  We had a sense of trepidation before the first one and now we can actually be excited.

Q: How do you feel about continuing the series in the same manner as I’m assuming, Chris Rock and Jackie Chan or the Cheech and Chong comedy duo? Do you like that concept?

JC:  Sure, I love coming back to do these movies. We lead transient lives, as actors, for some reason we have found ourselves in what is a rather stable job, as it turns out.  We’ve been reunited twice now and it’s always great to come back and ignite the love affair again.

Q: Sure, and I would imagine you have a really large fan base that asks, “Where is the next movie?”

KP: It’s been fun when you run into folks or when they look us up on Twitter and ask us questions like that, “When is it coming out?” It’s always nice to actually have an answer like that because there were a couple years between the movies when we didn’t know if we would be doing another one.  Now, it’s nice to be able to say, “November 4^th.”

JC: They always were riding the border between enthused and disgruntled. They didn’t go, (calm voice) “Hey, when’s the next movie?” They’d go, (yelling) “WHEN’S THE NEXT MOVIE?”

Mason Cook, Alexa Vega, Rowan Blanchard and Sarah Adamson

“Spy Kids: All the Time in the World”, in 4D will open August 19, 2011. Cast members were in Chicago to promote the film including one of the original spy kids, Alexa Vega. Two new spy kids who play twins in the film, Rowan Blanchard and Mason Cook chatted with me in Chicago on July 22, 2011 at the James Hotel.

Backstage Notes: The kids were delightful and very excited to talk about their new movie and all the fun they had making it. Rowan and Mason are both 11 years old and they handled themselves like seasoned press tour pros. Alexa Vega, 21, is one of the original spy kids who’s appeared in all of the films to date. She’s sweet, grounded and a very beautiful young lady. When we first met, we talked about nail polish and the fabulous shoes she was wearing.

Alexa Vega’s first Spy Kids film debuted in 2001. Having a history with the films, she explained her relationship to the new family in “Spy Kids 4” and the other connections. Jessica Alba stars as the step mom and Joel McHale as the dad of twins.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - Pictured: Paul Brittain - Photo by: Dana Edelson/NBC

When I reminiscence upon my past career as a gifted reading teacher of nine and ten year olds, in Naperville’s Project IDEA program, I often wonder where those students are or what they are doing in this world. It just so happens that Paul Brittain is one of my former students. He was in my fourth and fifth grade class at Ellsworth School in Naperville, Illinois. When I learned that Brittain was selected as a new Saturday Night Live cast member this past season, a smile quickly came across my face and a feeling of, ‘Wow, he made it to the big time,’ flooded my thoughts.

As an avid SNL fan, you can be sure that I either taped the shows or watched them live. While viewing the shows each week, I couldn’t help but feel proud every time Brittain appeared onscreen, I can only imagine how his parents must have felt.

SNL’s season finale was May 22, which has allowed Brittain’s schedule to free up, somewhat. Chicago’s Just For Laughs Comedy event is scheduled for June 14–19, and it’s no surprise that Brittain is performing.

We chatted by phone this past week and it was great to catch up after all these years. He talked about Naperville, writing sketches for SNL and the Improv Olympic Theater where he got his start in comedy.

Here’s part of our conversation:

Q: First of all, I can’t tell you how excited and happy I am for you as you’re performing on one of my all time favorite TV shows, SNL.

A: Thank you very much.

Q: Who were your comedic idols growing up?

A: I was a huge fan of SNL when I was growing up from the time I was about nine years old – Dana Carvey, Judd Hirsch and that whole crew. I used to watch reruns that featured John Belushi, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. I could easily list at least 200 people. Comedy was my favorite thing; I would sit there and watch comedy all the time and I’d watch stand up as well.