This Is the End
Film Review by Kam Williams
Celebrities Play Themselves in Zany Apocalyptic Comedy
When Jay Baruchel was picked up at L.A. airport by his close friend and fellow Canadian Seth Rogen, he was disappointed to learn that, instead of unwinding, the plan was to attend a housewarming party at James Franco’s mansion where a lot of A-list celebrities would be in attendance. For, despite having achieved his own measure of success, low-key Jay still lives in Montreal, in part to avoid the trappings of such shallow Tinseltown gatherings.
Upon their arrival, Jay awkwardly exchanges pleasantries with the host and Jonah Hill, both of whom he secretly suspects hate him. Furthermore, he’s overwhelmed to find himself surrounded by so many famous faces he’s never seen in person before, icons like including Kevin Hart, Channing Tatum, Jason Segel, Emma Watson and Mindy Kaling, to name a few.
Jay also feels uncomfortable about the booze, drugs and bawdy behavior typified by Michael Cera’s playfully slapping Rihanna on the rump only to get smacked in the face by the pop diva. Then there’s Craig Robinson who sits down at the piano to sing a tune called “Take Your Panties Off,” while sporting a T-shirt emblazoned with the same phrase.
However, all of the above is irreversibly rendered irrelevant when an earthquake registering 9.7 on the Richter scale rocks the city and rips a giant fissure right in front of Franco’s place. The guests scatter in all directions as a widening sinkhole starts to swallow some of the revelers at the same time that blue beams of light lift others heavenward.
Meanwhile, James, Jay, Seth, Emily, Craig and Jonah beat a hasty retreat and barricade themselves inside to await rescue. Eventually it dawns on them that the cavalry might never be coming, since what’s unfolding all across Los Angeles looks more like Judgment Day than the fallout from a momentary shift in tectonic plates.
Thus unfolds This Is the End, a zany apocalyptic comedy marking the directorial debut of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the writing team previously responsible for Superbad and Pineapple Express. This novel adventure proves to be every bit as side-splitting as their earlier offerings, with much of the inspired humor coming courtesy of actors willing to be the butt of the joke despite playing themselves.
Armageddon never looked like so much fun!
Excellent (4 stars)
R for crude humor, coarse sexuality, graphic nudity, drug use, violence and pervasive profanity
Running time: 107 minutes
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
To see a trailer for This Is the End, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYlQOutbjZA
Twenty Feet from Stardom
Film Review by Kam Williams
Do the names Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Darlene Love, Claudia Lennear, Tata Vega or Lynn Mabry ring a bell? Probably not, yet you are undoubtedly very familiar with their stellar work as backup singers for a variety of musical icons.
For example, it’s Merry’s powerful voice which adds a memorable touch of soul to the Rolling Stones’ classic “Gimme Shelter” in the brief interlude where she makes the most of the opportunity to belt out the bizarre lyrics “Rape! Murder! It’s just a shot away!” The same can be said of Darlene who not only handled backup duties on hundreds of hits by everyone from Elvis Presley to The Beach Boys to Tom Jones to Sonny & Cher, but even anonymously ghost recorded the lead vocals on such Sixties anthems as “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “He’s a Rebel” and “It’s in His Kiss,” without getting credit or decent compensation.
Sadly, despite their amazing talents, folks pursuing this profession generally have precious little to show financially for their considerable contributions to the annals of rock, soul and other genres. For most of the backups are black and female with gospel backgrounds, and have stories to share about being underpaid, underappreciated and/or outright exploited. In fact, Darlene confesses to having to clean houses as a maid between gigs in order to survive at a low point in her career.
Most backup singers are frustrated artists who spend years helping others shine while waiting for that big break that might never come that could catapult them into the limelight. Finally, thanks to Twenty Feet from Stardom, these neglected sisters are finally getting their props, if not the fortune and mega fame that has eluded them for so long.
Directed by Morgan Neville, this very entertaining and illuminating documentary includes testimonials by the likes of Sting, Springsteen, Bette Midler, Sheryl Crow and other greats freely paying tribute. A reverential retrospective representing the first tip of the cap to backups I can remember since Lou Reed warbled “And the colored girls go!” on the gritty ditty “Walk on the Wild Side.”
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated PG-13 for profanity and sexuality
Running time: 91 minutes
Distributor: Radius-TWC
To see a trailer for Twenty Feet from Stardom, visit
Ross Mathews
The “Man Up!” Interview with Kam Williams
Born in Mount Vernon, Washington on September 24, 1979, Ross Mathews has traveled the world and established himself as one of the most in-demand television correspondents in the pop-culture arena today. Endearing and witty, undeniably funny and one of the hardest working people in show business, Ross has won the hearts of millions of Americans since his television debut as Ross the Intern on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
He can be seen as a regular panelist and occasional guest host on E!’s late-night talk show “Chelsea Lately,” and is a fixture on the E! Network’s live red carpet awards show coverage. While working on a variety of projects Mathews continues duties on “The Tonight Show.”
In 2009, he hosted and executive produced a daily web talk show for The Insider and CBS.com called “Inside Dish with Ross Mathews,” a show about covering Hollywood from the outside in. “Inside Dish” eventually became the official web show for the CBS hits “Big Brother” and “The Amazing Race.”
In 2011, he began a national college tour speaking about his experiences climbing the Hollywood ladder and discussing his humorous take on pop culture. Many of his tour dates were documented on E! News’ political series, “Pop & Politics.”
Leading up to the 2012 Presidential Election, Ross served as the official political reporter for E! News. He covered both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, where he interviewed such leading political figures as First Lady Michelle Obama, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and former Republican Presidential nominee John McCain.
Ross recently released his first book, “Man Up: Tales of My Self Delusional Self-Confidence.” Featuring an introduction written by Gwyneth Paltrow, and afterword from Chelsea Handler, the memoir takes readers inside Mathews’ personal journey as a super fan, revealing the most embarrassing and hilarious moments of his small town life and big city adventures, and explains how he managed to turn an obsession with pop culture into one-on-one interactions with A-list celebrities.
Ross lives in Los Angeles with his partner Salvador, and their two rescue dogs, Louise and Mijo. When not working, he’s is a strong supporter of the Human Rights Campaign, speaking at many of its events, and receiving its Visibility Award in 2011. Here, he talks about his career, his autobiography, and the TV talk show he’ll be hosting in the fall on E! called “Hello Ross.”
Kam Williams: Hi Ross, thanks for the interview.
Ross Mathews: It’s great to talk to you, Kam.
KW: First, I want to let you know I was both thoroughly entertained by “Man Up!” and very moved by its self-empowerment theme. It’s a book I really savored and read slowly because it had substance and was thoroughly enjoyable.
RM: That makes me so happy I can’t even tell you. I can’t tell you how much I like hearing that, because it was a calculated decision to write the book which I took it very seriously. It wouldn’t be worth my while to just publish a trashy, bitchy, red carpet celebrity tell-all. I wanted my kids to be able to read it someday, and have them go, “Hey, that was pretty cool.”
KW: It was hilarious where you talked about interviewing celebrities on the red carpet, but it was also truly touching when you revisit the challenges you overcame in childhood and the support you received from your mother when you decided to come out. It gave me goose bumps.
RM: I’m going to call my mom and tell her you said that. She’ll love it!
KW: Editor/Legist Patricia Turnier asks: What message do you want people to take away from your new book?
RM: The book is really funny, but it does have a message. I wanted to make sure the readers did take something away from it. I define “Man Up!” as celebrating what you are. So many people waste time hating what makes them different. But if you are really willing to own what makes you unique, then good things can happen. That would be the message I want them to come away with.
KW: Patricia also says: You have tried several different aspects of the entertainment business. Is there another you would like to try in the future? How about directing?
RM: I just did this tour playing theaters all by myself, which was really scary, but I ended up loving it. I always thought I was only good at a couple things and felt it was best to play it safe by staying in my wheelhouse. However, this tour challenged me in a way I kinda’ enjoyed, so you never know. Every Oprah has her Color Purple.
KW: Harriet Pakula-Teweles says: Ross, it’s possible that, at first, most of your fans were laughing at you. But your “stick-to-it”-iveness eventually had them laughing with you. Good show! What are your plans to transition from Leno?
RM: I knew what I was, kind of like a high-pitched, gay cartoon with a Middle American TV audience. So, I had to get them to laugh with me by the end. In the early days, that was a struggle every piece. It was stressful, because I never knew whether I was going to get another assignment. But they did, and I’ve been doing Leno for twelve years, and I’ve developed a great relationship with the E! Network where I’ll be doing my new talk show produced by Chelsea Handler. It’s going to hit the airwaves in the Fall.
KW: Congratulations! What’s the show’s format?
RM: Yeah, it’s really cool. There are so many shows that look at Pop Culture and tear it down, saying, “Isn’t that lame?”“He’s stupid! or “She’s stupid!” But I love pop culture. I want to create a place that’s interactive where we can talk it out. It’s about the fans. When I have Gwyneth Paltrow on my show, I’ll interview her first, then go into the audience and let them ask her questions. I envision it as a place where Pop Culture and fans can come together.
KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?
RM: Omigosh! What are you wearing.
KW: Okay, what are you wearing?
RM: [LOL] Pajamas. I’m in a hotel room in Chicago.
KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?
RM: I’ve never thought about it, but no. In my experience, I always just leapt, and felt, “What happens, happens. I’ll be fine.” I do see fear in a lot of friends and in people who email me or tweet me. I don’t think fear ever really factors in with successful people. They just take the leap. I might feel fear over things I couldn’t control, like health, or in the middle of a disaster.
KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?
RM: Yes, very happy.
KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?
RM: I’m traveling with my partner of five years, Salvador, and we laugh constantly. We shared a good laugh in the elevator last night after I did an impression of someone.
KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?
RM: Happy hour and an early bedtime.
KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?
RM: “Then Again” by Diane Keaton . It was really good.
KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What was the last song you listened to?
RM: “Whistle” by Flo Rida. It’s the ringtone on my cell phone.
KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?
RM: Nana’s Potatoes.
KW: Oh, yeah, the dish you cook every Thanksgiving with Corn Flakes on top. You share the recipe for it in the book.
RM: It sounds so trashy, but it’s my “go to” dish. It’s soooooo good!
KW: The Kerry Washington question: If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
RM: I’m obsessed with her show “Scandal.” I would be one of my dogs. They eat better than I eat... they have more clothes than I have… and go to the doctor more than I do.
KW: The Sanaa Lathan question: What excites you?
RM: Achievement… Success... Crossing something off my life wish list.
KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?
RM: Here’s the thing. People think I’m a super-fashionista because I do E! and tell it like it is when I’m on the red carpet. But in real life, I’m content wearing slip-on shoes and a zip-up hoodie or a windbreaker. And I love a bargain.
KW: The Mike Pittman question: What was your best career decision?
RM: To just be myself the first time Jay Leno asked me to go out and cover an event. To take that risk and do it my way, a way no one had ever done it before.
KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?
RM: A double chin.
KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?
RM: Selfishly, to have my dad back. But, if it weren’t just for me, I’d like to eliminate poverty.
KW: The Jamie Foxx question: If you only had 24 hours to live, what would you do? Would you do the bad stuff, you never got a chance to do, or would you do good stuff to make sure you make it into heaven?
RM: I would go wherever mom was with my dogs and Salvador. And I would eat as much pizza as I could while watching Steel Magnolias. Pizza’s my favorite thing. But I rarely eat it, because I always feel horribly guilty afterwards.
KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?
RM: Playing in the fields behind my house with my brother at about 4 or 5. I also remember being tricked by my brother one New Year’s Eve, when my dad brought home a stuffed animal for us to share. My brother offered to let me play with it “until next year.” Then he took it back the very next day, saying, “Okay, it’s a new year, so now it’s mine.”
KW: The Anthony Mackie question: Isthere something that you promised to do if you became famous, that you still haven’t done yet?
RM: I promised myself that I’d host an award show. I haven’t done that yet.
KW: The Melissa Harris-Perry question:How did your first big heartbreak impact who you are as a person?
RM: My first big heartbreak was right after college. It really hurt and toughened me up so that everything after that seemed more doable. So, it sort of gave me some calluses on my heart.
KW: The Viola Davis question: What’s the difference between who you are at home as opposed to the person you pretend to be on the red carpet?
RM: Funny! For me it’s all the same. It’s different for actors and actresses, because they have to have a certain air of glamour about them. My whole thing is that I’m a liaison for the fans, and if I pretended to be someone different, it would never work.
KW: The Anthony Anderson question: If you could have a superpower, which one would you choose?
RM: A reverse-calorie superpower that would enable me to make fattening foods healthy.
KW: The Judyth Piazza question: What key quality do you believe all successful people share?
RM: If you’re going to be successful, you’re going to be successful. Successful people don’t let anything get in their way. A square peg fits perfectly into a round hole for them.
KW: The Gabby Douglas question: If you had to choose another profession, what would that be?
RM: Hairstyling.
KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
RM: Anyone who wants to follow in my footsteps should consider looking somewhere else, because my story was so unique. Most people who come to Hollywood get headshots, find an agent and go to auditions. Being an intern and getting plucked like I was is so rare. It doesn’t really happen.
KW: The Tavis Smiley question: How do you want to be remembered?
RM: As someone who put something good out. That’s the whole reason I worked so hard on this book, and fought so hard to do it the way I did it. I wanted to plant a seed of positivity. When I was a kid, I didn’t know what it meant to be a successful, grown-up gay person, because I didn’t see it. The role models weren’t on TV for me back then. So, I would hope that I am sort of setting an example, and not just for gays. My message is a universal one of self-acceptance. Whatever you are, you need to love it
KW: Thanks again for the time, Ross, and best of luck with the book, the talk show and everything else.
RM: Thank you so much, Kam, for the fun interview.
Man of Steel
Film Review by Kam Williams
To my generation, Superman was just “a strange visitor from another planet” who was “faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound“ in “a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way.” But in this age of information, audiences want to know a lot more about a superhero’s backstory.
Furthermore, what passed for special f/x on the original TV show were cheesy flying sequences in which support wires were plainly visible to the naked eye. And the underwhelming fight scenes generally ended when the bumbling villain with little imagination ran out of bullets and threw his pistol at the Man of Steel’s chest in sheer frustration.
Over the intervening years, Superman has been revived twice on television (Lois & Clark and Smallville) and five times on the big screen. This sixth film version stars Henry Cavill in the title role opposite Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Russell Crowe as Jor-El, Laurence Fishburne as a black Perry White, and Rebecca Buller as a gender-bent Jenny, not Jimmy, Olsen.
Director Zack Snyder (Dawn of the Dead) has ostensibly envisioned Man of Steel as a reboot of the storied franchise, given that plans are already in the works for the character to reappear in an adaptation of DC Comics’ Justice League slated for 2015. Thus, like a lot of other origins tales, this episode devotes considerable attention to an explanation of Superman’s roots.
The picture’s point of departure is Krypton where we find the parents (Crowe and Ayelet Zurer) of the planet’s first naturally-conceived child in centuries secretly sending their newborn on an otherwise unmanned spaceship headed to Earth. This development doesn’t sit well with genetic engineer General Zod (Michael Shannon), a megalomaniac in charge of deciding which of Krypton’s bloodlines are allowed to continue, and this renegade’s definitely isn’t one of them.
The rocket crash lands in the cornfields of Jonathan (Kevin Costner) and Martha Kent (Diane Lane), a kindly couple who proceed to raise the baby as their own. Of course, Clark isn’t like other boys, and he does his best to harness and hide his superpowers, although they occasionally come in handy like when he rescues a school bus full of students that’s sinking in a river.
The plot thickens when aliens arrive from Krypton with annihilation in mind. Not surprisingly, they’re led by none other than the diabolical Zod, who commandeers the mass media, spouting typical invasion malarkey warning the “People of Earth” that resistance is futile. Not if Superman has something to say about it.
At this juncture, the action the kids have been waiting for finally kicks into high gear, with a spectacular battle royal replete with dizzying technical wizardry and acrobatic dexterity mercifully replacing the pretentious dialogue laced with lots of pseudo-scientific babble. Ultimately, good triumphs over evil, ala the American way, and Superman survives to defend truth and justice in upcoming sequels and spinoffs.
A righteous, riveting relaunch leaving no doubt that, even after 80 years, you still don’t tug on Superman’s cape!
Very Good (3 stars)
Rated PG-13 for profanity, sci-fi violence and intense action sequences
Running time: 143 minutes
Distributor: Warner Brothers
The Purge
Film Review by Kam Williams
The setting is America in 2022, a disturbing dystopia where the prisons are even more overcrowded than we find them today. Consequently, the overwhelmed authorities have come up with a unique way of dealing with crime, namely, designating one night a year on which the rule of law is suspended, and anything is legal, even murder.
The idea is that, with the cops turning their heads the other way, armed vigilantes can indulge their bloodlust and dispense justice simultaneously, thereby doing society a favor by ridding the streets of vermin. However, this means that it isn’t safe to be outside during that very dangerous 12-hour period known as The Purge.
For that reason, James Sandin (Ethan Hawke) has carefully barricaded his family inside its heavily-fortified mansion. Besides outfitting the house with a state of the art security system, the wealthy homeowner has purchased a couple of guns just in case an intruder still manages to break in post-lockdown.
But that seems highly unlikely once James punches in the computerized code, thereby dropping bulletproof steel shields over all the windows and doors. As the 7 PM siren signals the start of the gruesome festivities, he settles down with wife Mary (Lena Headey), son Charlie (Max Burkholder) and daughter Zoey (Adelaide Kane) in front of a bank of video surveillance monitors to watch whether anyone attempts to enter the premises.
What they didn’t bargain for was Zoey’s boyfriend Henry (Tony Oller) hiding in her bedroom, or the sight of a wounded, homeless black man (Edwin Hodge) on the perimeter of the premises begging for sanctuary from a bloodthirsty mob. Soon, the boundary is irreversibly breached when kindhearted Charlie lets the stranger inside at a moment of weakness, leading to a terrifying ordeal that lasts till dawn.
So unfolds The Purge, a futuristic horror flick written and directed bv James DeMonaco (Little New York). His riveting thriller plays much bigger than a picture shot on a relatively-modest budget of just $3 million.
Be ready to scream at the top of your lungs in response to the spine-tingling fare cleverly edited to make you jump out of your seat when you least expect to. Meanwhile, the picture proves to be equally thought-provoking, given the philosophical questions it raises via a most unusual method of social engineering.
A cerebral screamfest certain to give you goosebumps!
Excellent (3.5 stars)
Rated R for profanity and disturbing violence
Running time: 85 minutes
Distributor: Universal Pictures