MOVIES

Road To The Oscars- GQ’s “Style Guy” Glenn O’Brien

Oscar Season is in full swing! The nominees have been announced, the fashions are being critiqued and gagged over on a weekly basis now (SAG’s, Golden Globes, Critics Choice) all leading up to the big night in February when The 2015 Oscars are held live.

When it comes to mens styling in all forms of the word, trust no other than the GQ “Style Guy” himself- Glenn O’Brien. A writer of not only fashion but art and culture, he even wrote a book about style with the name nickname, “Style Guy”. Glenn was nice enough to sit down with Manhattan Digest to discuss all the hooplah around award season, who his best dressed has been so far, and why Dove Men + Care is a great solution for the everyday man to feel like a star. Take a look.

Hey Glenn, thanks for stopping by! So with award season in full effect, have you noticed a trend with the male stars on the carpet?

So far into this season the men seem to be going for a more traditional tux look and less of the lone wolf experimental fashion trend. We’ve seen mostly black and midnight blue traditional tuxes, and the bow tie seems to have taken some ground back from the long tie—and it really does look a lot better. We
also see that beards have gone mainstream, but men on the whole seem better groomed—even allowing for the fact that these are actors who may be in the middle of playing a mountain man or
medieval king.

You are known as the “Style Guy” at GQ. What 4 keywords would you use to describe a guy having really great style and why?

Great style is about individuality, a personal taste (not a hired stylist’s taste,) a relaxed attitude and attention to detail (in dressing and grooming.)

In terms of styling who has gotten it right so far this year and who do you think needs some improvement?

I would give the men from whole awards season so far a B plus for looking formal and proper, for dressing for the occasion and not maximum media exposure. For some reason some of the older guys really get it right—Michael Keaton looks incredible fit, wears his clothes perfectly and his grooming minimizes his age and his, well, dearth of hair. Jeff Goldblum looked better than anyone—elegant and fit with old Hollywood level elegance. I think the super-skinny suit and thin tie sometimes backfires. It made Justin Theroux look a bit Pee Wee Herman. Ty Burrell wore a vest with his tux, avoiding the white shirt showing under the jacket button like Jim Parsons and so many others. Look at Zach
Galifianakis—he looked so good he could turn into a romantic leading man.

Do you think men should go outside the grain and try some pops of color on the red carpet, like Jared Leto just did at the Critics Choice Awards a little while back?

It’s risky. Adrian Brody in all that silver and black looked like he was at a Long Island wedding. Matthew McConaughey was handsome and well groomed, but his medium blue jacket had a pattern that strobed, and if you’re going to wear a vest which is fine, I prefer a jacket that’s buttoned.

Glenn O'Brien, Manhattan Digest, GQ — Credit to: Glenn O’Brien

What advice do you give to men who aspire to look like their favorite male celebrity?

The man walking these red carpets range from teenagers to real veterans like Robert Duvall, but they all owe a lot of their success to the ability to look good at all times. If you’re not acting, you’re up for casting. You have to always be on, always be ready. That means cleansing your face properly. Dove Men+Care Clean + Face Scrub cleans deep, it exfoliates with pumice, and it moisturizes—leaving the skin not only clean and lively but natural looking.

Any products you recommend them trying?

I would recommend Dove Men+Care Fortifying Styling Gel—which helps achieve a defined, strong hold—for quite a few of these guys. James Righton’s hair shot straight up in the air. He definitely looked taller than Keira Knightly, his gal, but I would have liked to see a more polished style. Ed Norton could have used a bit more hair control. Eddie Redmayne also has a slightly complex hairstyle, but his looked right because it was artfully tousled and stayed in place, which is why men use a good styling product. For texture and volume I like the Dove Men+Care Fortifying Styling Paste. It gives structure without being shiny. And the Dove Thickening Spray Gel gives you shape without stiffness or stickiness.

For Dove Men + Care are there products you recommend men trying during the harsh winter season?

Winter is all about moisturizing, so I like a rich cream. Dove Men+Care has a new Ultra-Hydrating Cream, which keeps skin moisturized for 24 hours.

Anything else to add?

The men are lucky they don’t get asked to go on the “shoe cam” or the “mani-cam.”

For more on Glenn, check out his official site. For more on Dove Men + Care, check out theirs.

Manhattan Center Continues To Rock Through 2015

by Ryan Shea

With the gentrification going on in Manhattan, especially Times Square, we are seeing so many iconic music establishments close as the years pass by. Most recently we have seen The Roseland Ballroom close its doors, and of course the legendary CBGB in 2006, both closed with incredible performances by Lady Gaga and Patti Smith, respectively. However there is still one that not only remains open but has also kept up with the changing times and stayed modern throughout- that is the epic Manhattan Center located right outside Penn Station on West 34th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue.

The Manhattan Center is home to two pretty recognizable arenas- the Hammerstein Ballroom and the Grand Ballroom, as well as two different Television and Audio Studios. I had the chance to experience two huge events recently at the Manhattan Center, one being an amazing concert put on by British Songstress Lily Allen over the summer that was taped for the hit PBS series “Live From The Artist’s Den” and most recently the season finale of the Dave Navarro Show “Ink Master”, which airs on Spike TV.

Manhattan Center, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Manhattan Center

This year, The Manhattan Center celebrates as well with a fresh executive team to reposition the studios in the corporate and social structure as well as renovations to offer a facelift to the esteemed property. Markus Karr, who was recently promoted to president from vice president of the studios, is at the helm with newly appointed director of sales and marketing, Jessica Rothstein Berman. Together, the two will position the Manhattan Center as THE event space for all corporate and social functions in addition to working with the New Yorker Hotel complex in the expansion of both facilities.

I was fortunate enough to tour the venue itself and to say it is Grand is a huge understatement. It is large enough to hold events of all kinds, albeit a music superstar or a conference that can fit hundreds with room to grow. They also have a ton of upcoming gigs including Grammy nominated crooner Hozier, who is currently topping the charts with his hit “Take Me To Church” on March 22nd, and English Singer-Songwriter Ben Howard on January 30th. Both will take place at the Hammerstein Ballroom. Definitely worth the trip down on the 1/2/3, A/C/E with your friends and seeing what all the fuss is about.

For more information on The Manhattan Center, log on to their official site.

Road To The Oscars: Birdman’s Alex Dinelaris

by Peter Foy

Birdman has become one of the most unexpected successes of this awards season. The highly original film about a washed-up superhero actor’s attempt at making a play has been called a visual feast, a poetic contemporary fable, and a great comeback film for star Michael Keaton. One of the lesser said things about Birdman, however, is that it marks the cinematic breakthrough for Alex Dinelaris, one of the film’s four screenplay writers.

The New York-based playwright has had some acclaimed stage-plays over the last few years (including a musical version of the film The Bodyguard), and now is the proud owner of a Golden Globe for Birdman. He’s now taking on numerous projects over several different mediums, and is now an Oscar nominee for Birman. He took some time out of his day to speak with Manhattan Digest, about the film’s unexpected response, his future prospects, and his admiration for those he works with.

Manhattan Digest, Birdman, Alex Dinelaris — Credit to: Alex Dinelaris

How did you become involved with this project?

I’m a playwright here in New York. Alejandro González Iñárritu (the director) had read my play Still Life, and asked me to work with him on his film Biutiful. I helped out with the first few drafts for the film, but the final script was eventually written by my future friends, and Birdman cohorts, Nicolás Giacobone and Armando Bo. Then, three years ago Alejandro called me and said he wanted to get working on Birdman which he called a “one-take dark comedy”, and asked me to work on the script with him. I immediately said yes.

Yeah, one of the most discussed aspects of Birdman is how the film is edited/shot to look like it was all done it one take. Did the film look as you envisioned it would when you were writing the screenplay?

It looked exactly as we imagined. Alejandro had a specific vision right from the start, it was just a matter of writing a script that fit the form. We were then blessed to work with one of the very best directors of photography in the business, Emmanuel (Chivo) Lubezki. He and Alejandro brought the film to life.

Getting more into your expectations for Birdman, did you expect to see the movie gain as much success as it did?

(Laughs) Not in the very slightest. We knew it was experimental, and we doubted that it would appeal to a broad commercial audience. I told a friend days before the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival that if we got booed off stage, I wouldn’t be surprised. Instead we got a standing ovation and glowing reviews, and we were all genuinely shocked.

Four people are credited on this screenplay. What areas of the script do you feel you were most responsible for?

Alejandro had the vision and a specific idea of what he wanted to do, Armando is very visual and this was going to be a visual film, Nico and I put all of our collective thoughts into script form. We all live in different locations, with me in New York, Alejandro in L.A, and Nico and Armando Bo in Buenos Aires. We would all Skype, and sometimes Nico and I would meet in person for a few days. Then when we solidified scenes we would bring them to Alejandro, he’d give notes, and then we’d argue it out, in the best sense. I was the one writer with a theater background, so I suppose you could say I brought my personal experience to that arena, if anything. And, as I am the one of us who is English, first language, perhaps more of the final dialogue fell on me. But, really it was a group effort from the start.

What future projects can we expect from you now ?

The whole Birdman gang is creating a TV series for Starz called The One Percent, which is a one-hour drama. It will star Ed Helms, Hilary Swank, and Ed Harris, and will premiere next year. Other than that, we’re all talking about what’s next for us to do film-wise. Next year I’ll be working on a film with Guillermo del Toro which is currently untitled. I also wrote a script entitled The Year of the Monarchs and it looks like we’ll be producing it next year. In the world of theater, I wrote the book for a Musical called On Your Feet, which is about Emilio and Gloria Estefan, and will be directed by Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Hairspray). That is set to open on Broadway in October.

You mentioned working with Guillermo del Toro on a project, which is interesting as he’s basically considered part of the same league that Alejandro is in, as a renowned Mexican film director working in Hollywood. Do you think this trend of Mexican filmmakers is going to continue?

I think we just came upon this whole class of filmmakers and Mexican artists that are thriving at the same time. They all have their own style and vision, but they are each brilliant in their own way, and have a strong passion for film itself.

Alex Dinelaris, Manhattan Digest, Birdman — Credit to: Alex Dinelaris

Any closing words you’d like to make?

I feel blessed to work with these people, and I couldn’t be happier with the response and praise this film has received. The real win was getting an impossible film made with great cast members, crew and producers, but I never expected it to be such an awards contender.

Want to know more about Alex Dinelaris? Follow him on Twitter @alexdinelaris.

Goldstar: Making Events More “App”ealing

by Ryan Leeds

Do you have friends and acquaintances who sit in their apartments, complain that they are always broke, and announce that there is nothing to do? Now you can resist the urge to smack them in the head and send them back to their native mid-America state by informing them about Goldstar’s brand new Android App. Wait! What is Goldstar? Thank you for asking! Goldstar is both a free website and app which provides listings of shows, concerts, events, dinner cruises, theater and tons of other fun stuff to do in the city–at a fraction of what you’d pay for the full price ticket. Since 2002 this California based company has connected with over 5,000 venues in cities across the United States. Recently, they’ve rolled out in Pittsburgh, PA, Detroit, MI, and are making plans to engage in more medium sized markets.

Goldstar CEO Jim McCarthy recognized the demand from customers to make usage more mobile. As of September 2014, 63% of its’ users were accessing the services on either smartphones or tablets. With the launch of this Android App, McCarthy and his team are making access even more effortless. “Now, Goldstar is there when people think about what they want to do,” he said. It should be noted, however, that the app is not strictly limited to Android. It can work across all other devices as well. Sorry, Gramps…this does not mean your rotary phone!

The new app features include an even wider array of events, reviews from other members who have already attended the event, and a new “sit with friends” option. This means that your friends can buy tickets individually, but you can still sit together. This way, you won’t get stiffed by cheapskate companions who either don’t show up or won’t pay you back. As always, deals are available almost up to the last minute and entry tickets will be sent immediately to your device. Unless the deal is sold out, in which case, you probably should’ve planned better.

Download the app now, sign up for deals and emails, and enjoy a city which is abundant with non-stop activity–at discounted prices. If your buddies continue to mope around like Eeyore, find new friends!

To download the Android app, click https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goldstar. On other devices, simply locate “Goldstar” and download.

For more information about Goldstar, visit http://www.goldstar.com

For more information about sitting at home doing nothing, I can’t help you.

Movie Review: “Some Kind of Spark”

by Ryan Leeds

Some Kind of Spark. Photo courtesy of Plow Productions.

Since they’ve been introduced to our culture , the performing arts have long been viewed as something reserved soley for affluent high society. It stands to reason, then, why individuals who have not had exposure from a young age would not acquire the appreciation nor interest: The arts seem “too bourgeois” or “out of reach.”

Thankfully, Joseph W. Polisi, President of the prestigious Julliard School recognized that this was a problem. In 1991, after the budget for music education was slashed in New York City public schools, Polisi implemented the Music Advancement Program (MAP). 40 students between the ages of 8 to 14 were chosen from underserved communities and each Saturday, they would work one on one with an instructor, learning about musicianship and their musical instrument. The program not only nurtured an awareness and knowledge for classical music, but it taught self-respect and responsibility.

Twenty three years later, the program continues to thrive and filmmaker Ben Niles has captured the experience of a small group of these students in his documentary Some Kind of Spark which recently premiered at the Fifth Annual DOC NYC competition. NIles should be commended for bringing awareness to this phenomenal program and he stated that he “wanted to try and make my own impact through this film.” On most accounts, he has succeeded. With excellent segments of music lessons, Niles shows the dedication and endless support these teachers have showered upon their students. The bond they establish over this three year period is personal and powerful. What these gifted teachers give to these aspiring young musicians is life-altering and powerful. Yet Niles could do more to elaborate on the personal background and lives of these students. The home lives and personal struggles tend to be glossed over. Were there a more rounded view, the film would leave an even greater impact. Still, Niles has shed light on this impressive program and proves that there is not one socioeconomic rule over the arts. It is, and should be for anyone–and exposure to them should start at an early age, so that they develop a life long appreciation.

For more information about the film and to follow upcoming showtimes, visit: http://www.somekindofspark.com. For more information about the film festival, running through November 20, visit http://www.docnyc.net

Victoria Clark: From Demure Diva of Broadway to Sizzling Cinematic Chef

by Ryan Leeds

Victoria Clark and Karl Geary. Image courtesy of Sharon Greytak

Victoria Clark is a gifted and fortunate actor. Unlike many of her colleagues who wait tables and do odd jobs between gigs, Clark is a tireless performer whose 3o plus year acting career has taken her from a debut in the 1985 Broadway production of Sunday in the Park with George to Mrs. Beane, a termagant passenger in 1997’s Tony Award winning Titanic. She also took home a Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama League Award for her sensitive portrayal of a woman coming to terms with her own regrets in The Light in the Piazza. Most recently, she waved a magic wand and made dreams come true as the Fairy Godmother in Broadway’s Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

Now, Clark is showing a completely different side of herself in the new independent movie Archaeology of a Woman, opening this Friday at Manhattan’s Village East Cinema. The film has already received critical acclaim and director Sharon Greytak has been touted by The Independent as one of “10 filmmakers to watch in 2014.” In it, Clark plays Kate, a rising culinary star in the New York City restaurant scene. Just when life seems to be falling into place, Kate’s world is altered by her mother, Margaret, a spitfire who is recently diagnosed with dementia. Oscar nominee and Golden Golden Globe winner Sally Kirkland portrays this complicated woman who is keeping secrets buried in the archives of her troubled mind.

Greytak had tapped Clark to be in her film and after meeting at a Greek restaurant and talking it through, both decided that it would be a good fit. Clark had a personal connection with the subject of Alzheimer’s and dementia, having had a grandmother who battled it through the last year of her life. “She lived with us growing up and she was my best friend” Clark recalls. “She lived to be 102 years old, but the last year of her life, she had a doll that she carried with her and talked to. On her 100th birthday, she went around the room, reciting the names and praying for all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, so there was a stark contrast between that and what can happen when the machine starts to break down.” For Kate (her film character), life happens before she is ready. “It’s one of those times in life that we’ve all experienced where all the bad stuff happens at the same time.” And yet, in the film, Kate does find an outlet for life’s stressors by engaging in dalliances with a young police offer, played by the smoldering Karl Geary. (Audiences may remember him as the Irish doorman who is seduced by Samantha in an episode of TV’s Sex and the City). “I’m NEVER cast as the woman having sex,” Clark laughs. “But this is one of the reasons why I wanted to do the film. I get to show that side of myself and that character, which is really interesting. That is what (Kate) does to have fun.”

Clark’s portrayal of a chef, however, is more closely aligned with her personal interests. “My grandmother was a fantastic country cook and I spent many years in the kitchen helping to bake and also preparing cobblers, pies, and salads. My best friend and I were always trying new things. We made a whole pan of bakalava once. We even toasted the pistachios! Our families (in Dallas, Texas) were like ‘What is that?!!?” We said, “It’s an exotic Greek pastry!” But they didn’t like it, so we sat down and proceeded to eat the entire tray!” Admittedly, Clark confesses to being a less than tidy cook, whereas Kate is precise. “My fiance would prefer that I didn’t cook because I am so messy, but I love it. I like the process of it and find it so relaxing.”

Most actors prefer stage or screen but for Clark, she views each as uniquely different. “I am much more familiar with stage. To me, it’s like coming home. I’ve been doing it for so long and it’s a very familiar and comforting medium because you tell the complete story every day. There is something so nice about that. At 8:05, come hell or high water or whether you feel good or bad, we’re going to start telling a story and at 10:30, you take your costume off and there is something so lovely about the routine of that. Film appeals to a part of me that doesn’t like routine so much. You have to take things out of order and that takes a completely different skill set. Both are moment to moment and you have to stay focused, but in terms of the technique, both are very different, challenging, and fun. I hope that this experience will open up more doors for me to do more film work.”

Clark finds herself attracted to roles with strong women characters. “I like characters where an individual is just going about his or her life and then they have an opportunity to make a choice and do something that is impactful. I’m really drawn to those stories. I’m not gonna play a super model or an Olympic athlete. As an actor, I think about how I can make an impact in my chosen profession. How can I best use my time on this planet in a way that both enriches and elevates the human condition? I know that sounds a little ‘out there’, but I think about that all the time. Are the projects I’m choosing going to allow me to help anyone?”

Angela Lansbury, Emma Thompson, Michael J. Fox, Michael C. Hall, Mary Beth Peil, Cherry Jones are just a handful of Clark’s colleagues whom she has deep admiration. “All of them have dedicated their lives to the craft of acting and each of them have unbelievable senses of humor. I admire their strength. longevity, determination, and versatility. I’m really missing Joan Rivers today, too. (The interview occurred on Friday, September 5th, one day after Ms. Rivers passing). “She reinvented herself so many times and there will never be anyone even remotely like her. She was a true inspiration.” Working with Kirkland was also exciting for Clark. “She’s a fantastic person…lovely, funny, and brave on every level.”

When it comes to her craft and balancing her life, Clark offers some sage insights. “Life is full of ups and downs and you have to learn how to not be so in it. You have to distance yourself a little bit, change your perspective and say, ‘Ya know what…if you survive this, then you can survive the next horrible thing that happens to you. And then if you survive that, then you’ll survive the next horrible thing.’ It’s not that life is a series of horrible things, but our characters grow and that’s how learn. It’s no fun when you see them coming down the pike, but you get through. I’m not going to lie. It can be a challenge to balance all of these things, but a lot of it is just coming back to a sense of humor and breathing and asking what really needs to happen in the day. Sometimes life can be crunchy in the way the calendar falls. In this business, it is either feast or famine. People only want you when you can’t be there.”

Clark’s point was beautifully illustrated by life itself. Prior to our interview, she just learned that she was called to an audition and politely apologized for the brevity. Chances are good that this accomplished screen and stage stalwart will continue to dine at the feast of working actors.

Archaeology of a Woman opens this Friday, September 12th at Village East Cinema (189 2nd Ave. at 12th Street) For tickets and information, visit: http://www.villageeastcinema.com/ . To view the trailer, go to: http://bit.ly/1oldSDb .

Broadway Barks: A “Fluff” Piece

by Ryan Leeds

Bernadette Peters and James Franco. Photo courtesy of Ryan Leeds

Tourists, residents, and Broadway aficionados all had reason to “paws” in the center of the theater district this past Saturday as celebrities and shelter animals took to Shubert alley for an event which left every spectator “feline” fine.

For the past 16 years, screen and stage star Bernadette Peters has spearheaded Broadway Barks , an event which raises awareness for shelter animals and encourages their adoption. Peters co-founded the organization with her long time friend and fellow celeb Mary Tyler Moore and was cheerfully present on Saturday afternoon, July 12th. She spoke briefly to Manhattan Digest, “It’s very important for everyone in the world to give attention where it is needed, and if something sparks your interest that needs help, I think you should try to do something about it.” Peters is the proud owner of a dog, Charlie, who apparently yodles at home with the songstress.While the rest of us beg, borrow, and steal to see this stage legend in concert, Charlie gets serenaded by Sondheim simply for showing up to food bowl- Lucky dog! Peters authored two children’s books based on her love for man’s best friend (“Broadway Barks” and “Stella is a Star”) and will release a third in Spring 2015.

Dogs weren’t the only four legged creatures hopeful to find a home. Bebe Neuwirth (Chicago) and James

Bebe Neuwirth. Photo courtesy of Ryan Leeds

Franco (Of Mice and Men) flaunted a “purr-fectly” adorable kitty, eager to live the rest of its lives (plural) in New York domesticity. Aladdin’s genie and recent Tony award winner James Monroe Iglehart was also on hand to aid in the cause. “This is my first year,” he told Manhattan Digest. “I’m a rookie, but I’m proud to be involved. I used to work at Memphis, which was here at the Shubert Theater, and I used to see the event happen. I thought it was so cool that they were doing it, so when they asked me to be a part of it, I jumped at the chance.” Iglehart is the proud owner of two finicky cats, Zoe and Missy. “They don’t even go outside when it’s cold. They just look and decide that they’ll stay inside to watch all the birds flying by.” Others, like Ciare Renee (Pippin) were there to show support , but were not pet owners themselves. “I don’t have any pets” she said. “I just pretend that Barnum (pictured below) is my dog.” When asked if she was taking any home with her, she said , “I wish! But I think my roomate would be mad!”

L-R Kyle Dean Massey, Ciara Renee, and Rachel Bay Jones with Barnum. Photo courtesy of Ryan Leeds

Zach Braff (Bullets Over Broadway), Jessie Mueller (Beautiful) , Justin Guarini and Mary Testa (Wicked) , Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess (Phantom of the Opera), Audra McDonald (Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill) and many others offered their time and talents to the cause by performing at the notorious venue, located between 44th and 45th streets. While the summer sun poured onto the city streets, few found little to “growl” about as New York City shelters and adoption agencies found happy homes for many eternally grateful animals- and that’s no shih tzu! For now, this journalist must sign off. With all of these obviously tacky puns, this story has gone to the dogs. Groan!

Jessie Mueller. Photo courtesy of Ryan Leeds

Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess. Phpto courtesy of Ryan Leeds

James Monroe Iglehart. Photo courtesy of Ryan Leeds

Charlie Harding- On “Proxy”, Transitioning and More

by Ryan Shea

Charlie Harding, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Charlie Harding

Charlie Harding is someone who has truly made a name for himself and his brand over the past couple of years. Dominating the gay adult world, he is loved by thousands of his fans for his stunning looks and great performances, in many different ways than one. On top of being a great performer in the adult world, he is also a fabulous writer and an all around smart guy who knows how to take lemons and turn them into lemonade.

Now that he has made his mark on the adult world, he is transitioning himself into the mainstream world with his first big role in the Brandon Deyette directed “Proxy”, which is set to be released later on this year. As a fan of Charlie Harding’s, I couldn’t wait to sit down with him and discuss the vital things that are going on in his life. He discusses everything from transitioning out of the gay porn world, his influences, how nervous he was when doing a role like this and why his future seems to have no limit in terms of his amazing abilities. Check it out.

So, your first mainstream role, that’s really exciting! What made you want to transition out of porn and go mainstream?

Let’s go back to the beginning. I always knew I wanted to be a performer, and the adult industry gave the quickest and easiest route to get started. I was able to create a loyal fan base, become a celebrity of sorts and then use that fame to springboard to other projects. It just feels like a natural progression as I grow as an entertainer and actor to transition from adult roles that are mostly physical acting to adding the depth of emotion and soul that mainstream projects call for.

Growing up did you ever have any icons that you looked up to on the big screen?

Well I have to say Julie Andrews has always been a huge icon to me. She takes performance to such an amazingly high level and always has such confidence in her roles. Sean Connery is another. Again, totally captivating in his efforts on screen, and has just an amazing persona. Of course others from more modern fare include Anne Hathaway, Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana and Peter Dinklage all are amazing performers I enjoy watching and hopefully can learn from as well.

Proxy, Charlie Harding, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Brandon Deyette

How did this movie fall into your lap?

Well, I am very active on social media, and my fans and friends are always chatting me up about things. I made a Facebook post about starting to look into mainstream opportunities, and one friend passed me to another who happened to be Brandon Deyette the director and writer for PROXY (www.proxyonfilm.com). We chatted about roles, personalities and such, and it all just fell into place.

Manhattan Digest, Charlie Harding, Proxy — Credit to: Brandon Deyette

Tell me about your character in the movie and what challenges he faces.

Well Tristan is a very frustrating guy. He cares immensely about his friends, and stinks at communicating effectively with them. He has his own demons and insecurities and drinks to much, but is a genuinely good guy inside. There are significant parallels to my own life that I pulled from when Brandon and I created Tristan’s back story. I developed the character all the way back to high school in Tristan’s life to piece together moments that would have been motivating factors in decisions he makes and reactions he has.

From my previous article, it looks like Brandon really has a lot of love and faith in you. How did it make you feel when you read that?

I cried. Literally. Brandon has an amazing talent for making you want to do great work. And going into this process, I was scared shitless. “Was I good enough?” and “Will anyone take me seriously?” are questions that kept me up at night. I worked hard to get into this role and truly become Tristan, and I’m so proud that Brandon is so excited about what I gave on film.

You recently uprooted yourself and your lovely partner from Atlanta to San Diego. How has that been going?

Amazing. San Diego is such a great fit for us. It’s the perfect mix of beaches, gorgeous weather, friendly people and relaxed attitude that we needed. We both feel revitalized and energized being here, and now that I’m only a short drive from LA, I can pursue this crazy acting dream more whole heartedly and without so many geographic boundaries.

Very few porn actors have been able to successfully transition themselves outside of porn and into the mainstream (Colton Ford is a shining exception in the gay world, its mainly ones in the straight porn world like Ron Jeremy, James Deen & Tracy Lords). How do you plan on following suit and making a name for yourself outside of the world you have been in for years now?

Well, hopefully my fan base will follow me over! Plus now I get to try and win over an even bigger number of folks to my team. I’m just a genuine guy, trying to make a dream come true, and I think people appreciate that. I keep getting told that I’m very relatable and easy to understand. I hope to do many more movie roles, super excited about the television show Brandon has in development, and look forward to being an entertaining addition to tons of creative projects.

Looking back on it, was your experience in porn more positive or negative?

It had both positives and negatives. The negatives: I get stereotyped constantly as trashy or of less value as a person because I did porn. The industry takes a toll on you and is not overall a healthy environment. It’s hard to overcome the stigma attached to porn actors and be taken seriously. Some people are put off as to how comfortable I am with my body and openly talking about sex.

The positives: I’m more sexually in tune with myself than I would be otherwise. I get to use my celebrity status to promote social causes and constantly raise money for charities. I’m someone folks seem to be comfortable talking to about all sorts of issues including STI’s and HIV, relationship advice, work out tips and more. I keep getting told I need to host an advice talk show! Without adult films, I wouldn’t be able to take this leap into my dream future!

What are your plans now in the movie biz?

I want to shoot more movies! And I am hoping to do television as well! I want to explore different sides of my personality and translate those into the characters I get to play. I’m currently agent shopping and looking forward to see where this all takes me. Currently I am looking for more projects, and serious inquiries can be made to [email protected] .

What are you hopeful for now that your future is looking brighter than ever?

WORLD PEACE! I’m hopeful I can be a source of inspiration and create quality entertainment for those who see my work. I want to promote the idea that I’m a serious actor no matter where I started. I want to have a voice and be a spokesperson for other people in the world.

You always have a lot going on business wise. Can you tell me about any side projects you have going on?

Well if you live in Southern California you should Facebook search “The Instigators Present.” We throw parties and social engagements, usually with a charity donation twist. I’m also about to release my first vocal single “Sex on the Dance Floor” on iTunes with the music video and multiple dance remixes soon to follow. I’m the spokesperson for www.charliehardingpresents.com a great source for readers of gay romance and erotica. I’m a spokesperson for the Tshirt company www.unicornmuscle.com (use code “HornyCharlie” for a VIP discount).

And my partner Scotty Rage and I are about to relaunch limited additions to our exclusive clothing line RAGE T’s.

And that’s just the stuff I can officially talk about!

Willow Creek – The Bigfoot Cometh

by Peter Foy

There aren’t too many comics that have made the sort of drastic career transition that Bobcat Goldthwait has. Known for being one of the most singular stand-up comedians of the 80s and 90s, Goldthwait then turned his attention to directing films in the 2000s. After putting World’s Greatest Dad and God Bless America under his belt, Goldthwait established a John Waters-esque identity for himself, specializing in dark comedies that were caustic, scathing, and (for lack of a better term) seriously fucked up on so many levels. Still, there’s no denying that the man’s ingenuity for off-beat concepts earned him critical recognition, particularly for World’s Greatest Dad, which can be seen as the black comedy that star Robin Williams had been looking to act in for decades now. When Goldthwait had revealed that his next film would be a found-footage horror-film in the vein of The Blair Witch Project, there was certainly a level of both shock and anticipation around the project, as it seemed like such an unlikely turn of genre for the director. Willow Creek turns out to be a film that explores both new and familiar territory for his oeuvre, although perhaps not in a manner that’s fully adroit.

Taking place in rural California, the film immediately introduces us to Jim (Bryce Johnson) and Kelly (Alexie Gilmore), an L.A. couple that’s going on an odd sort of nature hunt. Jim essentially playing the part of Agent Mulder, with his girlfriend naturally Agent Skully, has come to the wilderness equipped with a camera in hopes of capturing footage of Bigfoot. The first half of the film mostly involves these characters talking to townsfolk, and filming intellectual property related to the mythic creature, along with elongated scenes of Jim and Kelly debating on the reality of such a thing existing. The second half, however, is when the film fully adjusts into being a horror film, as the two protagonists find themselves alone in the wilderness, and things take a turn for the worst.

For a director known for bizarre concept and scathing satire, Willow Creek has an oddly pedestrian set-up. It’s a common-place idea for the genre in which a couple going on a trek in hopes of documenting a super-natural presence, and the film has a fare share of cliches in it. For me, one of the most eye-rolling scenes in the film came in a scene where Jim proposes to Kelly, as it appears to be nothing more than an attempt on the film for us to sympathize with these characters right before the shit inevitably hits the fan. Granted, there haven’t been too many serious films made about Bigfoot (Goldthwait has even referred to the film as “Scary and the Hendersons”), but that curio isn’t quite enough to subvert how hackneyed the whole film often feels. It’s also upsetting that Goldthwait casted such a typically good-looking actor and actress for the two leads, as while Johnson and Gilmore both give serviceable acting, it would have been nice to see this indie horror film featuring leads that were a bit more uncommon for the genre.

That said, Goldthwait reveals a few previously un-displayed talents here, particularly during the head-lined 20-minute long take. During this scene, Willow Creek is at it’s most suspenseful, and while it may resort to typical Hollywood-esque pop-out scares, its craft and nuance are enough to make it stand out amidst other films that use similar scare tactics. In addition, Goldwaith also does some interesting things with the style of found-footage, wisely realizing that the less gore shown the better (admittedly, a tactic that was also borrowed from The Blair Witch Project). Also, Goldthwait’s humor is very much appreciated, particularly in the film’s first half when it plays more like a mockumentary.

Despite Willow Creek’s central attempt at breathing new life into a tired horror sub-genre, the film works best when seen as a straight up horror film, rather than as any sort of social commentary or genre-film breakdown. For that reason, fans of Goldthwait’s may leave the theater disappointed, and even newcomers to the director may feel like they’ve witnessed something that was actually a bit of a lost opportunity. Still, the sprinkling of the un-conventional is what makes this otherwise normal horror movie really work, and it’s enough to make me speculate that Goldthwait has a real kick-ass film for us next time around.

We Are the Best – Is it?

by Peter Foy

We Are the Best! is a film about three Sweedish girls in their young teens who try to form a punk band, and that”s about it. It’s a concept that could have come off as esoteric, and uneventful, but the film instead speaks volumes in it’s simplicity and passion towards it’s subject matter. The film, is clearly coming from a very special place, as director Lukas Moodysson was around the same age as his three protagonists during the film’s time-period of the early 1980s, but he also is adapting his film from a graphic novel created by his wife Coco. For that reason, one would think the film would get by on authenticity and exuberance alone, and it effortlessly does!

Set in 1982, the film initially introduces us to the characters of Bobo (Mira Barkhammar) and Klara (Mira Grosin), the two protagonists that have already been drawn into punk culture. They’re ridiculed by their peers, and often uninterested in their school classes, so the two decide that they can turn their outsider-status into music. Upon realizing that they aren’t realizing their potential as a two-piece, they decide they need a third member, who they discover during a school talent show. The newest member becomes Hedvig (Liv LeMoyne) a christian girl who has been un-exposed to the punk lifestyle, but all three find themselves quite the group who will go through times both good and bad, all while keeping it pretty hard-core!

While Moodysson has directed many different types of film with varying tones, his initial works were mostly renowned for how youthful and sweet they felt. For that reason, We Are the Best! could be seen as a return to form for him, as the movie is unavoidably adorable. Despite the androgynous looks of it’s main characters (I’ll admit that when I saw the trailer I had falsely assumed the three leads to be male), the trio are just so cute to watch, and it’s actually because of their lack of musical talent. The band’s signature song “Hate the Sport”, is a haphazardly written and performed protest song against gym class, and it’s impossible not to laugh at it. Still, the movie is very meaningful too, as it addresses issues that punk bands have continuously addressed, but through the eyes of the very young. We see Klara, Bobo and Hedvig try to avoid labels or romantic disputes, but perhaps most interesting is the film’s material regarding religion. Hedvig’s Christian upbringing is much ridiculed by Klara due to her adherence to punk music’s typically atheistic proclivity, and the dialogue concerning this is some of the most provocative in the film (let it be known that Moodysson is a devout Catholic).

It’s also a piece that rings with authenticity. Shot in an unfussy style that’s reminiscent of Moodysson’s 2000 film Together, the film is shot in a low-key/low-budget manner, and it almost looks like it was actually made in 1982. The editing, however, is more kinetic, and scenes don’t tend to last long before going on to the next one (not unlike a punk album). Bravo too, towards the film’s three leads, as while none of them could have been born before 1995, they all seem to understand the era of the film, and are able to individualize all their characters, while also working synchronous chemistry upon each other.

To call We Are the Best! a coming of age story would be remiss. The three leads hardly mature during the storyline, and any problems they have are more-or-less easily resolved as their issues are the typically inconsequential ones that all young people find tumultuous at the giving moment. Instead, We Are the Best! is a celebration of the excitement of youthful exploration, particularly of those embarking out on a bohemian lifestyle. It would be more apropos to call We Are the Best! a feel good movie though, as the thought of leaving this theater with anything less than a huge grin on your face would seem churlish. A must-see, even for those who don’t favor the music genre.

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