Noah Baumbach is one of the most interesting and creative writer/directors working in cinema today and his new film Frances Ha, which opens in theaters on May 17th, proves it!

Baumbach first gained attention as a writer and director in the mid-‘90s for a string of independent movies including Kicking and Screaming, Highball, and Mr. Jealousy. But it was his 2005 film The Squid and the Whale that earned him an Academy Award-nomination for Best Original Screenplay and put him on the map in Hollywood as an important filmmaker. 

Since then, Baumbach has collaborated with equally eclectic filmmaker Wes Anderson to pen two of the director’s best movies, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, and Fantastic Mr. Fox, in addition to co-writing last summer’s hit family film Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted with director Eric Darnell. He also went on to make two more movies as a filmmaker including Margot at the Wedding with Nicole Kidman and Jack Black, as well as the critically acclaimed Greenberg starring Ben Stiller. 

His new film, Frances Ha, features quirky young actress Greta Gerwig as a 27-year-old dancer named Frances who lives with her best friend Sophie (Mickey Sumner). But when Sophie moves out in order to live with her new boyfriend, Frances’ world spins out of control and the young dancer is forced to figure out how to live her life without the constant companionship of her best friend. Baumbach co-wrote the screenplay with Gerwig, who gives an impressive and commanding performance. While the film was shot digitally in color, it was was converted to black-and-white to emulate other New York set movies by classic filmmakers like Woody Allen, and Jim Jarmusch. 

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with filmmaker Noah Baumbach to talk about his work on Frances Ha. The acclaimed writer and director discussed his new movie, the decision to shoot it digitally yet convert it to black-and-white, the affects that choice had on set, the intricate process of color conversion, and his friendship with mentor and legendary filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich. 

Opening in theaters on May 17th is the new horror/thriller Black Rock, which was helmed by actress Katie Aselton (Jeff, Who Lives at Home) and written by her husband, director Mark Duplass (The Do-Deca-Pentathlon). In addition to Aselton, the film also stars actresses Kate Bosworth (Superman Returns) and Lake Bell (What Happens in Vegas).

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Katie Aselton and Lake Bell to talk about their work on Black Rock. The two filmmaker/actresses discussed their new film, it's resemblance to Deliverance, Bell's opportunity to play a supernaturally strong character, how Aselton broke the story with husband Mark Duplass, why the script doesn't feel like a normal Duplass Brothers movie, and what Bell learned from Aselton that she used when making her directorial debut In a World....

SPECIAL NOTE: Due to technical difficulties, this interview was rerecorded.

Opening in theaters on May 17th is the new action thriller Erased from director Philipp Stolzl (North Face). The film stars Aaron Eckhart (Olympus Has Fallen, The Dark Knight), Liana Liberato (Trespass), and Olga Kurylenko (Oblivion). 

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Aaron Eckhart to talk about his work on Erased. The popular actor discussed his new film, being attracted to the action movie's family theme, playing a father on screen when he isn't one in real life, creating a father/daughter relationship with actress Liana Liberato, finally playing the lead in an action film, and the movie's old school espionage vibe. 

Actor/comedian Craig Robinson is on the verge of becoming a very big star!

Robinson is currently starring on the final season of the hit NBC series The Office, and has not one, not two, but three major movies opening this summer. The actor, who is best known for his role in films like Pineapple Express, and Hot Tub Time Machine, will soon be seen in two different movies about the apocalypse that both open in June. First he’ll appear in Rapture-Palooza opposite Oscar-nominee Anna Kendrick (End of Watch), followed by This Is The End, which also stars James Franco (Oz the Great and Powerful) and is co-directed by Seth Rogen (The Guilt Trip). Not to mention that he’s about to begin filming Hot Tub Time Machine 2 with his good friend Rob Corddry. But before that, Robinson can be seen in his first starring role opposite Kerry Washington (Django Unchained) and David Alan Grier (Boomerang) in the new comedy Peeples, which opens in theaters on May 10th.

Peeples was written and directed by longtime screenwriter Tina Gordon Chism (Drumline), and is produced by multimedia mogul Tyler Perry (Tyler Perry’s Temptation). In the film, Robinson stars as Wade Walker, a kind but underachieving musical children’s therapist who unexpectedly meets the overbearing father (Grier) of his beautiful girlfriend, Grace (Washington), at their picturesque Hampton home. In addition to Robinson, Washington, and Greir the film also stars S. Epatha Merkerson (Lincoln), Kali Hawk (Bridesmaids), Ana Gasteyer (Mean Girls), and living legends Melvin Van Peebles (We the Party) and Diahann Carroll (Eve’s Bayou).  

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Craig Robinson to discuss his work on Peeples, as well the status of Hot Tub Time Machine 2. The actor/comedian discussed his new film, how it felt to be number one on the call sheet, improvising with David Alan Grier, Kerry Washington’s comedic abilities, the art of comedy, Hollywood legends Diahann Carroll and Marvin Van Peebles, working with first time director Tina Gordon Chism, Hot Tub Time Machine 2, when it starts filming, and if actor John Cusack will return for the upcoming sequel. 

Opening in theaters on May 10th is the new horror thriller Aftershock from Chilean director/oo-writer Nicolas Lopez (Promedio rojo) and co-writer/producer/actor Eli Roth (Inglourious Basterds). In addition to Roth, the film also stars Andrea Osvart (Maternity Blues), Lorenza Izzo (The Green Inferno), Natasha Yarovenko (Captain Thunder), Nicholas Martinez (Que pena tu boda), Ariel Levy (Que pena tu vida), and Selena Gomez (Spring Breakers). 

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had the pleasure of traveling to The World Famous Hollywood Magic Castle and sitting down with Andrea Osvart and Lorenza Izzo to talk about their work on Aftershock. The two beautiful actresses discussed their new film, the mood on set while filming, how Izzo lived through the actual earthquake that inspired many of the events in the film, the difficulty for her in reenacting that terrible moment from her life, the unspoken backstory between Osvart and Izzo's characters, acting in scenes with the movie's co-writer Eli Roth, and his awkward dancing sequence. 

Actor and comedian David Alan Grier has been making audiences laugh on stage, film, and television for the better part of the last 30 years … and he’s showing no signs of stopping anytime soon.

Grier began his career in the early ‘80s on Broadway earning a Tony Award-nomination before making his film debut in legendary director Robert Altman’s Streamers. He would eventually go on to appear opposite Denzel Washington in A Soldier’s Story, as well as the comedy I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, but his big break came as an original cast member of the groundbreaking variety show In Living Color. The actor appeared on all five seasons of the hit series before starring in such films as Boomerang, Blankman, Jumanji, Baadasssss!, and Bewitched, as well as TV’s Life with Bonnie, and his own show entitled DAG. But now the multitalented actor/comedian returns to the big screen in a different type of role than audiences are used to seeing him in with his new film Peeples, which also stars Craig Robinson (Hot Tub Time Machine) and Kerry Washington (Django Unchained), and opens in theaters on May 10th. 

Peeples was written and directed by longtime screenwriter Tina Gordon Chism (Drumline), and is produced by multimedia mogul Tyler Perry (Tyler Perry’s Temptation). In the film, Grier stars as respected Judge Virgil Peeples who is the patriarch of an impressive upper class family. But his perfect world is threatened when his favorite daughter, Grace (Washington), unexpectedly brings home her new boyfriend, underachiever Wade Walker (Robinson), to meet the family for a weekend at their Hampton home. In addition to Grier, Robinson, and Washington, the film also stars S. Epatha Merkerson (Lincoln), Kali Hawk (Bridesmaids), Ana Gasteyer (Mean Girls), and living legends Melvin Van Peebles (We the Party) and Diahann Carroll (Eve’s Bayou).  

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with David Alan Grier to talk about his work on Peeples, as well as the rumors of a new version of In Living Color. The talented actor/comedian discussed his new movie, similarities between his character and The Cosby Show’s Cliff Huxtable, playing the elder statesman, being Craig Robinson’s straight man, improvisation, working with Kerry Washington, Diahann Carroll’s stories, the great Melvin Van Peebles, his advice to young comedians, the sudden shift in his career, and possibly returning for a new In Living Color series. 

Available on Blu-ray and DVD beginning May 7th is the hit action film Jack Reacher, which stars Tom Cruise and is based on the popular series of novels by author Lee Child. The film was written and directed by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects) and in addition to Cruise features an excellent cast that includes Rosamund Pike (An Education), David Oyeleowo (Middle of Nowhere), Jai Courtney (A Good Day to Die Hard), Academy Award-nominee Richard Jenkins (The Company You Keep), Academy Award-winner Robert Duvall (Apocalypse Now), and acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog (The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans). 

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had a chance to travel to Paramount Pictures' backlot in Los Angeles, California to talk with 2nd Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator Paul Jennings and Stunt Driver Joey Box about Jack Reacher. The stuntmen discussed the movie, choosing the 1971 Chevelle Super Sport vehicle for the film, training with Tom Cruise to drive, how Steve McQueen's Bullitt inspired the chase scenes in the film, and shooting the sequence where Cruise jumps out of the car while it's moving. 

Opening in theaters on May 10th is the new horror thriller Aftershock from Chilean director/oo-writer Nicolas Lopez (Promedio rojo) and co-writer/producer/actor Eli Roth (Inglourious Basterds). In addition to Roth, the film also stars Andrea Osvart (Maternity Blues), Lorenza Izzo (The Green Inferno), Natasha Yarovenko (Captain Thunder), Nicholas Martinez (Que pena tu boda), Ariel Levy (Que pena tu vida), and Selena Gomez (Spring Breakers). 

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had the pleasure of traveling to The World Famous Hollywood Magic Castle and sitting down with director Nicolas Lopez to talk about his work on Aftershock. The acclaimed director discussed his new film, creating the story and screenplay with director-turned-actor Eli Roth, adding an escaped prisoner aspect to the disaster movie, the 1% versus the 99%, the importance of building character development before the action, and the irony of wearing a magic cat on his t-shirt while at The Magic Castle. 

What 11-year old kid wouldn’t want to be Iron Man’s best friend? For actor Ty Simpkins, that dream has come true.

Simpkins (Insidious) is currently starring opposite Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man 3, which is the third installment of the popular Marvel Studios franchise. In its opening weekend the film earned over $175 million in the US alone, and has grossed $700 million worldwide so far! In the movie, Simpkins plays Harley Keener, a troubled young boy living with his mother, who must work all hours since his father left them. After a beaten Tony Stark (Downey) crash lands in his town, Harley becomes his sidekick and helps him repair the Iron Man suit and track down the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley). 

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking with 11-year old actor Ty Simpkins about his role in Iron Man 3 on the Disney lot in Burbank, California. The young actor discussed appearing in the movie, how he got the role, his character, working with Robert Downey Jr., director Shane Black, being an Iron Man fan, if Harley could become the new Iron Man in The Avengers 2 or Iron Man 4, and if there are any Harley toys or merchandise available. 

Opening in theaters on May 10th is the new comedy Peeples from longtime screenwriter and first time director Tina Gordon Chism (Drumline). The film was produced by multimedia mogul Tyler Perry (Tyler Perry's Temptation), and features an all-star cast that includes Craig Robinson (Hot Tub Time Machine), Kerry Washington (Django Unchained), David Alan Grier (Boomerang), S. Epatha Merkerson (Lincoln), Ana Gasteyer (Mean Girls), and living legends Melvin Van Peebles (We the Party) and Diahann Carroll (Eve's Bayou). 

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Tina Gordon Chism to talk about her work on Peeples. The talented writer and director discuss her new film, working with Tyler Perry as a producer, giving comedic force Craig Robinson his first staring role, why she had to have Kerry Washington in the movie, how the popular dramatic actress handled the film's comedic scenes, and the perfect irony of casting the iconic Melvin Van Peebles as "Grandpa Peeples."