Actor, comedian, writer, director, producer and frequent Oscar host Billy Crystal has been making audiences laugh for almost 40-years!

After beginning his career as a stand-up comic, Crystal first gained prominence for his role as Jodie Dallas (one of the first unambiguously gay characters on TV) on the popular ‘70s comedy series Soap. He joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1984, where he created a string of beloved characters including Fernando “You Look Marvelous” Lamas, and Buddy Young Jr., as well as impersonations of Howard Cosell, Muhammad Ali, and Sammy Davis Jr. He would eventually go on to have an extremely successful film career starring in such classic movies as Running Scared, The Princess Bride, Throw Momma from the Train, When Harry Met Sally …, City Slickers, Analyze This, and Monsters, Inc. 

In addition to co-hosting the celebrity charity institution Comic Relief with Robin Williams and Woopie Goldberg, he has also hosted the Academy Awards Ceremony nine times, more than any other host in history with the exception of legendary comic Bob Hope. Crystal has written and produced several of his own films including Memories of Me, City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold, My Giant, and America’s Sweethearts, as well as directing Mr. Saturday Night, Forget Paris, and the classic baseball film 61*. The popular performer now returns to the big screen with the first prequel of his career, Pixar’s Monsters University, which opens in theaters on June 21st. 

The film, which features Crystal reprising his role as Mike Wazowski, tells the story of how Mike and fellow monster Sully (John Goodman) first met while attending college. In addition to Crystal and Goodman, the movie features returning voice actors Steve Buscemi (HBO’s Boardwalk Empire), Frank Oz (The Muppet Movie), John Ratzenberger (Toy Story series) and Bonnie Hunt (Cars), as well as series newcomers Charlie Day (Horrible Bosses), Nathan Fillion (Serenity), Alfred Molina (Spider-Man 2), Aubrey Plaza (Safety Not Guaranteed), Sean Hayes (The Three Stooges), Dave Foley (A Bug’s Life), and Oscar-winner Helen Mirren (The Queen). 

I recently had the pleasure of traveling to Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, California to sit down with Billy Crystal, along with a few other members of the press, to talk about his work on Monsters University, as well as the legacy of 61*. 

Currently available on digital download and available on Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D and DVD beginning June 11th is action-horror dark fantasy Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters from writer/director Tommy Wirkola (Kill Buljo). The film is a retelling of the classic fairy tale and stars Jeremy Renner (The Avengers) as Hansel, and Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace) as Gretel, as well as Famke Janssen (X-Men), Derek Mears (Predators), Peter Stormare (The Last Stand), and Zoe Bell (Django Unchained). 

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had the pleasure of visiting Spectral Motion VFX in Glendale, California and sitting down with director/writer Tommy Wirkola to talk about his work on Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, as well as the upcoming Blu-ray/DVD release and a possible sequel. The accomplished filmmaker discussed the film, adapting the classic fairy tale for a modern audience, casting Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton in the title roles, the rest of the cast, using Spectral Motion's practical effects over CGI, what fans can expect from the Blu-ray/DVD, and an update on the proposed sequel. 

Opening in theaters in Los Angeles, New York, and Austin on May 24th, and nationally on June 14th is Before Midnight from director Richard Linklater (Bernie). The film is the third in a franchise that also features Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, and was co-written by Linklater and the film's stars Ethan Hawke (Sinister) and July Delpy (Broken Flowers). 

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had the pleasure of sitting down with director Richard Linklater to talk about his work on Before Midnight. The acclaimed filmmaker discussed the new movie, creating an unexpected franchise, how the characters have grown over twenty-years, writing the film with Ethan Hawke and July Delpy, and if he would ever consider making a sequel to his beloved '1970s set high school film - Dazed and Confused. 

When the Wolfpack returns to theaters for the third and final time on May 23rd with The Hangover Part III, they will get a chance to reunite with several characters not seen since the original film. One of those characters is actress Heather Graham’s stripper turned housewife Jade, as well as her baby (now toddler) Tyler – A.K.A. Carlos. 

After being sidelined for The Hangover Part II, Graham returns to help the Wolfpack on their journey one more time in The Hangover Part III, which is being advertised as the conclusion to the epic series that has become the most successful comedy franchise of all time. Graham, who began he career as a teenager, has been appearing in films for almost 25-years and first gained attention for her role in the comedy License to Drive opposite Corey Feldman and the late Corey Haim. She would go on to appear in such films as Drugstore Cowboy, the Twin Peaks prequel – Fire Walk with Me, Six Degrees of Separation, and Swingers, before landing her breakout role as Rollergirl in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights. But it was playing Felicity Shagwell in the sequel Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me that made Graham a household name. Since then the actress has appeared a string of successful films including Bowfinger, Anger Management, From Hell, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, and of course – The Hangover. 

In The Hangover Part III, once again directed by Todd Philips, the Wolfpack comes to the aid of one of their own in the wake of a family tragedy when a personal crisis causes his friends and family to intervene in Alan’s (Zach Galifanakis) life. Doug (Justin Bartha), Phil (Bradley Cooper), and Stu (Ed Helms) agree to take Alan to a wellness home for help but the road trip goes terribly wrong when a ghost from their past causes Doug to be kidnapped … and that ghost is named Leslie Chow (Ken Jeong)! Now, Phil, Stu, and Alan have to go on a manhunt to find the notorious Mr. Chow, who has just broken out of a Bangkok prison, in order to save Doug’s life. When the Wolfpack’s journey leads them back the where it all began … Las Vegas, they seek the help of Stu’s ex-wife, Jade, who is now remarried and no longer a stripper. Jade gives the boys important information that helps them track down Chow, and Alan has a chance to reconnect with Tyler (formally-Carlos), who has grown quite a bit since the last time he saw him. Throughout the course of the film, the three friends become closer than ever and Alan learns a lesson about life, love, friendship, and the meaning of true happiness. 

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with the beautiful Heather Graham about The Hangover Part III while she was in Las Vegas (of course) promoting the film. The accomplished actress discussed the new movie, reuniting with the cast and crew for the final chapter, how Jade has changed since the first film, her complicated history with Stu, working with the same child actor that player Tyler/Carlos in the original movie, what Helms, Cooper, and Galifanakis are like off the set, collaborating with director Todd Philips, improvisation, if jade is actually an honorary member of the Wolfpack, not returning for The Hangover Part II, and what comedic legend is secretly a huge fan of The Hangover franchise. 

Actor Justin Bartha is the MVP of The Hangover film series! Remember, without Bartha’s character - Doug, and his friendship to Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Stu (Ed Helms), as well as his marriage to Alan’s (Zach Galifanakis) sister, there would be no Wolfpack! 

Before Bartha appeared in The Hangover, the most successful comedy film of all-time, the actor participated in one of the most hated and critically bashed films of all-time, the “Bennifer” vehicle Gigli co-starring Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. However, his luck would soon change when he was cast opposite Nic Cage in the extremely popular adventure film National Treasure, which also spawned the equally successful sequel National Treasure: Book of Secrets. But it was his role as Doug, the unsung hero of the Wolfpack, in The Hangover that made him a star. After appearing in the box office hit, yet critically disappointing follow-up - The Hangover Part II, Bartha starred on the short-lived NBC series The New Normal, which was unfortunately recently canceled. But now the Wolfpack is back with the highly anticipated final chapter to the beloved comedy series entitled The Hangover Part III, which opens in theaters on May 23rd. 

In the new film, the Wolfpack comes to the aid of one of their own in the wake of a family tragedy when a personal crisis causes his friends and family to intervene in Alan’s life. Doug, Phil, and Stu agree to take Alan to a wellness home for help but the road trip goes terribly wrong when a ghost from their past causes Doug to be kidnapped … and that ghost is named Leslie Chow (Ken Jeong)! Now, Phil, Stu, and Alan have to go on a manhunt to find the notorious Mr. Chow, who has just broken out of a Bangkok prison, in order to save Doug’s life. The journey will bring new elements of the first film to light, reunite them with old friends like Black Doug (Mike Epps), Jade (Heather Graham), and baby Carlos, as well as bring them back to where it all began … Las Vegas! Throughout the course of the film, the three friends become closer than ever and Alan learns a lesson about life, love, friendship, and the meaning of true happiness. 

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Justin Bartha about The Hangover Part III while he was in Las Vegas (of course) promoting the film. The popular actor discussed the new movie, returning for the final chapter, criticisms of the second film, the new installment’s fresh format, Doug’s limited role in the Wolfpack, his empathy for Alan, Cooper, Helms, and Galifanakis’ on-screen chemistry, whether or not they actually like each other in real life, working with director Todd Phillips, and the film’s villain John Goodman, as well as the future of the National Treasure franchise and Bartha’s career. 

Opening in theaters on May 17th is the highly anticipated new film Star Trek Into Darkness, which is a sequel to 2009's Star Trek - a reboot of the classic science fiction franchise. The movie is once again helmed by visionary director J.J. Abrams (Super 8) and features returning cast members Chris Pine (People Like Us) as Captain James T. Kirk, Zachary Quinto (Margin Call) as Spock, Karl Urban (Dredd) as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, Zoe Saldana (The Words) as Uhura, Anton Yelchin (Like Crazy) as Pavel Chekov, John Cho (A Very Harold & Kumar 3D) as Hikaru Sulu, Simon Pegg (The Adventures of Tintin) as Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, and Bruce Greenwood (Flight) as Christopher Pike, as well as new cast members Alice Eve (The Raven) as Dr. Carol Marcus, Peter Weller (Robocop) as Admiral Alexander Marcus, and Benedict Cumberbatch (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) as Commander John Harrison.

IAR's very own Guest Correspondent Katherine Tulich recently had a chance to travel to London, England and sit down with director J.J. Abrams to talk about their work on Star Trek Into Darkness. The visionary director discussed the new movie, making it a stand-alone sequel, the film's darker tone, references to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, utilizing 3D, overseeing both the Star Trek and Star Wars franchises, and whether or not he will be involved with a third Star Trek movie. 

Opening in theaters on May 17th is the highly anticipated new film Star Trek Into Darkness, which is a sequel to 2009's Star Trek - a reboot of the classic science fiction franchise. The movie is once again helmed by visionary director J.J. Abrams (Super 8) and features returning cast members Chris Pine (People Like Us) as Captain James T. Kirk, Zachary Quinto (Margin Call) as Spock, Karl Urban (Dredd) as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, Zoe Saldana (The Words) as Uhura, Anton Yelchin (Like Crazy) as Pavel Chekov, John Cho (A Very Harold & Kumar 3D) as Hikaru Sulu, Simon Pegg (The Adventures of Tintin) as Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, and Bruce Greenwood (Flight) as Christopher Pike, as well as new cast members Alice Eve (The Raven) as Dr. Carol Marcus, Peter Weller (Robocop) as Admiral Alexander Marcus, and Benedict Cumberbatch (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) as Commander John Harrison.

IAR's very own Guest Correspondent Katherine Tulich recently had a chance to travel to London, England and sit down with Karl Urban and Simon Pegg, as well as Alice Eve to talk about their work on Star Trek Into Darkness. The two popular actors discussed the new movie, returning to their roles as Bones and Scotty, respectively, Scotty's unusual story arc in the film, Bones' on screen dynamic with Kirk and Spock, and the two characters importance in the Star Trek mythos, while the beautiful young actress talked about how she got cast in the sequel, working with director J.J. Abrams, her pivotal character, and the possibility of returning for a third film. 

Opening in theaters on May 17th is the highly anticipated new film Star Trek Into Darkness, which is a sequel to 2009's Star Trek - a reboot of the classic science fiction franchise. The movie is once again helmed by visionary director J.J. Abrams (Super 8) and features returning cast members Chris Pine (People Like Us) as Captain James T. Kirk, Zachary Quinto (Margin Call) as Spock, Karl Urban (Dredd) as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, Zoe Saldana (The Words) as Uhura, Anton Yelchin (Like Crazy) as Pavel Chekov, John Cho (A Very Harold & Kumar 3D) as Hikaru Sulu, Simon Pegg (The Adventures of Tintin) as Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, and Bruce Greenwood (Flight) as Christopher Pike, as well as new cast members Alice Eve (The Raven) as Dr. Carol Marcus, Peter Weller (Robocop) as Admiral Alexander Marcus, and Benedict Cumberbatch (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) as Commander John Harrison.

IAR's very own Guest Correspondent Katherine Tulich recently had a chance to travel to London, England and sit down with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto to talk about their work on Star Trek Into Darkness. The two popular actors discussed the new movie, its homage to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Spock's fight scenes, why the Vulcan is angrier in this sequel, Quinto's relationship with the legendary Leonard Nimoy, and Pine's experience acting opposite the film's mysterious villain, who is played by Benedict Cumberbatch. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for a special Easter Egg at the end of the video featuring Pine singing a line from the classic Bon Jovi song "Wanted Dead or Alive."

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. 

Writer and director Shane Black has an extremely distinctive style that is completely different from all other filmmakers and allows his movies to standout from all the rest. 

You ALWAYS know when you are watching a Shane Black movie and there are several common themes that run through most of the screenwriter-turned-director’s work. He often uses first-person narration to tell his stories, there is usually a male bonding element at the heart of the film, he has used kidnapping as a plot device five times, and four of his movies take place during the Christmas holiday. 

I grew up on Shane Black movies, and feel as a movie fan, that I have watched Black grow up as a filmmaker too. His first screenplay, Lethal Weapon, basically invented the buddy-cop genre, which dominated the ‘1980s. He would eventually go on to write the story for Lethal Weapon 2, as well as the screenplays for underrated classics like The Monster Squad, and The Last Boy Scout starring Bruce Willis. Black even took a stab at acting in the Arnold Schwarzenegger film Predator, playing a member of Arnold’s elite commando crew. 

After penning Last Action Hero and The Long Kiss Goodnight, the screenwriter took almost a decade off before reinventing himself as a director in 2005 with the extremely inventive film Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, which helped begin to resurrect the career of Robert Downey Jr. Now Black returns to the director’s chair by taking over the Iron Man franchise from director Jon Favreau and reteaming with Downey for Iron Man 3, which opens in theaters on May 3rd.