Insights from the Writer and Producer of 'Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer'

Author Megan McDonald and Jordana Beatty on the set of "Judy Moody."

By
Aphrodite M.

Megan McDonald, popular children's author of the "Judy Moody" books and screenwriter of the movie along with Producer Sarah Siegel-Magness discuss the making of "Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer."

 

Read the interview on Yahoo! AC.

Producer Sarah Siegel-Magness with daughter
Camryn Magness, who did the music for "Judy Moody."

Producers, director and stars of "Judy Moody."

Interview: The Cast of 'Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer'

By Aphrodite M.

"Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer" is a cheerful, family film directed by John Schultz and based on the children’s books by Megan McDonald. Judy (Jordan Beatty) is a 3rd grader who hopes to have the most fantastic summer ever and is always looking for a new thrill. Her Aunt Opal (Heather Graham) comes to watch her and her brother Stink (Parris Mosteller) for the summer and that’s when the real adventure begins.

The stunningly beautiful and girlish Heather Graham has had a long and successful career in Hollywood. Last year she starred in “The Hangover” playing Ed Helms’ onscreen love interest and now plays the free-spirited and artistic Aunt Opal in “Judy Moody.”

It seems odd Graham would wait so long to finally do a family comedy since she appears so light-hearted and fun in person. “I just try to do what’s fun and what looks like could be good,” Graham said about her criteria for choosing movie roles.

She also added she’d like to see more female-centric films being made and hopes to star and produce in a film about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911. The fire was a tragic incident leading to major reforms in child labor laws and worker’s rights.

About her experience filming, Graham said, “It’s so fun to do a movie where there’s nothing dark happening in it. It’s all happy. It’s about how to have the best summer ever.”

Graham also identified with her character’s capacity to have fun and enjoy where she is in every moment. “I like that [Aunt Opal] has the ability to see the beauty in everything,” she said.

Aunt Opal is not actually a character from the books but one created by the author Megan McDonald for the film. The character was inspired by McDonald’s own sister who arrived for a short visit at her house with a suitcase full of art supplies hoping they would make art all week.

Australian newcomer Jordana Beatty plays Judy Moody and had many references for the people who remind her of Aunt Opal in her life. “Each of my aunties and uncles have different qualities which make it like Aunt Opal but all split up.”

Beatty described her favorite parts of being on set saying, “It was just being around everyone because everyone was so nice—and the crew and the cast. Working with everyone was really great and just seeing all the detail on all the sets was really cool.”

Jaleel White plays the lovable, 3rd grade teacher Mr. Todd in “Judy Moody.” White’s decision to do the film wasn’t anything he had to think about too hard. “It was a no-brainer decision. Smokewood asked me to be in the film, which is kind of cool because you really fight for roles out here,” White said.

Smokewood is the production company run by Sarah Siegal-Magness and her husband Gary Magness. Smokewood also produced the Oscar-award-winning “Precious.” “We don’t discriminate based on budget or genre. We just really want to make films that make an impact on the planet,” Siegal-Magness said. She also made sure to make an impact on the planet by keeping the “Judy Moody” set eco-friendly.

Sarah Siegal-Magness was a fan of White’s and asked him to play Mr. Todd.  He is one of those mythical amazing teachers who treats his classroom as a stage. He is fun, plays music for his students and enjoys his job.

White’s hilarious response when asked if he based Mr. Todd on any teachers in his life was, “Hell, no. I had teachers that sent me to detention. I didn’t have some fun dude coming in the room playing banjo and giving me clues on how to find him in the summer.”

White started off in the business as a child star playing the iconic role of Steve Urkell on the popular sitcom “Family Matters.” He went on to graduate from UCLA’s School of Film and Television and continued his career writing scripts for film and television and taking some roles along the way. Currently, he has written a romantic comedy based on text messaging which is in preproduction and set to shoot in Canada.  

The music for the film is by 11-year-old pop singer Camryn, whose main influences include female empowerment powerhouses like Lady Gaga, Pink and Avril Lavigne.

“Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer” is out in theaters June 10, 2011.

Cast interview, including Heather Graham and Jaleel White, featured on Picktainment.

Fifteen Fabulous New York Films

By Aphrodite M.

Sidney Lumet was an esteemed New York based director known for the deep social issues he featured in his films set against the backdrop of the Big Apple. Lumet loved his hometown in a way he tried to articulate in all of his work. In honor of Lumet’s recent passing, we take a look at the fabulous city he adored as featured in fifteen quintessential films. These memorable movies, set in chronological order, either celebrated or laid bare the subcultures, attitudes, enclaves, myths, mores and landscape of New York.

Citizen Kane (1941)

This Oscar winning film is about media mogul Charles Foster Kane, based on real life magnate William R. Hearst, played by Orson Welles. After Kane’s death, a news reporter sets out to uncover the mystery behind Kane’s final words. Citizen Kane is a critically acclaimed film which gives us a glimpse at the sensationalism which fuels New York newspapers and media. It also caused its own real life sensation when Hearst blocked any mention of the film in all of his publications.

Miracle on 34^th Street (1947)

This story is set in New York and features many famous and celebrated New York institutions. It is a Christmas classic starring a young Natalie Wood as a girl named Susan who comes to believe a Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, later hired to work at the flagship Macy’s store on 34^th Street, is the real Santa Claus. Santa, who calls himself Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn), confirms Susan’s beliefs, to the dismay of Susan’s mother Doris. Kringle is forced to undergo psychological evaluations and risks being committed to Bellevue Mental Hospital. Among all the turmoil Kringle brings peace between the dueling department store heads of Macy’s and Gimbels and spreads hope and goodwill to his nonbelievers.

On the Waterfront (1954)

Although it was filmed in Hoboken, New Jersey, On the Waterfront is a contender because it was based on a series of articles from the New York Sun detailing corruption on the docks of Brooklyn and Manhattan. Marlon Brando stars as dockworker Terry Malloy who is dragged into the violence and corruption of the longshoremen’s mob controlled union. The unsuspecting longshoreman leads friend Joey Doyle to his death when he brings him to union boss John Friendly. Terry soon falls for Doyle’s sister, Edie, and must decide if he should testify against Friendly and risk dishonor and retaliation for being an informant.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

The class and elegance of New York is certainly embodied in this iconic classic starring Audrey Hepburn. Hepburn plays the outgoing and eccentric Holly Golightly who is running from her past and trying to find a new life and identity in the bustling big city. The film was named after the famous 5^th Avenue jewelry store Tiffany’s. The store becomes its own character in the film as it is featured as an oasis for Golightly to escape to both mentally and physically when her problems are bearing down on her.

West Side Story (1961)

Warring New York street gangs, ethnic divides and star-crossed love makes this musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet a tantalizing classic. A young man named Tony (Richard Beymer), who is a member of a white working class gang called the Jets, falls in love with Maria (Natalie Wood), whose brother is a member of the rival Puerto Rican street gang the Sharks. Maria and Tony hope their love can overcome the barriers set between them but their friends and family will not let that be. Although this movie showcases many upbeat musical numbers it also focuses on some very dark and dramatic social issues.

The French Connection (1971)

This action drama won the Academy Award for best film and is based on a true story about police corruption and overseas drug smuggling. Gene Hackman stars as detective James “Popeye” Doyle, based on real life narcotics detective Eddie Egan. Doyle and his partner Russo try to bust some crooked cops involved in drug smuggling from France while also dealing with unwanted interference in their case by the FBI. The chase sequences in the film were heralded as some of the best for their time and feature Gene Hackman doing much of the actual driving throughout New York City. Also, it was said that the use of filming permits was not strictly adhered to when shooting the car chase scenes.

The Godfather (1972)

This epic gangster film chronicles the family life, questionable business dealings and brutal violence of the Italian-American Corleone family living in New York. Based on a novel by Mario Puzo and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, this star studded Oscar winner is the mafia movie which created the mold for all future mafia movies. Acting powerhouses such as Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan and Diane Keaton make this film a steady favorite on many top movie lists.

Serpico (1973)

Sidney Lumet directed this film about the real life New York City detective Frank Serpico. Lumet used four of the five NYC bureaus for filming and displayed a wide range of the city’s landscape. In the film, Serpico (Al Pacino) goes undercover to expose the corruption which is rampant among his fellow police officers. His infatuation with the case causes upheaval in his personal life and also makes him a pariah on the force leading to violence and threats of termination.

Annie Hall (1977)

Woody Allen, a New York City fanatic like Lumet, directed and starred in this romantic comedy with Diane Keaton.  Keaton plays the flighty, men’s wear attired love interest of neurotic comedian Alvy Singer (Woody Allen). The couple have a tumultuous relationship of make ups and break ups which leads them from New York to Los Angeles and back again. A notable device Allen uses in the film is the suspension of the illusion of the fourth wall in the characters’ lives. In several scenes he has the characters look directly into the camera and address the audience which is usually considered a movie-making faux pas.

Tootsie (1982)

Dustin Hoffman plays out of work, New York actor Michael Dorsey who has a reputation for being difficult. Dorsey’s 40^th birthday is fast approaching and he has no way of paying his mounting bills. After being rejected for several roles, Dorsey decides to dress as a woman and audition for a female role on a soap opera. He lands the part and what he thinks is a short term solution to paying his bills becomes a breakout role which audiences come to love. He then is forced into a dual existence where he is the female actress Tootsie for work and Michael for his girlfriend Sandy, who knows nothing of his female disguise.

A Chorus Line (1985)

This film, based on the similarly named hit Broadway musical, stars Michael Douglas as Zach a tough, no nonsense director casting a new musical. Dancers come out in droves to a Broadway theater to audition. They end up revealing their innermost hopes and desires on the stage as this audition leads into a group therapy type session that lasts into the night. Zach is surprised by an appearance from his old flame Cassie (Alyson Reed), who is desperate for work and comes to audition for the chorus although she is overqualified. Zach soon finds his own emotional turmoil laid out on stage. It’s an inspiring and at times heartbreaking movie which details the pursuit of one’s passion at any cost.

Wall Street (1987)

Named after the financial district of New York City, Wall Street follows youngblood stockbroker Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) as he is driven into questionable financial endeavors by his morally inept hero Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas). This Oliver Stone directed film delves into the seedy, high stakes financial world of corporate raiding, insider trading and securities fraud.

The Age of Innocence (1993)

This 1920’s Edith Wharton novel was adapted for the screen by Martin Scorsese and illustrates New York life in the 1870’s. The propriety of high-society has New York lawyer Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis) shackled to a loveless engagement with socialite May Welland (Winona Ryder). When  May’s cousin Countess Ellen Olenska (Michelle  Pfeiffer) comes to town, Newland finds himself enraptured by this passionate and scandalous women. This movie is mired with societal and class hierarchies and the crushing constraints of its time.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Andrea Sachs (Anne Hathaway) is thrown into New York City’s cut-throat fashion world when she lands her first job as an assistant to the prestigious and highly demanding fashion editor Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). Andrea comes to question her values and her sanity in this at times comedic look at New York’s high fashion and magazine publishing microcosms.

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009)

This lurid tale of a young women living in the Harlem projects, and facing unimaginable abuse at the hands of her stepfather and mother, is a testament to the power of the human spirit against overwhelming odds. Lost and forgotten in the run-down gray cityscape, an illiterate, twice pregnant and heavily abused girl learns to cope by escaping to her imagination. She is given hope and solace by her new teacher Blu Rain (Paula Patton) and Miss Weiss, her social worker (Mariah Carey).

This is in no way a definitive list and there are many favorite New York based films which were omitted. The ones chosen for the list certainly have merit and many are in the spirit of Sidney Lumet’s films which voyeuristically peek into seminal social issues and individual human turmoil. Some other noteworthy New York films are Saturday Night Fever, American Gangster, Annie,When Harry Met Sally, Goodfellas, Maria Full of Grace, Fame, Taxi Driver, Arthur, Coming to America, Hello, Dolly! and Gangs of New York. This list is as variable as the city it is based on so feel free to suggest your own picks.

As featured on Yahoo! Network.

As featured on Picktainment.

Mo'Nique & Sandra Bullock Win The Oscar: Check Out Some Pics From The Night + Winners List!

(I'm happy she chose a LONG dress this time lol..see pic below!)

But on a super positive note, Mo'Nique won Best Supporting Actress for her role as an abusive welfare mom in 'Precious.' The movie showed the life of a young girl living with her parents who abused her both sexually and physically. She was highly favored in the category and beat Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Penelope Cruz, as she did at the Golden Globes. I'm so happy she won, she gave me the chills, she put so much effort into that role.

To her husband, Sidney, with whom she has an open marriage, Mo'Nique said,

"Thank you for showing me that sometimes you have to forgo what's popular to do what's right. And baby, you are so right."

Damn, an open marriage, un-shaven legs....what else Mo'Nique? loll

CONGRATS ON THE OSCAR!!

Check out some pics and the winners list!

• Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz – Inglourious Basterds as Col. Hans Landa
• Best Animated Feature: Up – Pete Docter
• Best Original Song: The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from Crazy Heart – Ryan Bingham and T-Bone Burnett
• Best Original Screenplay: The Hurt Locker – Mark Boal
• Best Animated Short: Logorama – Nicolas Schmerkin
• Best Live Action Short: The New Tenants – Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson
• Best Documentary Short: Music by Prudence – Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett
• Best Makeup: Star Trek – Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow
• Best Adapted Screenplay: Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire – Geoffrey Fletcher from Push by Sapphire

• Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique – Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire as Mary Lee Johnston
• Best Art Direction: Avatar – Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair
• Best Costume Design: The Young Victoria – Sandy Powell
• Best Sound Editing: The Hurt Locker – Paul N.J. Ottosson
• Best Sound Mixing: The Hurt Locker – Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett
• Best Cinematography: Avatar – Mauro Fiore

Miley looks too cute!!! Best dressed for me ;)

• Best Actor: Jeff Bridges – Crazy Heart as Bad Blake
• Best Actress: Sandra Bullock – The Blind Side as Leigh Anne Tuohy

My favorite movies were Precious and The Blind Side.

Mo'Nique Wins Golden Globe & Shows Off Her Hairy Legs! YIKES!

Mo’Nique took home the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for her dramatic role as an abusive mom in Precious: Based on the novel ‘Push,’ by Sapphire, and gave one of the most moving speeches of the night at Sunday’s ceremony.
But the most appalling thing would be her un-shaven legs!! This actually has become a "signature" for Mo-Nique nowadays lol..she says, "She has no reason to shave her legs because she has a good life and doesn't care what people think of her"

She just looks too damn happy flaunting those hairy legs! loll To each is own though! She is working it...and her role in that movie was PHENOMENAL !!! Really!




CHECK OUT HER ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BELOW...



(damn she just made me cry..)

Gabourey Sidibe aka Precious On Jimmy Fallon: Speaks On Squealing At Will Smith + More!

Mariah Carey Unrecognizable In New Movie!

Mariah Carey is unrecognizable in her new movie – because she doesn’t wear make-up.

The singer-and-actress had to tone down her glamorous appearance for ‘Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire’ – where she plays a dowdy social worker – and says cast and crew were shocked with the results.

“It was cool, because a lot of people in the film don’t recognize me – they don’t notice me – and that to me, was the great gift that the director Lee Daniels gave me, to be able to go that far away from who I am."

Have you read this book? I hear it is intense!

Despite being pleased with the end results, Mariah initially put up a fight when she was first told she would have to tone down her appearance.

Mariah turned up on set for her first day with a collection of extravagant hair pieces and cosmetics only to be informed she wouldn’t be needing them for the film – which is due for release on November 6.

She told OK! magazine:
“I brought in all my wigs for the character, and Lee was like, ‘No. This is not happening.’ It really brought up what everyone was going through was not about that.”