FROM THE VINE - JOE PANTOLIANO INTERVIEW

In a 40-year career with more than 100 film, television and stage credits, Joe Pantoliano established himself as one of the best character actors. 

From his breakout as “Guido the Pimp” in Risky Business, to Cypher in The Matrix  to mob thug Ralph Cifaretto on The Sopranos, “Joey Pants” has never played a lead. 

That drought ends with his latest film, From the Vine, an Independent Canadian film where he stars as Marco Gentile, a depressed CEO who experiences an ethical crisis and returns to his hometown in rural Italy to motivate himself and his life.. 

There he finds a new purpose, reviving his grandfather's old vineyard, offering the small town of Acerenza a sustainable future, and reconnecting with his estranged family in the process.

Joe Pantoliano and Wendy Crewson in, From the Vine

I spoke with Joe about working on this film and how he felt connected to his character Marco. 

From the Vine is available on VOD.

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: THE STORY OF FIRE SAGA - RACHEL MCADAMS AND DAN STEVENS INTERVIEWS

Will Ferrell is at it again!  His new comedy, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga which has been 20 years in the making is currently streaming on NETFLIX .

The film stars Ferrell alongside Canada's own sweetheart Rachel McAdams as Icelandic duo named Sigrit Ericksdottir and Lars Erickssong - but go by, “Fire Saga”  who are competing in the European song contest, Eurovision.

Directed by Wedding Crashers director David Dobkin the film also stars Dan Stevens  ( Downton Abbey, Beauty and the Beast) Pierce Brosnan and Demi Lovato and is set during the annual European Eurovision Song Contest which has been held every year since 1965 with the exception of the 2020 event due to COVID-19.  Eurovision is is a. 64-year-old contest that's watched by around 200 million viewers every year.

The contest was established in 1956 to promote peace in Europe after the horrors of WWII and includes a bizarre set of rules that ensure tiny countries like Malta and San Marino are on a level playing field with the likes of Germany, the U.K. and France. Or at least, that’s the theory.

Dan Stevens in, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

The Grand Final involves competitors from 26 different countries performing one song each at The Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. It is divided into two main sections: the singing and the voting.

It’s quite the spectacle and is one of the most popular annual events in Europe and it was something that Will Ferrell was so fascinated with her decided to honour the contest with this film.

I spoke with Rachel McAdams and Dan Stevens about the film and the tremendous fun they had making it.