13 August
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IN CONVERSATION: THE FILMMAKERS BEHIND “AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL” with Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk In 2006, Vice President Al Gore made the documentary An Inconvenient Truth to shed light on the issue of global warming and the climate crisis at hand. It has been the major focus of his career since leaving politics. It led to the Oscar for Best Documentary and has now spawned a follow up film looking at the work he has done, what we’ve accomplished, and what it all could mean with a Trump presidency. I had the chance to see the film and sit down with the filmmakers, Bonni CohenRead More →

22 November
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IN CONVERSATION: MARLON WEST, Heads of Effects Animation on Disney’s Moana When you think of animated movies, it’s safe to assume Disney is the first thing that comes to mind. Many of us grew up watching Disney movies and that love has carried on into adulthood. For me, movies like The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, or even something older like Pinocchio never get old. Walt Disney Animations Studios was in a bit of a slump in the early ‘00s but over the last few years, films like Tangled, Frozen, Big Hero 6, and Wreck-It Ralph have garnered acclaim from audiences putting them rightRead More →

11 April
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LINKLATER, A DREAM COLLABORATOR: A Conversation with the Cast of “Everybody Wants Some!!” It’s not hard to watch a Richard Linklater film and fall in love with his style and characters. Whether he’s making a romantic trilogy, following a bunch of stoners on the last day of school, or taking twelve years to show a young boy grow up, Linklater presents that slice of life that we can all relate to in some fashion or another. His new film, Everybody Wants Some!!, is considered the “spiritual sequel” to his breakout cult film Dazed and Confused. It’s a wonderful look back at those three days leadingRead More →

22 December
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A CONVERSATION WITH TODD HAYNES AND CHRISTINE VACHON ON “CAROL” Director Todd Haynes and his producing partner Christine Vachon have been working together for twenty years now through her production company Killer Films. Their films, including Far From Heaven and Velvet Goldmine, have been celebrated by critics and moviegoers for their depiction of gay and lesbian themes. They were recently in Minneapolis when the Walker Art Center presented a retrospective of their work together. It opened with a special screening of their new film, Carol, starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. It’s based off the book The Price of Salt, the second book by Patricia HighsmithRead More →

18 November
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AN INTERVIEW WITH CRAIG SCHULZ AND STEVE MARTINO FROM “THE PEANUTS MOVIE”                       To help celebrate the release of The Peanuts Movie, it was declared Charles M. Schulz Day here in Minneapolis on October 20, 2015. Steve Martino, the director of the film along with writer Craig Schulz and various cast members were on hand to celebrate. I had a chance to interview Martino and Schulz along with fellow film bloggers Ruth Maramis from www.flixchatter.com and Emmylou Barden from www.donnahup.com Paul McGuire Grimes: What inspired you to bring it back, rejuvenate it, and bring itRead More →

02 September
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        An interview with John Erick Dowdle and Drew Dowdle by Paul McGuire Grimes The original version of this was first published in City Pages on September 1, 2015 It was a welcome return home to Minnesota for John Erick Dowdle and his brother Drew as they made an appearance at the advanced screening of their new film, No Escape, starring Owen Wilson, Lake Bell, and Pierce Brosnan. They hail from the Highland Park area of St. Paul, and it was very evident they were excited to be back among family and friends who came out to support their new film. TheyRead More →

28 January
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In Interviews, My Criterion Collection

DAZED AND CONFUSED (1993) Writer/Director: Richard Linklater Starring: Jason London, Shawn Andrews, Rory Cochrane, Joey Lauren Adams, Parker Posey, Anthony Rapp, Adam Goldberg, Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich, Sasha Jenson, Matthew McConaughey, Wiley Wiggins, Marissa Ribisi Truth be told I watched Dazed and Confused for the first time just a few weeks ago. The film has received a cult classic status, yet somehow I let it slip through the cracks. One of the first questions I had was that if I watch a movie in 2015 that was made in 1993 that was set in 1976, does it at all feel dated? Absolutely not! There isRead More →

05 December
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THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER 2014 OSCARS ROUNDTABLE: THE ACTORS               The Hollywood Reporter offers insightful roundtable discussions with some of the best talent working in the business. I love their Oscar Roundtable series every year, and I try to post each one of them. Here are six actors that are getting some buzz for their work. They discuss playing real life characters, the stereotypes behind British actors versus American actors, and Timothy Spall informs the group of a phantom pooper that may be lurking around the National Theater. Enjoy! The Actors Benedict Cumberbatch, The Imitation Game Ethan Hawke, Boyhood MichaelRead More →

28 November
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THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER 2014 OSCARS ROUNDTABLE: THE ACTRESSES               Every year I like to feature the Oscar Roundtables done by “The Hollywood Reporter”. They highlight the actors, actresses, directors, writers, and producers that are receiving acclaim for their work this year. Here are the seven incredible actresses chosen this year. They discuss a variety of topics including: portraying characters based off real life inspirations, being fearless, horrible auditions, privacy, and the nude photo hack. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do! The Actresses Amy Adams, Big Eyes Patricia Arquette, Boyhood Laura Dern, Wild Felicity Jones, TheRead More →

25 November
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In Interviews

A ROUNDTABLE INTERVIEW WITH DIRECTOR BENNETT MILLER           On November 5, 2014, I had the opportunity to take part in a roundtable interview with Academy Award nominated director, Bennett Miller. His previous films, Capote and Moneyball both received critical acclaim, and I would not be surprised if his latest film, Foxcatcher, follows in their footsteps by garnering multiple Oscar nominations. The film is based on the bizarre true story of millionaire philanthropist John du Pont (Steve Carell) who invites gold medal wrestlers Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) and his brother Dave (Mark Ruffalo) to his lavish estate to train for the 1988Read More →