Interviews Archives - The Culture Mom

03May

Up Close and Personal with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin

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Netflix's half-hour show Grace and Frankie stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as friends who come together after their husbands leave them for each other. Their husbands played by Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston are ready to change their own lives, happy to come out to the world, but Grace and Frankie, two women in their 70's, both have a hard time letting go, after being married to the men for nearly 50 years. But the women get through it, and the first season of the show tells their story brilliantly. (If you haven't streamed it, now's the time!) Season Read More

25Jan

Up Close and Personal with Paddington’s Nicole Kidman

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When I had a last minute opportunity to interview Nicole Kidman a few days ago to promote her new film, Paddington, I was thrilled. A long time fan, I have been following her career of superb performances in some of my favorite films such as To Die For, The Hours, Rabbit Hole, Far and Away, The Portrait of a Lady, Moulin Rouge, The Birthday Girl, Dogville and so many others. She's been in the public spotlight for years, and we all feel like we know her. We've seen her go through a very public break-up, move on to marry a very famous country singer and Read More

26May

An Interview with ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ Author John Green

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I was recently part of a group of culture and book bloggers who asked author John Green a few questions about the upcoming release of the film adaptation of the he extremely popular young adult novel The Fault in Our Stars. His excitement for the film was quite infectious, even over the phone, and there can't be anyone more excited about the release of the film...except the public. Since the official trailer was released by Twentieth Century Fox a few short months ago, it has received over 19 million views. Here’s what I found out about his involvement Read More

17Dec

A Visit to the Set of Orange is the New Black

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I've been writing about Orange is the New Black ever since I binged it on Netflix. I wrote about it when I called Netflix the new Feminist Hollywood Leader over on The Broad Side and I interviewed Alysia Reiner over at Indiewire's Women & Hollywood. It was then that she told me, how on OITNB they "have a crazy talented writers room with more women then men in the room, as well as awesome women directors, fabulous female producers and of course our mind blowing female ensemble cast." Well, as someone who is very invested in seeing more of a Read More

12Nov

An Interview with Dr. Ruth

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After seeing Becoming Dr. Ruth last week, I was even more intrigued by the real Dr. Ruth than before. Everyone knows Dr. Ruth Westheimer from her career as a pioneering radio and television sex therapist. Few, however, know the incredible journey that preceded it. From fleeing the Nazis in the Kindertransport and joining the Haganah in Jerusalem as a scout and sniper, to her struggles to succeed as a single mother coming to America. I recently asked her a few questions about the show, her life and more. TCM: What is it like seeing yourself portrayed Read More

03Nov

Getting Up Close and Personal with the Cast and Crew of “The Book Thief”

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Five years ago, someone in my book club selected The Book Thief by Australian author Markus Zusak. As soon as I turned to the first page, I was mesmerized. Let me preface this article by saying that I am Jewish and I'm someone who has always felt a profound sense of responsibility towards my people and heritage because of what happened during the Holocaust. I read a lot of books about this time period. I watch movies about it. I have even thought about going back to school to study the Holocaust. I am currently interviewing survivors for my Read More

01Nov

An Interview with Film Director Richard Curtis

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About Time is the latest film by writer and filmmaker Richard Curtis. If you loved his other films, which include Notting Hill, Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral, you will love this one. Curtis has a distinctive voice and style that weaves through his work, and this film is no exception. It’s a small film with a big life lesson, and it had me raptured. I was lucky enough to spend time with Curtis recently at a small press conference. I sat in the first row and asked as many questions as I could. He was what I expected: honest, direct and Read More

10Oct

An Interview with Meg Wolitzer

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(The original post can be found at Indiewire's Women & Hollywood) Novelist Meg Wolitzer talks with Holly Rosen Fink about the success of her latest novel, The Interestings (Riverhead Books, 2013), inspiration, sexism in the literary world, working with Nora Ephron, as well as her mother, novelist, Hilma Wolizter, and her experiences in film and television that spawned the film version of This Is Your Life. Women and Hollywood: Congratulations on the success of The Interestings. I hear this book holds a special place in your heart. Tell us Read More

24Aug

Esther Geizhals: A Story of Holocaust Survival

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This is a repost of a story that I recently posted over at The Broad Side. I am in the process of interviewing several survivors and many children of survivors for a project and I will be posting some of their stories. We must never forget the atrocities that occurred a mere 70 years ago and we must make sure that no one else ever forgets. It was an honor to meet Esther Geizhals and she assured me that her story must be shared, along with everyone else who lived through it. These stories of a mass genocide of an innocent people must be told. The photo Read More

22Jul

My New Obsession: OITNB and an Interview with Alysia Reiner

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When actress Alysia Reiner auditioned for a small stage production I produced last year, I knew instantly I was standing before someone with an interesting career in behind and in front of her. She read with such ease and vigor and clearly possessed the ability to become someone else at the drop of a hat. It was a show about motherhood, a subject she knew very well, as a new mother with a toddler at home. Alysia’s resume is so impressive. She’s had recurring and guest starring roles on hit shows like “30 Rock,” all the “Law & Order” shows, “The Read More