Interview clip with the star of "The Pink Panther" Steve Martin

Harrison Ford Gives the Action Genre Something More

Sandra Kraisirideja
Harrison Ford is such a formidable force in American cinema that he’s actually created his own genre.

At least that’s what Paul Bettany, who stars opposite Ford in “Firewall,” opening Feb. 10, thinks.

The Harrison Ford genre, according to Bettany, breaks down like this: “affable, likeable, executive is turned into animal to protect family.”

It’s a good way to describe “Firewall” and “Air Force One,” but what connects those films with Ford’s other thrillers, such as ”Patriot Games” and “Clear and Present Danger” is the actor’s knack for making his characters appear ordinary and superhuman a the same time.

As Jack Stanfield in “Firewall,” Ford plays a security executive at a bank who is forced to transfer millions into the offshore bank account of a calculating thief, Bill Cox (Bettany), or his wife and children, who are being held hostage by the robbers, will be murdered.

The role requires Ford to command in-depth, technological knowledge of networks and computer systems. While his own expertise may not extend that far, Ford has been using computers in his own life for quite some time.

“I’m fairly comfortable with computers. What was important in this case was to test the theory of our technology on people in the banking community and people in the computer world,” said Harrison, who sported a gray, bushy goattee and one hoop earring while at the Regent Beverly Wilshire promoting the film.

There are a few intense physical scenes in the movie, but not enough to label it an action film, Ford said.

“This is not a physical movie. This is a movie that only has brief moments of physical confrontation in it. It’s a movie about suspense and tension. It’s not an action film,” he said.

Ford said he does not set out to do movies within a particular genre. “I want to work with the best dramatic material that I can. And it often happens that when you tell stories of conflict between characters it comes to a physical confrontation. That is the nature of film,” he said.

Ford’s own brand of action is not about having muscles or big guns, but about using internal strength to accomplish what needs to be done.

The little nuances he gives his characters are all part of the storytelling process, he said. Ford doesn’t decide to keep his character’s weaknesses—several times in “Firewall” his character stumbles—but puts them in purposefully.

“That’s the kind of thing that I think is an observation of how people behave under those circumstances. It reflects the reality of that kind of circumstance,” he said.

Ford has a reputation for being a man of few words, but neither Bettany nor Madsen found his demeanor effected the mood on the set.

“Harrison is like a real man’s man…and he reminds me of a lot of the men that I grew up around in Chicago, like he’s almost like a blue collar guy.

“I never found it uncomfortable to be around him because he was never mean, never rude,” said Madsen, who plays Ford’s wife in the movie. “He’s really good to the crew, the crew liked working with him a lot because of his no nonsense attitude. He just comes and he does his job.”

Bettany said he took a part in the film because of Ford and enjoyed working with the veteran actor.

“I think he absolutely fulfills all your expectations. He is very similar to what you think you’re going to get, and that’s probably why he’s such a big movie star,” Bettany said.

Ford had an equal amount of praise for his co-star, whom he described as a skilled and instinctive actor. “You’re playing a game of catch in a lot of the scenes between us and he pays attention. He knows how hard to throw the ball back. He knows how to work,” Ford said.

While the younger generation in Hollywood multi-tasks by branching out into singing, directing and producing, Ford is content to remain an actor.

He has not considered directing and finds acting stimulating because it’s a complicated problem that he has spend his life understanding.

Ford remains an actor because “I get to participate as an actor in filmmaking, which is a group activity and I like working with people on a problem and because they pay me money to do it.”

Is Age a Factor for Indianna Jones 4?

By Sandra Kraisirideja
Anticipation is mounting for the next “Indiana Jones,” but for every year that passes there is some concern that Harrison Ford may not be able to play the role physically.

The 63-year-old actor is frank about his age and doesn’t hesitate to point out that he’s as physically fit as ever.

“I can’t tell you anything about ‘Indiana Jones,’ but I think you’ve just seen a film in which I perform physically to an extent [that will be] sufficient for ‘Indiana Jones,’” he said.

Ford is referring to a specific scene in his latest thriller, “Firewall,” in which he and villain Paul Bettany get into a knock-down, nasty brawl where Ford is thrown through glass and tumbles over a balcony just for starters.

No word yet on when a final script will be approved for “Indiana Jon 4,” but Ford is committed to making the movie.

“The audience is there,” he said, and, “Everybody involved is anxious to make the film again.”

Interview clip - Harrison Ford

Interview clips with Virginia Madsen

Paul Bettany Bats Away Joker Rumors

By Sandra Kraisirideja
Paul Bettany is trying on the villan role in 2006 with the upcoming release of two high-profile films: “Firewall” and “The Da Vinci Code.” Could the role of the Joker in the next Batman movie be far behind?

Responding to rumors on the Internet linking his name to the role, Bettany responded, “Nobody has rung me up officially and asked, ‘Would you like to be in it?’” In fact, the only information Bettany has head has been from friends who have told him they’ve heard the rumor too.

Asked if he was flattered that rumors connecting him to the Batman sequel Bettany said, “Well I’m just wondering if my mother started the rumors.”

Interview clip - Paul Bettany

Beyonce Knowles Get Bit By Acting Bug

Sandra Kraisirideja
Swathed in sparkling jewelry made with combinations of rubies, diamonds, and pink diamonds, Beyonce Knowles looks dazzling in a pink halter dress, but beyond her beauty is an actress hungry to show the world what she can do.

Knowles understands her acting roles have been as eye candy in zany comedies like “Austin Powers 3” and the upcoming “The Pink Panther,” but she hopes to break that typecast this year.

Knowles may have to wait until the release of “Dreamgirls” for that chance, but for now she’s happy to promote her role in Steve Martin’s update of the “Pink Panther” franchise. The film opens Feb. 10.

To play the role of a pop superstar suspected of murder by bumbling French inspector Jacques Clouseau (Martin), Knowles deadpanned she initially turned down the role because she just wouldn’t have the time to do the research.

When she heard from director Shawn Levy, who cast her in the Disney show, “The Famous Jett Jackson,” however, that she would be playing opposite Martin and Kevin Kline, as Clouseau’s power-hungry boss, she changed her tune.

“I'd told myself I would always work with the best people, people I can learn from,” said Knowles, who spent two weeks in New York and one week in Paris filming. “I laughed the whole time on the set and I'm happy I'm in it,” she added.

Knowles, who has taken some acting classes and would like to pursue acting as a real career, said she was able to learn more about the profession from Martin.

“In between takes he goes from being this wacky, unbelievable character to becoming Steve Martin and working with the director and changing things,” because he also wrote the script. “I'm a songwriter and a performer, so I respect that,” Knowles said.

On stage Knowles affects the part of seductress with ease, but when she’s not performing she can appear demure and almost shy.

With acting she’s learning to transfer what she does on stage, to the screen. “I can come out of my shell when I'm on the stage. Now I'm learning in films I can do the same thing with different characters,” she said.

Knowles has high expectations for herself as an actress and hopes to demonstrate what she’s capable of in the upcoming “Dreamgirls,” directed by Bill Condon and starring Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy.

Knowles was born the year “Dreamgirls” made its debut on Broadway and has never seen the musical performed live. While she may have been an ideal candidate for the role vocally, there was some question as to whether she would be able to handle the character’s emotional changes.

“At first they weren't sure if I could play the part because I haven't done anything like it on film. And I knew I could do it. I just never had the chance to do it,” she said.

Knowles will play Deena, who begins the film at age 16 and matures to a 36-year-old woman.

“At the beginning there's nothing glamorous about Deena, and she kind of butterflies into this diva,” Knowles said, which will give her a chance to show her range as an actress.

“I have dramatic scenes and emotional scenes and all these colors, and I'm so excited because people are going to see me act for the first time,” she said.

For now Knowles is busy promoting “The Pink Panther” and is proud to be be able to connect a younger generation to the character, which was made famous by Peter Sellers.

“[There is] something so legendary about that song and that image of the Pink Panther and for me to be the person that represents [the film to others] in 2006 is amazing and for me to be the person who represent Deena is amazing,” Knowles said.

Music is still in Knowles future, but she’s hoping there will be more.

“I just want to challenge myself and learn and I admire people like Barbra Streisand and Dianna Ross who took that risk and are really good at it,” she said.