Title: Dolphin Tale Director: Charles Martin Smith Starring: Nathan Gamble, Harry Connick Jr., Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Morgan Freeman, Austin Stowell, Kris Kristofferson, Ashley Judd, Winter the Dolphin There isn’t anything to hate on after watching the heart-warming Dolphin Tale. But one can question a couple of mechanical approaches. And just to get this out of the way: don’t bother with seeing this in 3D (somewhere producers are now angry with me). Based on the true story of a dolphin named, Winter; the 113 minute flick chronicles her rehabilitation after getting caught in a crab trap resulting in the loss of her tail. She is discovered on the shores of a Florida…

“Good morning, good morning, good morning, good morning.” That’s Academy Award Winner – and multiple time nominee – Morgan Freeman getting ready to start a full-day of interviews at the Dolphin Tale press machine. And somehow, I was first on the list. Usually these studio promotional staples are done in Los Angeles, but since Freeman’s co-star, Winter – a dolphin that resides in Clearwater, Florida – Warner Bros. decided to have the cast & crew trek back over to where they wrapped filming just over a year ago; which then allowed Winter to also field questions from reporters from all over the world. The inspiring true story floats into theaters…

Title: Flypaper Director: Rob Minkoff Starring: Patrick Dempsey, Ashley Judd, Jeffrey Tambor, Mekhi Phifer, Octavia Spencer, Curtis Armstrong, Tim Blake Nelson, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Matt Ryan Finding a thorough comedic crime-caper is almost as hard as locating a decent hard rock album these days. Meaning the entire production needs to have the ability to entertain & intrigue all the way until the credits roll. Basically, the levels should never drop or deviate from the intended approach. The re-whatever “Ocean’s Eleven” franchise found a way to handle that stated criteria, and there’s been a few solid buddy-cop flicks in recent years that hit the right pitch. Even a film such as…

Director Rob Minkoff (The Lion King, Stuart Little) has dropped the first trailer for his robbery drama ‘Flypaper’.  The movie, written by the Hangover writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, revolves around two robberies going down at the same bank, with one guy stuck in the middle.  Playing the poor sap is Grey’s Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey, who not only has to try and stay alive, but thinks he can protect the teller (played by Ashley Judd) he’s been in love with from afar.  Dempsey is also a producer of the film that made fair reviews after being screened at the Sundance Film Festival. Actors Jeffrey Tambor, Tim Blake Nelson…

Ashley Judd has revealed that she had a troubled childhood that was filled with drugs and sexual abuse in her new memoir, All That is Bitter & Sweet, RadarOnline.com is reporting. The actress also admitted that her mother, country singer Naomi Judd, created a fake life origin for her and her sister, fellow country singer Wynonna Judd. The biography was released on April 5, just days before Naomi and Wynonna’s new reality show, ‘The Judds,’ premieres on OWN on April 10. In All That is Bitter & Sweet, Ashley claims that Naomi and Wynonna “have been quoted as saying that our family put the ‘fun’ in dysfunction. I wondered: ‘Who,…

Ashley Judd will return to television in ABC’s new series ‘Missing,’ www.tvguide.com is reporting. The show, which was originally titled ‘Safe’ and then ‘Hall of Mirrors,’ follows former CIA agent Becca Winstone, who will be played by Judd. Becca travels to Europe to find her son after he disappeared while he was in Italy for an internship. ‘National Treasure: Book of Secrets’ screenwriter Greg Poirier is penning the series, and the pilot was written by ’100 Questions’ Hunter Covington. ‘Missing’ is being executive-produced by Gina Matthews and Grant Scharbo. ‘Dexter’ director Steve Shill is attached to helm the show. ‘Missing’ marks Judd’s return to television, as she previously had a…

These two have formed quite a friendship since this production began and are very complimentary of each other. Although they are very comfortable around each other, I asked the twelve-year-old Nathan what is was like to be working with this caliber of stars… “I’m so nervous when I meet people like Harry and stuff. When you get to know them, me and him are really good buddies now.” I then began to wonder if the lauded musician/actor has to deal with any butterflies when going on set these days… “I never did get butterflies, I was never the nervous type. But you do sense the presence of these people and…

Heading back to the set to interview Harry and Nathan, I began watching a few more takes under the guidance of director Charles Martin Smith. Working on Dolphin Tale as production assistant interns, were a handful of University of Tampa students. The film program has really picked up over the last couple years and many people in Hollywood have been taking advantage of the talented bunch the school has produced. Professor Tom Garrett was pleased to inform me that many have been asked to stay on as paid crew members stemming from all their tremendous efforts. Having been on the UT campus and covering the independent film scene in Florida,…

While at lunch, I had a chance to chat with Austin Stowell. Austin plays a pertinent role in the film as the handicapped young army veteran named Kyle. A role that could silence any talk about the above mentioned Free Willy comparison. Austin is a graduate from the University of Connecticut who made the infamous trek out to Los Angeles about two-and-a-half years ago. He jumped into the acting world in high school and continued to receive outstanding reviews while attending college. After graduating, he spent some time working at a restaurant on Martha’s Vineyard, when arguably the most important question – career-wise – was posed to him by a…

The filming of Alcon Entertainment/Warner Bros.’ flick Dolphin Tale, has officially wrapped in Clearwater, Florida. After nearly three months of building complex sets and shooting in a variety of locations around the area, most of the crew – save for the talented locals – are heading back to Los Angeles to begin the tedious editing process. Good news is, the flick based on the true story of Winter the dolphin, is scheduled to hit theaters in October next year. If one is hearing about this project and/or the amazing dolphin housed at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for the first time, take a quick look at this article for a summation…