Interview

CHICAGO – Welcome to a new HollywoodChicago.com column called CineOnSceneChicago. “Cine” is a French word derived from “cinematograph,” is pronounced like its connector word “scene” and roughly means “moving picture”. Our goal is to present a moving picture of the Chicago film scene and have fun with it, too. The debut focuses on Chicago filmmaker Darryl Roberts.

CHICAGO – Sitting down with Oscar-winning actor Chris Cooper and Ira Sachs – the director of Cooper’s latest film, “Married Life,” which opened on March 14, 2008 in Chicago – is to marvel at the passion and commitment these two high-level professionals bring to this entertaining, poignant and hilarious new film.

I interviewed actor and director Denzel Washington on Dec. 6 on the topic of “The Great Debaters,” which is the second film he has directed. “The Great Debaters” opens on Christmas.

CHICAGO – On the other end of the phone, Mary Lynn Rajskub (best known to most Americans as Chloe O’Brian on the hit television show “24”) tells me her Thanksgiving plans.

Even though her voice is sweet and humble as we discuss the logistics and square footage needed to properly deep fry a turkey, something in my mind can’t separate her from the government agent she plays.

CHICAGO – Diablo Cody fittingly ushered in her Chicago “Juno” junket in classic Diablo Cody style: The night prior, she blogged with brevity where she’d be kicking back and when.

CHICAGO – “If you didn’t watch the film and looked at people watching it, you’d see they’re constantly ducking and grabbing at things,” said IMAX Filmed President Greg Foster. “IMAX 3D is at the bridge of your nose.”

CHICAGO – “Evening,” which failed to materialize in two previous attempts, was finally filmed in the hands of Hungarian director Lajos Koltai.

CHICAGO – Haunted by the non-fictional ghost he was portraying, Steve Zahn – who previously had been typecast by Hollywood as a comic reliever – lost 40 dead-serious pounds for “Rescue Dawn” to walk the same footsteps of a POW four decades earlier.

CHICAGO – “Playing out extreme or unusual characters in the straightest of ways is what makes deadpan serious so funny,” said “Eagle vs. Shark” director Taika Waititi. “It is the antidote to slapstick.”