HOLY COW, "THE MARTIAN" IS AMAZING.

Yesterday, Fox invited me to a special sneak peek presentation of the film with actor Matt Damon and Director Ridley Scott.  Normally, when I attend these events we only get to see 5-10 minute clips from different parts of the film.  However, Ridley Scott decided to show us the first HOUR of the film!  It was such a tease, because now I just want to see the remainder of the movie!! 

In the film, Matt Damon plays a NASA astronaut who, along with his team (Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara, Michael Pena and others), has landed on the planet Mars and is conducting tests and experiments to see if the planet can support human life.  However, a dangerous dust storm strikes forcing the crew to abort their mission and evacuate the planet.  In the midst of their escape, Mark Watney (Damon) is hit by a large piece of metal and disappears.  Presumed dead, his crew and the entire world mourn their loss.  Later, we discover that Watney actually survived the storm and is now stranded alone on Mars, with no way of contacting anyone on Earth.  Skilled with the knowledge of botany, engineering and science, Watney must improvise in order to survive and, hopefully, find a way back home.  The film also stars comedienne Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Sebastian Stan, and recent Academy Award nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Other than the fact that the cast is stellar, the film looks incredible and the story line is so fascinating to me.  Damon does an amazing job as the lead role, who has a mix of snarky humor, wit, brains, and flat out adorableness.   

"The Martian" is based off of a novel written by Andy Weir whom I got to meet and interview at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA.  He had a great story behind how "The Martian" became such a success which ultimately led to his movie deal.  It all started with a blog/personal website (um... future KYLIEWOOD novel written and published by me?? There's hope! ) where the story lived as a serial over the course of several years.  Eventually, his followers wanted him to repackage it in e-reader form.  After his readers struggled to figure out how to download the free e-reader version, he then directly uploaded it to Amazon Kindle and listed it at its minimum selling price of $0.99.  More people ended up paying the buck to download it in Kindle form than in the form that was free! As the book moved its way up the bestsellers list, it eventually fell in to the hands of an agent, which led to a publisher, which led to Fox obtaining movie rights.  Weir, who at the time worked as a computer programmer, would find himself leaving his cubicle to go take calls for his big movie deal, then return to his cubicle to continue working.  I asked him if he still has that job. He told me he was able to quit because he made enough money from "The Martian" deal!

While at JPL, I also got to speak to The Director of Planetary Science at NASA- Dr. Jim Green- who served as a consultant on the film to Director Ridley Scott AND I got to take a tour of the campus! Well, I actually already have seen the entire campus when I visited a few months ago for "Interstellar", but hey!  NASA is ALWAYS fun.

The film comes out October 2, 2015 and, you guys, it is a MUST SEE!  Did I mention the film is scored by Harry Gregson-Williams who is an amazingly talented composer? I love film scores! Two words: OSCAR CONTENDER.

Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg.  We already know they have on-screen chemistry from their 2009 film, “Adventureland”. Their second film together, “American Ultra”, hits theaters August 21st and let me tell you guys, it is FREAKIN' awesome.  One of the best films I've seen this year, American Ultra is the perfect balance of comedy and action.  Jesse Eisenberg totally owns his part and is absolutely hilarious! I got to fly to New York where I sat down with the super rad duo!

A recent VIRAL hit, Funny or Die released an “Awkward Interview” video starring KStew and Eisenberg to promote the upcoming flick.  Based off of a “press junket style” interview, KStew and Eisenberg took turns answering each other “typical” interview questions, and it is hilarious!  Based off of seeing this vid, I knew that the two were going to be down to have some fun in my interview with them!

It’s no surprise that Kristen Stewart, who has gained notable fame from her role as ‘Bella Swan’ in the Twilight series, still maintains a huge, loyal, fan base.  In fact, outside of the lobby entrance to The Four Seasons Hotel, New York (where the interviews took place) stood a crowd of hopeful fans waiting all day for a chance to meet and take a picture with the star.  Despite the massive fame that KStew has gained, she has always been super down-to-earth when I’ve sat down with her.   Paired with Jesse Eisenberg, the two were incredibly excited and pumped to talk about “American Ultra”!  From the second I sat down, they already had massive smiles on their faces and you could tell that they couldn’t wait to start chatting!  I’m sure it also helps that I’m the same age as them, but the interview was basically a hang out between friends who were geeking out about an awesome film.  Although there were so many more questions I wanted to ask the two, I only had five minutes.  We did, however, cover topics like how Eisenberg and KStew find the film and its characters absolutely hilarious, how Eisenberg still laughs whenever he sees the trailers and the daunting hair and makeup process they went through in order to get their, basically, mutilated appearances for their intense action scenes.

Even after the interview ended and the cameras weren’t rolling anymore, they were talking to me and asking me questions! It was an overall great interview, and when the actors are genuinely super excited, and happy to talk to you, it’s even more of a reason to support their film!  I can’t wait for you guys to see the final interview.. and the film!!!

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat at @KylieEricaMar!

I get inspired to write about things I like, and I REALLY liked the PAN movie party hosted by Warner Brothers Studios that I attended this afternoon!

After getting a quick sneak peek of five scenes from the upcoming movie, PAN, introduced by Director Joe Wright and the film’s star, Levi Miller, we went up to the rooftop of the London West Hollywood Hotel for a nice day party!

But, before we get to those fun festivities… let's go over the SIX THINGS I LEARNED ABOUT THE UPCOMING MOVIE, PAN, from today’s footage! (Other than the huge fact that PAN is a prequel story to all of the characters we know, and love, from the other films based on the flying kid in green from the Netherlands.)


1. Hugh Jackman plays Blackbeard, a pirate.  Apparently, it had been Hugh’s lifelong dream to play a pirate! I’ll have to find out why if and when I interview him in September!  Since Hugh has a huge theater background, the director knew he could handle the larger than life scenes.  The first scene he is in shows Hugh leading an insanely large amount of people with a super over-the-top, but great, dramatic performance.  Hugh Jackman is one of my favorite actors to interview, so I can’t wait to see him as the villain!

2. Another one of my favorite actors in Hollywood, (an actress, actually) Amanda Seyfried, has a presence in the film… but you won't see her face a lot throughout. She plays Mary, Peter [Pan]’s mom. 

3. Australian newcomer Levi Miller plays Peter Pan who is basically the chosen one, currently in an orphanage ran by awful nuns and is the hero of the story.

4. Garret Hedlund plays a young Hook, and he’s friends with Peter!!

5. Rooney Mara, who plays Tiger Lily, has a crazy colorful costume with a very LARGE headdress, which apparently was even bigger originally but had to be scaled down!!

6. There are ships that fly in the sky.  Rooney Mara and Hugh Jackman have a super intense fight sequence on the flying ships!  Speaking of fight sequences, one takes place completely on a trampoline! 

The food bar was amazing. They had the best fish and chips I think I've ever had.   In fact, I hope it's a London West Hollywood Hotel original, because I will go back just for that. I wanted to eat like 10 of them!

The party had super colorful outdoor furniture and lots of umbrellas to provide shade for the super hot day.  I hung out with all of my fellow reporters and friends who are currently in town for another movie this weekend.

Let’s just say, I will definitely be campaigning for him to work on that film.  

Yes, I know that Wonder Woman is DC and Silk is Marvel. Calm down people.

Oh yeah, I also finally met the real director Joe Wright and if you think I told him about how I pretty much couldn’t recognize him in a crowd, then you are absolutely right. 

 
That’s it, ladies and gentlemen! Check out my Snapchat – KylieEricaMar.  Moments from the party that I captured will only be up for another 15 hours!!

This past weekend I flew to New York City in order to cover the highly anticipated reimagining of Fantastic Four.  As a fan of the original film created a decade ago, I have been waiting to see this film since it was announced!  

I was 16 years old when I watched the original Fantastic Four movie starring Jessica Alba as the 'Invisible Woman' and Chris Evans (now Captain America) as the 'Human Torch'.  Growing up on cartoons like Spiderman and Justice League, and all of the live-action Batman movies, my brother and I were huge fans of superheroes. (I think I also just wanted to be cool with my brother.)  I'll always remember that original Fantastic Four because it was the first live-action superhero team film I had ever seen.  The idea that you and your friends, while not being born with powers, can somehow become superheroes later in life was mind-blowing to me.  Since Fantastic Four, there has been a significant rise and success of superhero team films like X-Men and, of course, The Avengers.  So, it was about time that Marvel's first superhero team was given a reboot.

Why you should see this movie...

It's not a revival, it's a reimagining.

This new franchise introduces a brand new, younger, cast.  Miles Teller, fresh off of his success in films like Whiplash, The Divergent Series, and Spectacular Now, stars as Reed Richards aka 'Mister Fantastic'.  Michael B. Jordan who became noticed after his critically acclaimed film Fruitvale Station, and was then seen alongside Miles and Zac Efron, is our new 'Human Torch'.  Kate Mara, from the hugely successful Netflix original series House of Cards, is the 'Invisible Woman', and wrapping up the four is Jamie Bell as Ben Grimm aka 'The Thing'.

Not only do we have a fresh cast with actual acting chops, but we also get a brand new story.  I liked being able to watch this movie, and not know exactly what is going to happen next.  Generally, as moviegoers, we like to be surprised.  The way the four meet, and subsequently gain their newfound powers, is completely different than in the original film.

It's a MARVEL film, after all.

Like all Marvel films, there is a touch of humor sprinkled with some light sarcasm and wit. The reason why I like Marvel films so much is the fact that it is based in science and technology, so it is super smart.  

I know I've said this before, but..

Every day, I wake up and wonder why I'm not a superhero.

Marvel films inspire the wildest dreams for kids... and BIG kids.

SURPRISE! I'm ACTUALLY the Invisible Woman in the new Fantastic Four movie!!!!

Ok, I'm just kidding. However, I had a great solid 5 minutes with these guys before our interview started!

While Kate[Mara] was out of the room, and the rest of the crew were getting in to place, I ended up having a few minutes to chat/hang out with the guys!  This moment rarely happens, but it's a really great ice-breaker.  Michael and I actually share a lot of mutual friends, so that also helped create an easy mood and conversation right off the bat with the guys.  As soon as I sat down, Miles was immediately hounding me with questions.  Playfully, he was asking me what I thought about the movie, if I thought the final fight sequence should have been shorter or longer and what I thought about Victor Von Doom in this film.  I gave him my honest answers, which clearly proved I wasn't just there to sweet-talk them or suck up to them.  I think they liked that.  I honestly wish that the whole hangout before the actual interview started was caught on tape, because we probably would have used more of that instead of the actual interview once Kate came back!

I had actually told Miles about my experience watching the original film 10 years ago, and why I liked it so much.  Miles told me he never saw the original film!!  When I interviewed the four of them, I really wanted to know what they wanted to do differently with this film, BECAUSE of the fact that there were already two films established 10 years ago.  Assuming that they had seen the original(s), would the original cast's characters and performances affect their take on their roles?

I've traveled many times to New York to cover movies over the last (almost) decade.  This was the first time I have gotten to stay at the Four Seasons New York!  I loved it.  Their hospitality and customer service is on-fleek.  They only had one bar/lounge that served food in the hotel lobby.  It was super high end, yet they let me order CHICKEN STRIPS.. and they did it with pure pleasure and no judgment.  That's why I love them now.