I have an update for The Celebrity Dinner Party podcast, so be sure to listen and get the latest about what is to come and where the last few podcasts have been!
My final take on Sundance: listen in for all the movies you SHOULD see in 2018! I dish on Bernard and Huey, American Animals, The Tale, RBG, Three Identical Strangers, Shirkers and Quiet Heroes. For more information, visit http://TheDinnerParty.tv .
You had to figure that, among all the great films at Sundance, there would be a bunch that just didn't work...at least, not for me. Of course, just like I couldn't see all the great films at Sundance, there were probably many other films that weren't very good that I didn't get to see. Thus, this list is only of the films that I was able to see and that I thought either didn't come together, weren't well done, or I just flat out didn't get. Listen in to hear my list of a few of the films that you may want to avoid in 2018. For more information, visit http://TheDinnerParty.tv .
From Sundance, I had the chance to interview the pioneer, the survivor, the badass, Joan Jett. Along with Kevin Kerslake, the director of the film on her life, Bad Reputation, Joan tells of the obstacles for women in rock 'n' roll...then and now. Listen in! This pod is inspiring as much as it is informative. For more information, visit http://TheDinnerParty.tv .
From Sundance, I sit down with Nicolas Cage who gets real and tells about the creation of the film, Mandy, with awesome director, Panos Cosmatos, and fellow actor, Linus Roache. The respect and camaraderie are palpable and yes, Nicolas Cage is exactly as you would imagine him! Plus, Nicolas and I talk about his famous art collection and legendary encounter with Dale Chihuly. Check it! Listen in! For more information, visit http://TheDinnerParty.tv/ .
It was an Ethan Hawke love fest on the Blaze film red carpet at the recent Sundance Film Festival. Actors Alia Shawkat, Richie Montgomery and Josh Hamilton gush about their experience on set with Ethan, and it is easy to understand why. I have one of the most sincere and joy-filled conversations with Ethan Hawke, who still holds the torch for his craft as if this was his first movie. Listen in as we talk about the art of making movies, working with friends and the women's movement. For more information, visit http://TheDinnerParty.tv .
A film that got LOTS of buzz at Sundance and won three awards was Search. Directed by newcomer, Aneesh Changaty (won the Audience Award: NEXT and the Albert P. Sloane Award) and produced by award-winner Sev Ohanian, stars Debra Messing and John Cho have lots to say about this new film. In addition, I also dish with Debra on Will and Grace and the women's movement.
Praised for its technologically new approach to filmmaking, I highly recommend Search, a film about a father who takes the law into his own hands and conducts a search for his missing daughter on-line. Listen in! For more information, visit TheDinnerParty.tv/podcast .
From a bustling red carpet awaiting Keira Knightley, I interview Dominic West, Ray Panthaki and director, Wash Westmoreland of the Oscar-worthy film, Colette, at the Sundance Film Festival. For more information, visist TheDinnerParty.tv .
From Sundance, I interview director Ben Lewin of The Catcher Was A Spy movie, featuring Paul Rudd and Paul Giamatti, about the life of Moe Berg. I also interview actor Hiroyuki Senada, review the movie Lizzie starring Chloe Sevigny and Kristen Stewart, and dish on The Game Changers premiere after-party. For more information or to view the video, visit TheDinnerParty.tv/Podcast .
From Sundance, I sit down with ultimate fighter, James "Lightning" Wilks, former special ops, anti-poacher, Damien Mander, athlete and strongman competitor, Patrik Baboumian and former NFL player, Lou Smith, who break open the myth that meat is good for you in the movie, The Game Changers. Specifically, they explain in scientific detail that meat is responsible for significantly increasing the risks for many of the major diseases and that all that we thought we knew about meat is a marketing spin from the meat and dairy industry. Coming from some of the most manly men around, they also prove that eating meat decreases libido and sexual function and produces the opposite result of what manly men actually want. Apparently, real men eat plants!
The movie features Arnold Schwarzenegger, is produced by James Cameron, and is directed by Academy Award winner (The Cove), Louie Psihoyos. Listen in and watch the interview or check out the film at http:// GameChangersMovie.com. For more information, visit TheDinnerParty.tv/Podcast .
In the first of many podcasts from Sundance, I speak with Maggie Gyllenhaal and the cast of the film, The Kindergarten Teacher, from the madness that is the red carpet at the Sundance Film Festival. We talk about the women's movement, art in America, race in America and, of course, film! For more information, visit, TheDinnerParty.tv/Podcast.
Just a chance to say hello as we start the madness of 2018 with the Sundance Festival. This means lots of pods will be coming all at once as I review films and interview celebs in Park City. So I wanted to take this chance before it all breaks loose to welcome you to reach out to me with any feedback at my personal email elysabeth@TheDinnerParty.tv . Looking forward to hearing from you!
Time to get jolly! Chef Mathew Wiltzius of Chicago's Palmer House gets us ready for Christmas. So grab some eggnog and settle in, as chef schools us on ramen, garnishes and bourbon maple syrup!
For more information, visit http://TheDinnerParty.tv/podcast/.
In a never before released interview, I speak with best-selling crime novelist and lawyer, Scott Turow, on writing tips, the death penalty and his hometown. Grab a drink and listen in! For more information, visit http://TheDinnerParty.tv/podcast or view the video here: http://youtu.be/DJGejL83oLE .
Looking for ideas for Thanksgiving? Top Chef Rebecca LaMalfa dishes with me on being a chef during Thanksgiving, some cooking tips, junk food and being married to Michelin-star chef.
For more information, visit http://TheDinnerParty.tv/podcast/ .
Film Director Andrew Davis (The Fugitive, Chain Reaction, Holes, Under Siege, Steal Big, Steal Little) sits down with me at the Third Coast Cafe in Chicago to discuss his most personal and first movie, currently re-released, Stony Island, about his hometown, Chicago, in the 1970s. For more information, visit http://TheDinnerParty.tv/podcast/.
Often regarded as one of the best in his field, graphic novelist Chris Ware, author of the Acme Novelty Library series, Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth and Building Stories, is usually loath to give interviews. I was surprised when Chris, a bit of an insular recluse and not necessarily a people person, accepted my invitation for an interview and invited me into his home studio.
Warm and insightful about how he and other creatives move through the world, I feel that my interview with Chris Ware is one of the most important I have ever done. Enjoy this podcast and to view the video interview from his library-studio, visit http://TheDinnerParty.tv/podcast.
In one of my most intimate interviews, Glen Hansard dishes on life, love, his music and writing process, playing with Bono on Christmas, when to see a shrink and his favorite breakfast at Chicago's Kitsch'n in Roscoe Village. This never before released full interview was recorded at the Hideout just before Hansard came out with "Rhythm and Repose".
For more information and to see the video interview, visit http://TheDinnerParty.tv/podcast .
I head back to my roots as a gallery owner and sit down with one of Chicago's leading art dealers, Aron Packer of Aron Packer Projects (http://AronParckerProjects.com). From WGN Radio, Aron and I chat about what makes a successful gallery and the oddity of both artists and collectors. Plus, we bust the myths of gallery etiquette.
Aron opens a groundbreaking show on September 8th at the Chicago Gallery News offices of hyper realist painter, Cassie Marie Edwards. For more information, visit http://theDinnerParty.tv/podcast .
In an intimate corner of Chicago’s Third Coast Café, Grammy Award Winning Jazz Vocalist Kurt Elling shared his thoughts on jazz, spirituality, the creative work process and being in the moment. Grab a snack and belly up as Kurt has some powerful things to say about the life of an artist and life on the road. For more information, visit http://TheDinnerParty.tv/podcast .
To know him is to love him...and I do! Grab a snack and listen up, as I dish on life, love and music with blues musician, Nicholas Barron. For more information, visit http://TheDinnerParty.tv/podcast .
Actress, singer, beauty pageant queen and drag queen, Alexandra Billings takes us into her world on the most recent episode of The Celebrity Dinner Party. We dish on sexuality, gender, transitioning from Scott to Alexandra and how great it would be if none of it mattered. So grab a snack and settle in to hear about Alexandra's experience on the Emmy-award winning show, Transparent, what it means to be transgender and why we should care.
From the Baton Club, to Chicago's famed Steppenwolf Theatre, to LA's dazzling studio set, Alexandra's got some stories to tell!
To watch the video, visit http://TheDinnerParty.tv/podcast/ .
How do you get your start in music? If you are Grammy-winning Saxophonist Frank Catalano, a gun, a stolen car, Miles Davis, a little luck and gobs of talent comes to mind. Enjoy this intimate conversation with musician-entrepreneur Frank Catalano as he explains how he got his start playing Sax in some of the coolest clubs around, back in the day in Chicago, when he was just 16!
Grab your favorite snack and listen in to The Celebrity Dinner Party with Elysabeth Alfano with featured guest, Frank Catalano. For more information, visit http://TheDinnerParty.tv/podcast .
PS Given the story-telling nature of this interview, this podcast has a bit of a different format. Enjoy!
Are truth and justice still the American Way? Documentary filmmaker, Steve James, joins me in LA to discuss his newest film. Best known for his Academy Award nominated film, Hoop Dreams, and other films such as The Interrupters and Life Itself, James’ newest film is called, Abacus, Small Enough to Jail. Over Steve’s surpise favorite snack, we dish on the movie which centers around The Sung Family’s David and Goliath tale in which they take on the District Attorney of NYC in hopes of saving face, their business, the New York Chinese community and their family name. So grab some good take out and listen in to my interview with director, Steve James.
For more information, visit http://TheDinnerParty.tv/podcast .
Energies were high as Academy Award winner (The Queen), Dame Helen Mirren and Academy Award winning director (Ray), Taylor Hackford, who is also her husband, graced the red carpet of Cinema Chicago’s Spring Gala. Mirren received the prestigious Gold Hugo Award for her Career Achievement in Acting and Hackford received the same for his Career Achievement in Directing. In a rare moment of “communal red carpeting”, Mirren and Hackford walked the carpet together, his arm tightly around her waist, and her holding his hand firmly there, never more than an inch from each other’s side. The two have been married for over 20 years and together for almost 35.
With the elegance and sophistication that we have come to know from Mirren, she discusses how she chooses roles and why she decided to get married after so many years. Iin a light hearted and off-the-cuff response from Hackford, we learn if directing means being a best friend or being a bastard. To watch the video that accompanies this audio interview, go to http://TheDinnerParty.tv/podcast
Cinema/Chicago, the parent organization of the Chicago International Film Festival, is a year-round non-profit arts and education organization dedicated to fostering better communication between people of diverse cultures through the art of film and the moving image.
For more information, visit chicagofilmfestival.com and http://TheDinnerParty.tv/podcast .