Jason Bourne has a new star, Ato Essandoh

Braver, bolder and badder than ever before, #BourneIsBack with a vengeance! AtoEssandoh is adding his flavor to a new cast that is more diverse than the previous BOURNE installments, as he has joined Matt Damon in this summer’s action-packed film, JASON BOURNE.  Ato has starred in quite a few films such as, ‘Django Unchained’, ‘Blood Diamond’ and ‘Hitch’.  

We had a chance to talk with Ato. Here are the excerpts:

Art Shrian: Congratulations from another boy of Mr James Price of Acting Studio.

Ato Essandoh: Wow, awesome. I love James. Great talking to you. That’s so cool!

AS: It’s a personal honor talking to you. Let’s talk about the film. It’s wonderful. Lotta action. Relevant to current times. How did you land this gig?

AE: It was another audition like 1000s I have done over years. I have done so many, that I forgot about it. When I got the call, I didn’t even remember, what the part was. Suddenly I was on a plane to ENgland. Met Paul Greengrass. And it slowly started sinking in. It’s one of my favorite franchise. ANd it’s only project I mentioned to my dad.

AS: So he’s like, now you have made it son.

AE: yeah. He doesn’t even watch movies much. But he knew Jason Bourne. It’s that popular. It’s that movie!

AS: Talk to me about the role. It’s very interesting. He’s not bad, but he’s working with bad guy. It makes it so interesting. And you make it so believable.

AE: The first thing I remember was, being in a role like that, I never think of it as bad or good person. Because everyone believes they are behaving in good way, for good reason. So what I kept coming for, is that he’s loyal, true patriot and believes in his boss, played by Tommy Lee Jones. Now, this is my first big action movie. I have done lot of very emotional, dramatic role. But advice I got from Matt Damon, that don’t think too much about what You’re doing. Just go as fast you can. And it works! It was very interesting acting note, and exercise. All the acting stuff we learnt, as you remember, from James, goes out. There’s a bomb ticking, and you have to keep going.

AS: How was working with Matt Damon, Alicia Vikander and this wonderful cast?

AE: Many. Matt Damon is extremely, really-really famous. You don’t realise it unless you are around someone like that. And he’s very laid back cool guy. He’s also Jason BOurne, who can disappear in a second. But Matt Damon is different. Now Matt, Alicia Vikander and I were shooting a scene for the movie in a casino in Las Vegas. There were few extras and stuff, but rest were all regular people. While Matt is playing Bourne, hiding in a corner, people were taking his video. It was so funny. A great juxtaposition of reality and virtuality. Bourne can hide, but you cannot hide Matt Damon. Everyone in the world knows who Jason is.

Another story is about Alicia who almost got us killed. We all went for hiking, and Alicia decided to go this way, where we all almost fell into a cliff. But we thankfully we survived. That was fun!

AS: How was your experience with the wonderful director Paul Greengrass?

AE: I had never met him before. So looking at his body of work, all this gritty action stuff, intense, violent stuff. I thought I would be meeting this Clint Eastwoody dangerous person. But he’s such a kind laid back guy. He loves soccer, and watching games. He knows exactly what he wants, and once done, he’ll go grab a beer and watch a soccer match. It was wonderful. I hope one day, I’ll be able to work with him in a larger capacity.

AS: Absolutely. You do great job in the film. You set great precedent to be next Bourne, or James BOnd or leading guy in an action movie. You are amazing in the film.

AE: Thanks a lot. I would love that!

AS: So, SPOILER: Are you alive after the movie or dead? I hope not.

AE: I don’t know. I hope so too. Although Matt reminded me, that I’m the 2nd guy in BOurne franchise to get a shot at Bourne and wound him. So even if I die, Craig Jeffers will be legendary in Bourne franchise.

AS: You have background in engineering. And now you are an actor. It’s a brutal field. But you decided to be an actor. WHY?

AE: Haha. Everything is brutal. After college, I decided, I wanna find something that makes me happy. And acting is what makes me happy. So after college, I figured, I can be in a chemical engineering lab, and be miserable. Although I liked it, but there was something missing. So I had to find and do something, that makes me happy. Which is acting. For up & coming actors, I’ll be honest and tell this that it’s a marathon. I went to James school in 97-98, and now we are talking in 2016 that I’m in a Bourne movie. HBO Vinyl, Django, it all happened in last few years. So remember, there’s a lot ahead of you. If you are sprinting now, you won’t get to end. So take your time, live your life and act as much as you can.

AS: Awesome, thanks a lot for that. So, you are New Yorker. So tell us what’s your most favorite and least favorite thing about New York?

AE: My most favorite thing is not hot having to own a car. I absolutely love that. The least favorite thing is winter. When the winter hits, and you have to hit slushy snow in 30s, it’s my least favorite thing about New York. But I won’t change it for the world man. I love New York.

AS: Thanks so much for talking to us Ato. Congratulations for the film and all the best!

SYNOPSIS: Jason Bourne, now remembering who he truly is, tries to uncover hidden truths about his past.

Directed by: Paul Greengrass

Cast: Alicia Vikander, Matt Damon, Julia Stiles,  Tommy Lee Jones, Vincent Cassel, Ato Essandoh

Official website: http://www.jasonbournemovie.com

Like Jason Bourne on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBourneSeries

Follow Jason Bourne on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonbourne

Follow Jason Bourne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonbourne/

Jason Bourne - Official Trailer In Theaters July 29 http://www.jasonbournemovie.com Matt Damon returns to his most iconic role in Jason Bourne. Paul Greengrass, the director of The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, once again joins Damon for the next chapter of Universal Pictures' Bournefranchise, which finds the CIA's most lethal former operative drawn out of the shadows.

STAR TREK BEYOND (4/4): It's awesome, and beyond!

What makes a movie good? I believe, if you're able to enjoy the movie, while you watch it. What makes it great? Is, you are able to enjoy it after you step out of the theater. STAR TREK BEYOND, has both. That's what makes it awesome!

***Spoilers***

The Enterprise is midway through its 5 year excursion. Captain Kirk is getting disillusioned with his monotonous journey in the unending universe. Spock wants to leave the ship, to go serve Vulcans, in the light of death of Ambassador Spock. Sulu, who's revealed to be gay, misses his partner and daughter. Others are suffering through the pain of this long long journey, in their own way. After a refill at Yorktown (New York), they are asked to head over for a rescue mission to a nearby nebula. Before Kirk can assure himself of this being a trap, they are attacked by a swarm of droid ships, destroying the Enterprise ship and capturing lot of crew. Kirk & Chekov, Scotty, and hurt Spock & McCoy are stranded on the planet. They eventually unite with the help of Jaylah, an alien scavenger and warrior, who has made home of the USS Franklin, an old starfleet ship. But now they have to search for and save the rest of the crew, along with Uhura and Hulu.

This whole thing was planned by Krall, a ruthless military commander, who's on the planet and wants an artifact that was aboard Enterprise. He eventually manages to get it, and is planning on attacking the Federation, Yorktown first. Kirk manages to save his crew, with help from his team. They they manage to fly Franklin, to save Yorktown from the attack by Krall. Turns out, Krall was once human captain of Franklin who went insane during his time stranded at the planet. Kirk battles Krall in life support hub, and eventually manages to defeat him, narrowly avoiding death himself.

***spoilers end***

Chris, Zachary, Karl, Zoe, Simon, John and Anton (may he RIP!) are great as usual. Idris Alba is a great villain, and does amazing job. Sofia Boutella as Jaylah is wonderful. The performances of entire cast are great. The action sequences are breathtakingly good. And the Star Trek Nostalgia is all there. Director Justin Lin does a wonderful job of making a wonderful film.

I went to watch the film with my dad, who doesn't know much about Star Trek. This was his first Star Trek project he saw. And tell you what, he really enjoyed it. I even saw him gasp through the film, with joy. And that says a lot about appeal of this film. Go, watch it!

Brad Furman's THE INFILTRATOR is ready to infiltrate your best crime-drama list!

The Infiltrator is an amazing film. A suspenseful, emotional, crime drama, that keeps you on edge of your seat, but also makes you smile, laugh, and almost cry.

Amazing performances by Bryan Cranston and John Leguizamo, with brilliant direction from Brad Furman. The screenplay is crisp, and the cinematography is beautiful. A wonderful "mob film", that will be remembered.

It’s directed by Brad Furman and written by Ellen Brown Furman (Brad’s mother), based on the autobiography of the same name by Robert Mazur, a U.S. Customs special agent. Mazur helps bust Pablo Escobar's money-laundering organization by using his alias, "Bob Musella." The film stars Bryan Cranston, Diane Kruger, Benjamin Bratt, John Leguizamo and Amy Ryan.

Art Shrian from myNewYorkeye, had an opportunity to talk to the wonderful director Brad Furman. Here are the excerpts:

Art Shrian: Congratulations on the wonderful film. I could not even get up to pee, since the movie was so tense and gripping, honestly. I really enjoyed, the tension, thrill, drama and everything about the film. Good Job Brad!

Brad Furman: (laughs) Thank you very much. I’m so glad to hear that. Thanks!

AS: So tell us about how did this movie came along?

BF: My friend from college, Don Sikorski, brought me the book. And he felt very confident that this was a movie we had to make. I read the book, and was totally blown away, and completely agreed with him, that this movie had to be made. The most of the core of the movie, and the conflict he (Robert Mazur, Bryan Cranston’s character) was in, in trying to be friends with people, and then having to betray them, and the conflict he was in, was very very interesting.

AS: I really enjoyed the human element of the film, where you were able to build sympathy for almost every character. It’s beautifully written, by Ellen Brown Furman. Great job. How did you end up with this wonderful cast?

BF: I made it a family affair. Benjamin Bratt and Yul Vazquez, I have known for over 20 yrs, going back to ,my days my assistant to Julia Roberts. I’ve always wanted to work with them as characters. John Leguizamo starred in my first movie. So an opportunity to bring him in such a powerful role was amazing, i’m very proud of. I‘ve built these relationships with these wonderful people, and it translates very very much on screen as well.

AS: Talking about relationships, you have a wonderful set of friends. And you are very much an Actor’s director, which we can see on screen and in the wonderful performances. What will be your advice to young filmmakers and storytellers on that side?

BF: In age of digital cinema, the reality is simple, that you go out and shoot, shoot, shoot. The crucial reality is that, it will give you an opportunity to learn, explore and evolve. But as an Actor’s director, you want to be able to put yourself in a situation that you’re casting actors that are elevate the words on the page and elevate the craft. Embody the movie in a way, so that it moves you and means something to you. So as a result, you get great art. It’s hard to articulate to young filmmakers, that how important it is to cast properly. When i’m casting these roles, I go with my gut, and instincts as to who makes sense, who’s right for the role.

AS: What was the hardest part of making this film?

BF: There’s no question that there’s real challenges to making a period film. There was a pressure on me, which was constantly mounting. But hopefully great filmmaking is that you take those challenges, and work in that construct, and being creative, you accomplish it. I just looked at those challenges, and came up with creative ways to resolve.

AS: And yes, the film does look beautiful. One of my favorite scene in the film is

BF: Bob gave us so many stories, and it was a lot. You get so many stories in these films and it’s difficult to keep some, and cut some. But you have to make that compromise. You go through a process of trying to be as precise as possible. You keep rewriting and reworking, until editor’s table. But I didn’t make any decision without consulting Bob. He was with me side-by-side. And that’s how I was able to balance the truth, and storytelling for the movie.

AS: So what’s next for you?

BF: I have a TV show that Bryan Cranston is producing, something i’m very proud of. There are some very personal stories I’m working on. But it’s a challenge every day to get complex character driven movies made. But I’m in a good place, fighting a good fight.

AS: What’s your most favorite and Least Favorite thing about New York?

BF: New York City is my home to me. This is where I grew up, matured, went to film school, became a man. It’s the core of the essence of how I interpret the sounds and sights of the streets, as I walk by the city. There’s no question, beyond the shadow of doubt, that I’m deeply inspired by the roots and history of my years here early on. I hope I get to come here and make a movie, and evoke the New York stories, as they would say. The least favorite thing, probably would be big rats (laughs). I find them slightly interesting. I like everything about New York - the diversity, the grit, the everything.

AS: True that. Congratulations again and thanks for talking to us.

Watch the latest trailer for The Infiltrator, starring Bryan Cranston. The Infiltrator is coming to theatres July 13, 2016. Based on a true story, Federal agent ROBERT "BOB" MAZUR (Bryan Cranston) goes deep undercover to infiltrate Pablo Escobar's drug trafficking scene plaguing the nation in 1986 by posing as slick, money-laundering businessman Bob Musella.

In Theaters July 13th!

Starring: Bryan Cranston, John Leguizamo, Diane Kruger, Benjamin Bratt, Yul Vazquez, Amy Ryan, Joseph Gilgun, Saïd Taghmaoui and Olympia Dukakis.

Directed by: Brad Furman

Based on a true story, Federal agent ROBERT "BOB" MAZUR (Bryan Cranston) goes deep undercover to infiltrate Pablo Escobar’s drug trafficking scene plaguing the nation in 1986 by posing as slick, money-laundering businessman Bob Musella. Teamed with impulsive and streetwise fellow agent EMIR ABREU (John Leguizamo) and rookie agent posing as his fiancé KATHY ERTZ (Diane Kruger), Mazur befriends Escobar’s top lieutenant ROBERTO ALCAINO (Benjamin Bratt). Navigating a vicious criminal network in which the slightest slip-up could cost him his life, Mazur risks it all building a case that leads to indictments of 85 drug lords and the corrupt bankers who cleaned their dirty money, along with the collapse of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International, one of the largest money-laundering banks in the world.

Official Site: http://www.theinfiltrator.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infiltratormov/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/InfiltratorMov

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infiltratormov/

Hashtags: #TheInfiltrator

THE CONGRESSMAN: A good watch, this July 4th!

If you want to watch something new and interesting this July weekend, THE CONGRESSMAN, can make a good pick. Checkout our previous post about the film. The film is available on VOD right now!

Congressman Charlie Winship (Treat Williams) is at a crossroads in his life both personally and professionally. After he publicly refuses to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance he finds himself in a downward spiral. From being badgered by the media to being undermined by conniving lobbyist, Laird Devereaux (George Hamilton), Charlie needs to find a way out of this series of unfortunate events. He embarks on a journey with his Chief of Staff, Jared (Ryan Merriman) to a small remote island of the coast of Maine, where he comes into contact with an offbeat group of constituents who are fighting to protect their island and livelihood.

Through experiencing a different way of life Charlie is re-introduced to the ideals that molded him. Making the choice to go toe to toe with his past may give him a second chance at personal happiness, professional enlightenment, and perhaps, even a lifetime supply of lobster.

CAST | Treat Williams, George Hamilton, Elizabeth Marvel and Ryan Merriman

DIRECTED BY | Congressman Robert J. Mrazek and Jared Martin

PRODUCED BY | Jared Martin, Fred Roos

SCREENPLAY BY | Robert J. Mrazek

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