Interrogation - A Movie That Felt Like A Roller Coaster Ride

Ciao a tutti,

I was invited to see a screening of a movie short called "Interrogation" at the Raleigh Studios Charlie Chaplin Theater in Hollywood by a very beautiful lady, Ellen Bradley Ganus. The movie with Producers Don LaFontaine, Paul Pape, Josh Daugherty and Red Wall Productions starred her husband Paul Ganus, and that is as much as I knew about the movie.

I said hello to Ellen as I walked in and she introduced her husband and some friends that were sitting next to her in a packed theater that sat about 100 of her closest friends, Industry folk, business associates, and I was to find out later, some of the leading Doctors in the world. But I am getting ahead of myself.

I sat myself down and directed my attention at the big screen directly above me as the screening was about to start. Then without a warning I was taken on one of the most emotional roller coaster rides of my life. I couldn't believe it. No one had said anything about this movie, at least they could have said "fasten your seat belt." This was a ride, and for the actors a ride of their life, literally, especially Paul himself.

It was a short like no other, that packed a punch and hit you right were it hurts. It was the true story of Paul and Ellen's experience with their little boy's disease, aplastic anemia, which is a condition where the bone marrow stops working. I'm getting choked up just thinking about it. I don't know how much I want to say, but I think these were the longest fourteen minutes, or whatever it was, I have ever experienced in a movie theater.

Needless to say, the movie was well made and acted. Oh, and get this, you want a tear jerker, the part of the dying son was played by their actual son Tyler and the frightened daughter/sister, their daughter Spencer, and yes the grieving mother, Ellen herself.

I did not know Ellen very well at that point and so I didn't know that those were her kids and I didn't know this whole story or how it ended. And though I don't want to tell you too much so as to not spoil the story in case you happen to see it, I have to tell you this part. At the end of the film, amongst tears and angst, Paul spoke to the audience as Ellen left the room. I thought it was because she couldn't handle it, but happily, it was because she went left to go get Spencer and Tyler, her daughter and son, the star of the show himself.

He walked in all smiles and waved at everyone and you have never seen a roller coaster of emotions take that whole room from sadness to joyfulness and gratitude for the life and smile of this little blessed boy. Actually, if you see the whole family, they all look blessed. Now you understand why the Doctors where there. And to understand why it was called "Interrogation," you just have to see the movie.


Above is a picture of Ellen and I and below it a picture including her husband Paul. At any rate, like anything else I do, there is usually an Italian connection. As I left the screening and headed to the after party, I was followed by a beautiful young lady, no doubt, she used to be a model. When she finally caught up with me, with her man in toe, she said, "excuse me, aren't you Filippo Voltaggio?" I smiled and answered back yes. She went on to say that she enjoyed me in the "Three Paisans" last week and that she was Joey Gian's sister, Nicole Giangrosso, one of the "Three Paisans."

We got into this discussion of "what kind of Italian are you?" She had come up with a system I had never heard before of using the city in America where one is born and combining it with the word "Italian," and that was how she determined what kind of Italian one was. It was actually quite humorous and I unfortunately can't remember how it all played out but I hope she will comment on this when she sees this post and tell us all how it works.

Here is a picture of John Ware and I, the Founder and Executive Director of a really interesting film competition that was going on as we spoke. It is called the "168 Hour Film Project - a theme, a verse, a week."

If I have it right, all the entrants gather as the competition starts and are told the theme of this year's contest. Then they all pick papers out of a hat in which there is written a verse from the Bible. From there they have a week, hence the 168 hours, to create a film from start to finish staying within the theme and using the Bible verse. He told me what the theme was this year but I am not allowed to say it. I hope he gives us an update however because it has certainly peeked my curiosity.

There were many other Industry people there with whom I took pictures but unfortunately I can't remember every one's names and not every one had cards on them, because they weren't there to mix, they were there to see a movie and support the Ganus Family.

But that didn't stop me from taking pictures and having a great time at the after party. Whoever can identify some of these people, please comment so we all can know who they are.


This one lady however I cannot forget. She made me an offer I could not refuse. I took it as a big compliment. She is Jody, a Membership Counselor for "Together - Let Us Introduce You." We were hitting it off so well and then she hit me with the question, "Are you single?"

I wasn't sure if she was going to propose to me right there or what. In actuality, she did, she proposed that she could make me a member of "Together" for free because she thought I would be a good asset, or she liked my asset, I don't remember much after that.

Evidently, she has a roster of over 1600 singles who have paid for her services. She's a matchmaker, and she does it the old fashioned way. She actually has met all these people and has hand picked them and matches them up without a computer except the ingenious one in her head. Isn't that cool?







I didn't know people still did that. I first heard of that in the movie "Fiddler on the Roof" when I saw it as a kid. I am sure there is an Italian version of a matchmaker, other than Italian Mothers, and I wonder what she would be called. At any rate, I was flattered and a good time was had by all.

That is amazing to say after the kind of movie we had all just seen, but it had a happy ending, a very happy ending!

To the Ganus family, and to their HEALTH!

Filippo

P.S. Bringing it back to the Italian connection, here is an "Interrogation" of another kind. This is a video I found on Youtube.com and it is in Italian, but I would venture to guess that anyone can figure it out. That is, anyone but the beautiful young ladies in the video who have talents to offer other than being able to recognizing the images presented them in the Italian weekly game show "La Pupa E Il Secchione - Interrogazione Pupe." (In Italian)

Ennio, Franco and Clint Eastwood - Oh My!

Ciao a tutti,

Oh what a night! I was invited last night to a private event held by the Consul General of Italy, Diego Brasioli, at the Cultural institute for the purpose of meeting and interviewing Oscar honoree, Ennio Morricone, for our radio show "Filippo and the Chef."

I had been to the Italian Cultural Institute many times but it was never like it was last night. From valets parking cars to heavy security at the door, to ticket takers at the door not letting anyone in unless they either had tickets or where on the list. I drove with two of my friends, who had tickets. Isabella Carlini, who works at Paramount, had gotten two tickets from the Studio and had invited composer, and mutual friend of ours, Marco Missinato.

I didn't have a ticket but was told by the Consul General that my name would be on the list. Well, my friends got in, no problem, and they turned to see me giving my name to the list taker, and hearing her say my name wasn't on it.

Come to think of it, since she knew me, I wonder if she was just pulling my chain. Just as she was saying this, Elisabetta, the Consul's secretary saw me and grabbed my hand and brought me in, grazie Elizabetta.

Once inside, the tables were turned with my friends who weren't allowed upstairs into Fracesca Valente's big, beautiful office, where the press was meeting with Ennio, but I was. Of course, I found a way to get them up and can I say, a good time was had by all. As if meeting and interviewing Ennio the night before he was to be honored with an Oscar at the Academy Awards wasn't enough, guess who showed up, Clint Eastwood. I learned that night that he would be presenting the Oscar to Ennio.

The press went wild when Clint walked in, it was quite a frenzy. I just stayed back and watched it happen knowing I would have my moment with Ennio and I was hoping Cint too, afterwards. And so it was to be the case.

It was interesting how some of my friends didn't understand why I was so excited about interviewing Ennio since they didn't know him. I assured them all that they knew him and all I had to do was whistle a few notes of the opening theme song for "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly," and they then got excited too.

This was perhaps a once in a lifetime opportunity too because it is interesting to learn that Ennio, who has scored over 400 movies has never stepped foot in Hollywood, or for that matter, the US. He supposedly has been offered all kinds of money and incentives over the years, including a villa in Los Angeles, to come here and work with the studios, but he has always declined. Now here he was, and I was about to interview him.

I had of course known of his music since I remember hearing the theme song I referred to earlier, but I came to know his name when I was taken by his music for "The Mission." That theme with the oboe line is heaven sent. If you haven't heard the soundtrack, you owe yourself at least a listen to that piece called "Gabriel's Oboe."

I was so grateful that the Maestro, at the end of our interview gifted me a CD, that was going to be released after Celine sang his song on the Oscars, called "We All Love Ennio Morricone," especially since it has that instrumental piece.

What can I say, he was so gracious and forthcoming with his answers and I could have talked to him all evening. Getting my friends in to meet him was special to me too especially since Marco is Italian and has known of him all his life. This is the case not only because the majority of the Maestro's movie and TV scoring has been on Italian films and shows, but also Marco, being a musician and composer has known and admired Ennio for years.

I especially thought it was interesting because, just a week or so before I had interviewed Marco because he officially released his CD Series called Pets Love Music and launched the complimentary company and website for the series which includes music for Dogs, Cats and Horses, yes horses. Veterinarians, animal whisperers, trainers and everyday animal owners and pet lovers swear to the effects of music on animals, and the positive effects of his music in particular.

I of course have heard all of his Cds and own them all, as well as have purchased them for friends and family, pet owners and non-owners alike, because the music is for everyone. You can learn more about it when we air the interview with Marco on our show next week, or you can go to our website and hear the interview in the archives.

This picture of Marco and the Maestro felt like a passing of the baton. You can see how the Maestro is smiling, truly it was his first and only smile of the evening, and he gave it to Marco.

Technically, we cannot say that in this picture Maestro Morricone was passing the baton to Maestro Missinato, because Ennio has movies he is scheduled to compose well into 2008 already, and we can expect for many years after that. This is what he said in the interview and I can't wait for you all to hear it. It should air in a couple Sundays from now, but again, if you miss it, you can always go to www.FilippoandtheChef.com and catch it in our archives.

If that wasn't enough, I got to share a moment with Clint Eastwood and talk to him about Monterey and Carmel. We all know he had been the Mayor of Carmel for years, and I was born and raised in Monterey the next city north of there. He was very pleasant and gracious as well, considering everyone wanted his time.

I can imagine it was a busy time for both of them. It was a treat to see them both on TV on Sunday. Yes, on TV, can you believe it, I wasn't invited. I was just as surprised as you are, he, he. But hey, I got more than I bargained for regarding the Oscars in this one evening alone. Next year however, I want the Red Carpet!

Speaking of more than I bargained for, I got to meet and get my picture taken with the great Italian actor Franco Nero. If you think you don't know him either, you would be surprised if you clicked on his name and saw all the films he has done. Oh, that reminds me, Ennio Morricone also wrote music for "Cinema Paradiso," now, that I know you know!

And again, speaking of getting more than I bargained for, as if all this wasn't enough for one evening, Isabella surprised me with passes to a private screening of "Dream Girls" on the lot of Paramount Studios in the screening theater where they premiered it, two nights before it was expected to win many Oscars. How cool was that? I can tell you, too cool.

I had seen at least one movie there before, for an actual premier, and the experience is always welcome. The seats alone are the most comfortable movie seats you ever will sit in. I understand that when they were first purchased they cost $8K each or something like that. And boy was this the perfect place to see a movie with music in it. As you would expect, the sound system was out of this world.

I myself was out of this world. I was flying so high, grateful for an evening of a lifetime. Here are pictures of Isabella and I after asking the Security Guard to indulge us a bit by taking our picture in front of the theater which, as you can see was already being prepared for a red carpet event on Oscar night. And I wasn't invited to that either, can you imagine?

Finally, here is a picture that the guard insisted we take. He walked with us to these gates while telling us the story and why we had to take our pictures. He said that these were the original gates that Frank, Dean, and Jerry used to use when they worked on the Paramount lot. Now what made him say that, to me of all people, I don't know. But having just performed "The Three Paisans" a couple days before, I took that as a good omen!

Amen!

Filippo

P.S. If you haven't seen this Oscar clip, or even if you have, you will get a kick out of it, if not chocked up. This clip begins immediately after Clint Eastwood speaks of him and after they showed a clip of Ennio conducting an orchestra playing a medley of his most recognizable movie music. You will delight at his modesty and sincerity as Ennio Morricone accepts his Oscar; expresses gratitude to his piers and to those who wanted him to have this honor; wishes this award to all those who deserve it; and finally dedicates it to his wife Maria. (In English and Italian)

Three Cheers For - The Three Paisans

Ciao tutti,

What can I say about my own show? Well, actually, it wasn't just my show so I guess I can say lots. It was a great show, I mean really, what can I say? I can say this, I had a lot of fun and so did the audience. First of all it was a sold out crowd and it was so funny. It was held at the Catalina Jazz Club which is a traditional Jazz Supper Club, very high end, in other words, not cheap, and they do things a certain way, and they get a wealthy clientele... you get the picture.

Well, the night of The Three Paisans, the place magically turned into a classy Las Vegas club of the '50's or something, reminiscent of an evening where Frank, Dean and Sammy would appear. And it is not just me that is saying that, the audience said that, and better yet, the Catalina management said the same thing.

So many "paisans" came out to see three of their own and to have a nice evening out, and they were ready to party and have some fun. The audience started coming in, in their furs and Italian suits, and you knew this was going to be a grand affair. Minutes before we were due to go on stage, the manager came to us in the green room and said that we couldn't start yet because they were behind in serving the food.

He went on to say that in the years that he has managed the place he had never seen anything like this. He said, "No one is sitting down to order, everyone is walking around talking to everyone else and hugging and kissing and no one is ordering." We had to laugh and we knew we were in the right place and we knew our audience was too. These we Italians! Gotta love it! We have a flair, don't we?

We didn't start till almost an hour afterwards and the timing couldn't have been better, not just the timing on when we started, but the timing of the three of us on stage. To say we had fun is an understatement. We all knew each other and we knew each others' work, but we had never been all three on the same stage at the same time "doin' tings togeda, you know what I mean?" And to watch it unfold was a blast for us.

From the reaction of the audience during the show, the standing ovation, and them hanging around afterwards not wanting to leave, I would say it was a party that has to be repeated.

Oh, and do I have to splain that everyone had a comment or suggestion to make. "You shudda done this song," "You shudda said this...." "Next time tell this joke..." We knew we had been successful in inviting the audience to have a good time with us when they felt so part of our family that they felt like they should tell us what to do.

Then again, when I tink about it, the audience was full of actors, directors, producers, agents, and all of them Italian, except Debbie Gibson, you remember her, well hold on cause she's making a comeback. Anyway, back to my story, they were all from Hollywood and all of them were our friends, so what would you expect? On the contrary, it couldn't have been better, except maybe us having had a second show. But we got those offers too, so I am sure I'll be writing more about that in the future.

Before the night was over Frankie opened up his restaurant, "Frakies on Melrose" for us so we could have a drink and celebrate together. Since I was on stage most of the time, I didn't take too many pictures, you know what I mean? But afterwards I took these of Joey Mike and I with a few friends, like Frankie's lovely daughters.

There, have I said too much? You just had to be there! And maybe you will be, who knows, "The Three Paisans" might just be coming to a theater near you.

Filippo


P.S. Here is a video I thought you all would enjoy. It is of the "Rat Pack," with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. with Dean's background vocals to the song "Ain't That a Kick In The Head." Now, Joey and I sang that, but those of you who were there know we changed the words a little bit. And by the way, contrary to popular belief, Frank, Dean and Sammy were not the original rat packers, there was another group before them called that. Anybody know who? In the words of Mike Marino, "I could tell you, but I don't want to be a snitch." (Background Song in English)

Introducing "The Three Paisans" Joey, Mike & Filippo

Ciao a tutti,

Today we officially introduced the first show of the newly formed group, "The Three Paisans." The story goes that Hollywood entertainment Attorney Claire Ambrosio was talking to Jimmy Kimmel's wife one day. Although Claire works primarily in the movie industry, she has retained the right to work, on an as needed basis, with her three favorite, living, Italian-American entertainers, i.e. Joey, Mike and Me.

So, during this conversation Claire says something like, "it sure would be easier to work with them if they were all together." I guess the light bulb went off and they both looked at each other like she had just hit upon the next best idea since "American Idol." Out of that conversation came the idea for "The Three Paisans," with a working title of "The Three Gumbas."

That very week Claire set up a dinner meeting with me to discuss this. I liked it right away but I didn't care for the name. I also liked the idea of including a female singer.

That weekend I met up with Joey and Mike and we talked it through and decided we were in. So Claire set it up for the four of us to meet and talk this out officially. Well, we all thought it was a great idea but we couldn't agree on the name. Either Joey or Mike came up with "Three Wise Guys and a Broad" or was it "Three Gumbas and a Dame?" In any case, none of that stuck, and we couldn't decide on a female singer, but by the end of that dinner meeting, "The Three Paisans" had been born.

I wanted to take a picture of us that night because I knew history was being made, but for some reason, we didn't get around to it. Well, history is still being made everyday, and so it's never too late. Speaking of pictures, above are pictures of us on our first official poster. Remember you saw it here first.

See you at the show,

Filippo

P.S. I thought it fitting for my fans who may not know Mike Marino to remind them that we recorded an interview with him a few months back on the Filippo and the Chef show number 14 the "Bruschetta and Oven Dried Tomatoes" show. To hear that go to www.FilippoandtheChef.com and click on Shows and Recipes. Here is a clip of Mike cutting it up with fellow Italian-American host and comedian, Jay Leno, and Italian Model, Fabio, on ABC's Tonight Show, and more.... (In English)