Archive for the ‘Articles’ Category
Elizabeth Banks talks to Premiere about why ‘Zack and Miri’ could be a blueprint for how to get out of today’s economic crisis — or at least take your mind off of it for a while.
Elizabeth Banks is probably best known for her role as the showerhead-loving bookstore clerk Beth in The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and her turn as Zach Braff’s girlfriend in Scrubs. In each of those roles, the 34-year-old Banks exhibited an open-hearted charm and a sly intelligence that belied the goofy-blonde stereotype of her characters, stealing every scene she was in. But rather than a one-trick comedic actress, Banks has proved real diversity in her roles; once you knew who she was, it turned out that she was everywhere — from the Spider-Man films to Seabiscuit to Slither. This month alone has given us two very different Bankses: first up, she channeled Laura Bush in Oliver Stone’s W., and this week, she returns to comedy (and sex) with her starring role in Kevin Smith’s Zack and Miri Make a Porno, in which Banks and Seth Rogen play roommates who decide to cast, direct, and act in a porn to raise money. The film has already earned buzz for its raciness, Smith’s fights with the MPAA for an R rating, censoring of the posters in the U.S., and more (like an ongoing joke about a fecal mishap and a view of Jason Mewes’ goodies and well-groomed pubic hair ) — but it’s also a sweet rom-com about two roommates falling in love. On the eve of its release, Banks talked to Premiere about her affinity for Seth Rogen, playing Laura Bush, and her descent, in her next role, into evil.
Zack and Miri is about two roommates who make a porno in an attempt to escape their debt. Is this the ultimate recession film?
It’s a blueprint for how to get out of the economic crisis.
So it’s a service film.
It really is. We’re doing a solid for the American people. More than anything, I think, though, we’re supplying an outlet for escape from the current craziness that’s happening right now. If you want to go to the movies and laugh, this is your movie.
It does seem your economic plan involves sharing a camera with Seth Rogen — I heard he suggested you for the part of Miri.
He did, yeah, thank you.
This is the second time you two have played a couple onscreen — your characters ended up together at the end of 40-Year-Old Virgin — or the third if you count “I’m Fucking Seth Rogen,” the viral video you two made in response to Sarah Silverman’s “I’m Fucking Matt Damon.”
Oh that’s right, the video! I really consider Seth my acting soul mate, we have incredible chemistry. I would love to work together again and again and again. It probably won’t happen, but a girl can dream.
Following our extremely popular contest, ‘HD Hottie Hysteria,’ we’ve started a new feature in which we will highlight a top female star every day. The gorgeous female will come from a program that can be seen in gorgeous high-def that very day.
Today’s ‘HD Hottie’ is Elizabeth Banks, who stars tonight in high-def in Invincible on Starz Edge at 11 p.m. ET.
The 34-year-old actress, who was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, won several small roles in films such as Spider-man, Shaft and TV shows such as Sex and the City and Without a Trace. But her first big break came when she was cast as Jeff Bridges’ wife in the 2003 hit movie, Seabiscuit.
Following that film, Elizabeth reprised her role in Spider-man 2 and Spider-man 3 (also with Tobey Maguire from Seabiscuit) and has starred in Fred Claus with Vince Vaughn and was a regular for one season on NBC’s Scrubs.
So, here is Elizabeth Banks, today’s HD Hottie:
From TV Predicitions
Elizabeth Banks on Playing Laura Bush
How does the actress go from playing a sex-crazed clerk in ”The 40 Year-Old Virgin” to the dignified role of the First Lady of the United States in Oliver Stone’s George W. Bush biopic? EW.com finds out
Elizabeth Banks has starred opposite many a comedic leading man, including Steve Carell (The 40-Year-Old Virgin), Vince Vaughn (Fred Claus), Eddie Murphy (this summer’s Meet Dave), and Seth Rogen (Kevin Smith’s upcoming Zack and Miri Make a Porno). But now she’ll soon get serious with her just-announced role as First Lady Laura Bush in Oliver Stone’s biopic W. And while the amusingly ironic juxtaposition of Zack and Miri Make a Porno with a film about George W. Bush is not lost on Banks, the actress is much more focused on perfecting her interpretation of Mrs. Bush. EW.com spoke to Banks about her involvement in this sure-to-be controversial film.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How do you research the sitting First Lady?
ELIZABETH BANKS: I’m reading — I have about six books. I have the A&E biography that they did, I have all of her speeches, anything that I could find. I just bought her episode of Charlie Rose. I have a lot on my iPod right now. I’m very interested in getting her voice. I feel like if I get her hair and her voice right, it will go a long way toward creating the character.
Movie Babe of the Day: Elizabeth Banks
Betty Brant has our Spider sense a tinglin’.
by Daniel Phillips
February 14, 2008 – Mini Bio: Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, actress and Babe of the Day Elizabeth Banks began her career appearing in television shows like Sex in the City, Third Watch and Law and Order, before she finally swung (pun intended) onto the big screen in the hugely-successful Spider-Man films. Banks starred as Daily Bugle receptionist Betty Brant in all three-blockbuster installments of the Spider-Man franchise, and though her role was relatively minor, her turn as Betty Brant helped catapult Banks to success on both the small and big screens.
After a supporting role in Steven Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can in 2002, Banks’ breakout role came in the hit comedy The 40-Year-Old Virgin, where she nearly stole the show as Beth, the sex-crazed bookstore employee.
After starring turns in the football underdog movie Invincible and the over-the-top horror film Slither, Banks made a splash on the small screen once again with a recurring role in Scrubs, where she played the love interest of J.D. (Zack Braff). In her latest film, Banks plays opposite Rachel Weisz and Isla Fisher in the romantic comedy Definitely, Maybe also starring Ryan Reynolds.
Best Work:
Scrubs, The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Upcoming Projects:
Banks is slated to appear in a number of films, including A Tale of Two Sisters, The H-Man Cometh, and Starship Dave.
From IGN
