Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 12, 2014)
Arts & Entertainment Regina and Kevin: ‘About Last Night’ R egina Hall began her acting career in the late 1990’s while simultaneously earning a master’s degree from New York University. With numerous film and television credits to her name, Regina has since emerged as one of Hollywood’s most sought after comedic actresses. Last fall, she was seen reprising her role in the sequel The Best Man Holiday, along- side Terrence Howard, Taye Diggs, and Sanaa Lathan, which opened #1 at the box office. In June, she will again star opposite Terrence J, Gabrielle Union, Taraji P. Hen- son and Michael Ealy in the sequel Think Like a Man Too. The versatile thespian additional credits include Scary Movie (and three of its sequels), Paid in Full, Malibu’s Most Want- ed, First Sunday, Law Abiding Citizen, Death at a Funeral, Love & Basketball and Disappearing Acts. Her television credits include the role of Deputy D.A. Evelyn Prince on “Law & Order: LA” and Coretta Lipp on “Ally McBeal.” Something Kevin Hart is an expert at is selling shoes. And if there’s one thing Kevin can do even better than selling shoes, it’s comedy. He began his first career sizing C ELEBRITY I NTERVIEW by Kam Williams er film credits are Little Fockers, Death at a Funeral, Fool’s Gold and The 40 Year-Old Virgin. Here, Kevin and Regina discuss their new film, About Last Night, a remake of the classic romantic comedy released back in 1986. Kam Williams: Hi, Kevin and Regina, thanks for the interview. I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak with you. Regina Hall: Hi, there, Kam. We appreci- ate it, too. Kevin Hart: How you doing, man? Kam: Great! Kevin, how does it feel to be back in Philly? Kevin: Oh, it’s always good, Kam. It’s my hometown. Home is always good. ... we show how men talk to men and how women talk to women about their problems, and how it all comes full circle. Kam: What interested you two in About Last Night? Kevin: What interested you, baby? Regina: Well, I loved the script. I’m always thrilled whenever I see a good script. And of course, when I — Kevin then heard that Kevin was going to be my co-star… that sealed the deal. Need I say anything more? How men and women for footwear, when a about you, Kev? chance, electrifying performance on ama- Kevin: Like you, the script, first of all. I teur night at a Philadelphia comedy club also liked that this was a different type of changed his life forever. He soon quit that role for me, and that the original movie was job as a shoe salesman and began perform- so amazing! ing full-time at such venues as The Boston Regina: A classic! Comedy Club, Caroline’s on Broadway, Stand Up NY, the Laugh Factory and The Kam: What factors played a role in doing Comedy Store in Los Angeles. a remake? However, it was a memorable appearance Kevin: The fact that we’d be following in at the Montreal Just for Laughs Comedy its footsteps was huge. But we also wanted Festival that led to roles in Paper Soldiers, to follow more closely the lines of the orig- Scary Movie 3 and Along Came Polly, inal play it was based on, “Sexual which starred Ben Stiller and Jennifer Anis- Perversity in Chicago.” We modernized it ton. Kevin has worked nonstop ever since, and made this version a little edgier to fit and 2013 was no exception, including audiences of this generation. So, all the Grudge Match, opposite Sylvester Stallone pieces of the puzzle were there, it was just a and Robert De Niro, and Let Me Explain, a question of putting them together. stand-up comedy film chronicling the best Regina: Yeah, it was already there on the of his world concert tour of the same name. page. We just adapted it in a way to make it This year, he’s already had a #1 hit movie fresh, contemporary, sexy and fun. We also in Ride Along, which has grossed over $100 kinda followed the journey of two couples million and counting. And among his earli- as opposed to one, so you get to see us Regina Hall and Kevin Hart explore the dynamics in the friendships between the men and the women, as well as in the couples’ relationships. It ended up feeling great! Kam: Was it hard juggling egos on the set? Kevin: Not at all. It was basically just four good people. Regina: Four friends, really. Kevin: There weren’t any jerks. Every- body came with the same agenda which was to make a great film. And when you all have your eyes on the prize, in this case to turn in a quality product and to turn in a complete product, at the end of the day, you can’t ask for a better support group than what we had. Kam: Who’s in your target audience? Regina: Everybody! Kevin: This is a universal film, with the exception of certain younger age groups, since this is an adult film. Regina: Yeah, it’s R-rated. But it’s for singles… couples… Kevin: It’s a movie that so many people are going to be able to relate to. Kam: Kevin, you’re already on a roll See REGINA & KEVIN on page 11 February 12, 2014 The Portland and Seattle Skanner Page 7
