Upgrading Your Home? – Your Best Mattress in 2023
Reviewed and revealed. Time for you to find your mattress in 2023. Most of us spend a third of our lives asleep. Science says it’s how we repair, recharge and dream. With hybrid work or work from home, we sometimes rest more. Some of us work from our bed.
You’re moving? You upgraded your house? Either way, it’s time for a new mattress. And a lot of changed since the old days of mattress shopping. Even if “the old days” was just 5 years ago.
Big changes. Real science upgrades depending on sleep position, body type, health conditions, body temperature, temperature of the room and flexibility, adaptability of all of these variables.
It’s a lot of decisions that you probably don’t want to research. You just want an awesome night’s sleep.
So we did the mattress research for you
Brooklyn Bedding’s Signature
What’s the best mattress overall?
Brooklyn Bedding’s Signature is pretty amazing. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is the brand’s flagship bed.
The mattress offers three firmness options, a strong steel coil foundation layer, a comfy “give” that rests your aching bones, strong and durable hybrid construction.
Their hybrid mattress (a bed made with coils and foam) offers a neutral-foam feel that’s more light and airy than traditional memory foam. It also offers improved edge support, thanks to a thick layer of pocketed coils with reinforced coils around the edges of its support bed.
Accommodating for all body types and even suits any sleeping position.
If you time it right (they have sales), it’s surprisingly affordable.
Price is usually closer to $1200, but with the right timing (discounts), you can sleep well for under $1000.
Layla Hybrid mattress
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Layla Hybrid mattress is special! Generations ago, flippable mattresses were popular and the Layla brand is bringing back the trend. So yes, it’s flippable and both sides offer different firmness levels – so yes, you have two choices to pick from to match your personal preference. One side is soft and pressure relieving while the other is firmer and more supportive.
Also, Layla’s primary comfort layers are made with copper-gel memory foam which helps regulate temperature, while the material feels ultra light and airy. This is more responsive than the foam’s traditional slow-bouncing nature.
The Layla Hybrid is ultra plush and soft. Indulgently comfortable. A. great choice for side sleepers of all body shapes and sizes.
The Layla Hybrid comes in a range of sizes: twin to California king sizes and prices range from $1,299 to $1,899.
Saatva Classic
Best Firm Mattress
The Saatva Classic offers both plush comfort with premium support. Its thick and supportive construction provides contouring that fits each of your body’s curves. Unique from most hybrid beds, it offers two coil layers (one innerspring layer and one pocketed coil layer), memory foam, Lumbar Zone Active Spinal Wire and a quilted, zoned pillow-top add to a luxury experience. Designed to promote comfort and spinal alignment.
The innerspring mattress hybrid construction is the magic behind why this bed is so supportive and firm.
The Saatva Classic’s special lumbar technology is designed to keep your spine aligned while comforting your shoulders and hips.Also allows you to choose how firm you want your firm bed to be.
The Saatva Classic comes in sizes twin XL to split California king and prices range from $887 up to $2,296.
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Thanksgiving in Los Angeles: the perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s… [Recipe Inside]
This Thanksgiving, the perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s brioche. As in St Pierre Brioche Thanksgiving Stuffing
No Thanksgiving spread is complete without a hearty stuffing. While add-ins are a matter of preference, choosing the right bread is crucial. One underrated choice is eggy, rich brioche – and with St Pierre Bakery, you don’t need to go to France to get it.
Thanks to its butter and egg content, St Pierre’s Brioche Loaf provides the perfect balance of crisp toastiness while remaining soft and creamy inside, while its lightly sweet flavor adds a decadent quality that can still lean savory. Attached below is an approachable recipe for stuffing allowing for all the craveable crunch for the whole family with minimal effort required.
St Pierre Brioche Thanksgiving Stuffing
By @BrandiMilloy
Ingredients
1 loaf St. Pierre Brioche Bread
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 medium onion, diced
3/4 cup celery, diced
3/4 cup carrots, diced
1 cup mushrooms, diced
2 large eggs
1 tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
3 sprigs fresh thyme, just the leaves
1 tbsp. fresh sage, chopped
1 small apple (granny smith works well), peeled and diced
Salt and pepper
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350 F. Cut brioche bread into 1” cubes and bake for about 10-15 minutes until toasted.
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Meanwhile, into a pot over medium high heat add butter until melted. Add onion, celery and carrots and cook until everything starts to soften, about 7 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat and set aside.
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Into a bowl whisk together the eggs, herbs, apples, mushrooms, and salt and pepper. Add your cooked vegetables and mix to combine.
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Pour mixture on top of toasted bread and stir to combine. Bake stuffing for about 45 minutes. If your stuffing starts to get too brown, cover until finished baking. Enjoy!
As America’s favorite brioche brand, St Pierre’s products are widely available via grocery stores nationwide as well as Walmart.
Holidays in Los Angeles: Dining in Beverly Hills: Mastro’s, FYC Bar + Kitchen AND Holiday Tamales from Tito’s
The Holidays in Los Angeles have never been more festive (or delicious) with holiday Dining at Mastro’s Beverly Hills, FYC Bar + Kitchen AND Holiday Tamales from Tito’s
The Holidays in Los Angeles at Hotel Amarano in Burbank
On Christmas Day from 3-10 p.m., FYC Bar + Kitchen at the luxury boutique Hotel Amarano in Burbank will be serving a special 3-course menu for just $70 per person (not including wine or cocktails).
The menu will include Butternut Squash Soup OR Radicchio Cup Mushroom Salad with avocado, chives & balsamic vinaigrette;
Apple Wood Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon with jumbo prawns, mashed potatoes, baby carrots & Brussels sprouts OR Pistachio-Crusted Roasted Sea Bass with citrus sauce, mashed potatoes, baby carrots & Brussels sprouts – and desserts such as Chocolate Lava Cake, New York Cheesecake, Apple Tarte Tatin or Crème Brûlée – along with coffee or tea.
The Holidays in Los Angeles at Mastro’s Beverly Hills
For classic Beverly Hills luxury, Mastro’s Beverly Hills will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, serving their fresh oysters, caviar, decadent seafood towers, steaks and sides galore, along with luscious desserts and handcrafted cocktails – even a succulent Rabbi’s Daughter Kosher Bone-In Ribeye 16oz Steak for anyone celebrating Hanukkah (or who just likes great steaks).
For the month of December, Mastro’s is offering a special holiday cocktail – Under The Mistletoe.
For those who want their holiday meal from the comfort of their own home, Mastro’s Beverly Hills will have their famously decadent side dishes to go this year!
The following sides will serve up to 4 people, and cost $62 each:
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans with Sliced Almonds
Creamed Corn
Creamed Spinach
For a sweet limited time finish, Mastro’s will have a gorgeous Pecan Pie as well as a special Cinnamon + Pecan Butter Cake – a twist on their famed Butter Cake – both available now through December 30.
To order Mastro’s Sides, guests just need to call the restaurant to order from December 1-22 they can pick them up on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Mastro’s will be open Christmas Eve from 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Christmas Day from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM, New Year’s Eve from 5:00 PM to Midnight and New Year’s Day from 5:00 to 9:00 PM.
You can find their full menu here & as you likely know, the ambiance at Mastro’s every evening is like a party, with live music and white glove service.
They also have 2 private dining rooms for large parties of 40-50.
The Holidays in Los Angeles at Tito’s Tacos
Lastly – we love the tradition of Christmas Eve tamales, but they take hours to make.
The beloved, family-owned since 1959 Tito’s Tacos offers both a succulent Chicken Tamale – cilantro grilled chicken and Anaheim green chiles wrapped in homemade corn masa & steamed in a corn husk OR a Veggie Tamale, fresh veggies and pinto beans, wrapped in homemade corn masa and steamed in a corn husk.
You can buy them individually or by the dozen and the best part is that you can get them delivered straight to your door.
For more info, go to www.TitosTacos.com
Orders can be placed online for delivery or pickup on or before December 23.
About Mastro’s Steakhouse Beverly Hills
Mastro’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills is a premier dining destination combining world class service with an elegant yet energetic ambiance, making it a popular choice for celebrities, locals and visitors.
Located at 246 North Canon Drive, Mastro’s features live music nightly, with signature menu highlights such as bone-in filet mignon, USDA Prime, Japanese A5 Wagyu, and True A5 Kobe steaks; lavish seafood towers featuring fresh oysters, shrimp, crab and lobster served in a swirl of dry ice mist, decadent lobster mashed potatoes, and Mastro’s famed Butter Cake, to name a few.
Open for dinner from 5:00 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
For more info, visit www.mastrosrestaurants.com
Palm Springs: Executive Chef Michael Hung Unveils flagship restaurant, Navigator, New Elevated Dining Voyage in Heart of the Desert
Palm Springs: Executive Chef Michael Hung Unveils flagship restaurant, Navigator, New Elevated Dining Voyage in Heart of the Desert Play Ground
Executive Chef Michael Hung Unveils flagship restaurant, Navigator, New Elevated Dining Voyage in Heart of Palm Springs
The Palm Springs Surf Club announces the opening of their flagship restaurant, Navigator, on Friday, November 15th, 2024!
Photo Credit: Oscar Flink
This innovative new dining destination bridges the worlds of desert living, hospitality, and surfing.
Guests will experience dramatic views of the San Jacinto Mountains, explore the expansive 13-acre property complete with resort amenities, and marvel at the sights and sounds of surfing in the state-of-the-art wave pool.
Photo Credit: Oscar Flink
Leading the Navigator team is acclaimed Executive Chef Michael Hung. As the Executive Chef of Navigator and Director of Food & Beverage for the Palm Springs Surf Club, Chef Hung brings his culinary artistry to this highly anticipated opening.
Executive Chef Michael Hung
Chef Hung’s impressive career spans from renowned New York kitchens Daniel and Aquavit, through San Francisco’s celebrated establishments, including the James Beard Award-winning team at Jardiniere, led by the renowned Chef Traci Des Jardins and Michelin-starred La Folie with Chef Roland Passot.
His culinary path has included Faith & Flower in Los Angeles which earned accolades from Esquire, Los Angeles Magazine, and Travel + Leisure.
Hung’s talent continued to shine with Viviane at the Avalon Hotel, praised by Los Angeles Times esteemed food critic Jonathan Gold and renowned San Francisco Chronicle food critic, Michael Bauer.
Chef Hung brought his expertise to the luxury hotel and hospitality scene in Palm Springs as the Executive Chef for Steve Hermann Hotels, where he revamped menus at The Colony Club at The Colony Palms and SO.PA at L’Horizon Resort and Hermann Bungalows, earning a Michelin Guide listing for The Colony Club.
Photo Credit: Oscar Flink
Now, at the Palm Springs Surf Club, he applies his expertise to both Navigator and the larger resort’s food and beverage offerings, promising an elevated dining experience rooted in a global culinary perspective.
Photo Credit: Oscar Flink
Navigator’s Menu will highlight modern American cuisine infused with influences from renowned surf locales, including flavors inspired by Portugal, Morocco, Mexico, Indonesia, and Hawaii. Each dish is crafted with the finest local ingredients, blending global flavors with a California sensibility.
Signature offerings include Olive & Herb Dinner Rolls with Tomato Jam, Crispy Wagyu Beef Cigars, Hawaiian-style Garlic Shrimp, and large-format dishes such as a Pan Roasted Whole Rainbow Trout or the 20-oz Ribeye with Bone Marrow Gremolata. Chef Hung’s thoughtfully curated Vegan options,Sides, and inventive Desserts like the Crème Catalan Parfait and Valrhona Dark Chocolate Mousse promise an array of flavors for every palate.
Photo Credit: Oscar Flink
The Wine List, curated by Beverage Director Anthony Dougherty emphasizes California’s finest labels, while Dougherty’s Bar Menufeatures a refreshing selection of Handcrafted Cocktails and a robust Tap Beer program highlighting local producers.
Photo Credit: Oscar Flink
Service will be led by renowned restaurateur, Cameron Hirigoyen, who for 30 years owned and operated San Francisco’s classic Basque restaurant, Piperade. Cameron brings her graceful poise and deep knowledge to Navigator’s dining room.
Navigator’s design pays homage to the oceanic heritage of South Pacific navigators—surfers who traversed seas by the stars, currents, and wildlife. The restaurant’s décor reflects this maritime inspiration, with custom teakwood furniture, woven textile ceiling treatments, and a hand-carved outrigger canoe serving as a focal point for the dining room. The ambiance combines nautical aesthetics with a luxurious, natural warmth, creating an upscale, intimate setting for guests to relax and dine in style.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michael Hung to the Palm Springs Surf Club family,”
Colin O’Byrne
managing partner
“His creativity and expertise are an ideal match for Navigator and our overall vision at the Palm Springs Surf Club, which is to offer guests an elevated dining experience and amenities alongside the world’s premier surf pool.”
Navigator at the Palm Springs Surf Club officially opens for Dinner on Friday, November 15th, 2024, and will be open every Monday through Sunday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Lunch is served Monday to Friday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Navigator serves Weekend Brunchevery Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The Happy Hour menu is available from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday to Friday and from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. For more information or reservations at Navigator, please visit www.NavigatorPS.com or call Navigator directly at 760.205.3634.
Navigator
Palm Springs Surf Club
1500 S. Gene Autry Trail
Palm Springs, CA 92264
T: 760.205.3634
About Palm Springs Surf Club: The Palm Springs Surf Club is an unparalleled destination, blending state-of-the-art wave technology with luxurious resort-style amenities. Guests can enjoy various attractions, from a winding lazy river to private cabanas by the wave pool, creating a perfect oasis in the heart of Palm Springs. With three bars, two restaurants, and dynamic event spaces, the Palm Springs Surf Club offers distinctive culinary and beverage programs, designed to cater to every taste and every occasion.
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Suzanne Tracht and Jar Welcomes Raphael Lunetta for a Collaborative Dinner at Jar on July 18
Suzanne Tracht and Jar Welcomes Raphael Lunetta for a Collaborative Dinner at Jar on July 18
Two of Los Angeles’ Seasoned Chefs/Restaurateurs Join Talents for a Best-of-Summer Menu on July 18
Chef Suzanne Tracht welcomes her long-time friend and colleague Raphael Lunetta for a first-time collaborative dinner at Jar, combining their talents and love of Southern California’s seasonal markets.
Suzanne and Raphael have been talking about doing a dinner together for months.
“We’ve known each other in the culinary community for years and share the same sensibility in our cooking,”
says Tracht.
“It’s rare for chefs to see each other unless we’re at an event, and even that is fleeting. This makes for an opportunity that we know we’ll enjoy, and it’s great for both of us because we can work off each other’s energy and inspire one another.”
The four-course dinner begins with an Amuse Bouche of Sweet Summer Melon with Dungeness Crab with Jalapeno Vinaigrette & Persian mint. Then to share for the table, guests will savor Suzanne’s signature Fried Ipswich Clams with Cocktail & Roasted Garlic Tartar Sauce. Next is Wild Striped Bass & Spot Prawn with Sweet Corn Succotash, followed by the entrée of Westholme Australian Wagyu New York Strip with Weiser Farms Baked Potato, Wild Watercress, Gorgonzola, Tomato Confit & Roasted Balsamic-Glazed Ojai Roots’ Vidalia Onions.
Finish with Raphael’s Chilled Summer Cherry Soup with Vanilla Ice Cream & Chocolate Biscotti for dessert.
Guests can pair beverages with Jar’s complete list of wines, cocktails and beers, available à la carte. The dinner is priced at $172 per person, menu only, and inclusive of taxes and gratuity. The dinner must be reserved and pre-paid via OpenTable Experience ticketing.The public may call JAR at 323.655.6566 for further information.
Lunetta & Jar
July 18, 2023
$172
~Amuse~
Sweet Summer Melon with Dungeness Crab
jalapeno vinaigrette, persian mint
~Shared~
Fried Ipswich Clams
cocktail & roasted garlic tartar sauce
~Second~
Wild Striped Bass & Spot Prawn
sweet corn succotash
~Entree~
Westholme Australian Wagyu New York Strip
weiser farms baked potato,
wild watercress, gorgonzola, tomato confit
roasted balsamic glazed ojai roots vidalia onions
~Dessert~
Chilled Summer Cherry Soup
vanilla ice cream, chocolate biscotti
$172 per person
includes tax and tip
alcohol, wine, and beverages not included
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Art Beyond the Glass returns for its eleventh annual event on Sunday, June 25 at the legendary Catch One nightclub
Art Beyond the Glass (ABTG) returns for its eleventh annual event on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the legendary Catch One nightclub!
Dozens of LA’s top bartenders will make cocktails and showcase their artistic talents, with proceeds donated to Outfest.
Since its inception, ABTG has raised over $250,000 for arts-based nonprofits across the country.
Co-founded by Daniel Djang (Thirsty in LA) and Zahra Bates (Global Head of Education, Courvoisier), ABTG is the original celebration of bartender artistry and widely regarded as one of the country’s premier cocktail culture festivals. From painting and sculpture to photography, live music, DJs and more, every ABTG showcases the creative pursuits of bartenders when they’re not behind the bar.
“It’s hard to believe that what began as a casual conversation at Sunny Spot in November 2011 has grown into this extraordinary event,”
says Djang.”
“The cocktail creativity and artistic talent of the bar community in LA and beyond never ceases to amaze me. We are so grateful for the generosity of our sponsoring brands and the numerous venues that have welcomed us into their spaces. Can’t wait to see the extended ABTG family that’s coming to LA for ABTG XI!”
Art Beyond the Glass is taking place for the second time at Catch One, which is graciously being donated to ABTG XI for this exclusive event. Located on Pico Boulevard in the heart of Los Angeles and celebrating their 50th Anniversary, this landmark nightclub was opened by Jewel Thais-Williams in 1973 as Jewel’s Catch One, a pioneering LGBTQ disco. Featuring state-of-the-art sound and lighting, the massive venue spans two floors and multiple indoor and outdoor spaces.
For its eleventh LA event, Art Beyond the Glass is honored to be raising funds for Outfest. Outfest invests in youth, education, representation, and exhibition – supporting and empowering the LGBTQIA+ community to discover their voice, tell their stories, and become the next generation of artists driving change in the entertainment industry.
ABTG is once again partnering with thier fiscal partner Another Round Another Rally, a nonprofit financial resource for the hospitality industry. ARAR co-founder Travis Nass: “It is an honor to be a part of one of the most creative, innovative industry events across the country. We have always loved ABTG, and it is such a pleasure to be able to work with them again this year. Another Round Another Rally is excited to help build ABTG into an official nonprofit as their new fiscal sponsor. We could not be prouder to work with this wonderful organization.”
ABTG will feature dozens of LA’s top bartenders, including Adam Kloos, Anica Amato, Colby Sue, Crystal Mendoza, Brendon Bos, Cody Roehrig, Davey Sarantos, Edwin Rios, Katya Kiyaeva, Kristina Hemphill, Philip Ly, Raul Pool, Sol Luongo, Stacy Noi, and Yered Zotea.
“Art Beyond the Glass has become so important to the bar community,”
says ABTG Head of Production Clare Ward
“Bartenders are makers. We make drinks. We make art. We make community. This is the perfect event to celebrate everything we do.”
Guests will also be able to buy bartender art, shop handmade items by bartenders, and bid on silent auction items.
ABTG XI is being made possible by our generous Sponsors:
Accomplice, Bacardi Portfolio – La Gran Familia, Balcones Distilling, Beam Suntory, Black Lagoon, Brand, Callisto Rum, Casa Azul, Casa Lumbre, Casa Noble Tequila, Tequila Mi Campo, Compass Box Whisky, Del Maguey, Diageo, Diplomatico, Empirical, FERNET-BRANCA, Fords Gin, Gray Whale Gin, Jack Daniel’s, Mezcal 33, Mezcal Amaras, Mezcal, Campante, Mr Black Spirits, Mulholland Distilling, Redemption Whiskey, Ritual Zero Proof, Silvergrin Vodka, Slane Irish Whiskey, Spiribam, St. George Spirits, Starward Whisky, Tequila Herradura, Tequila Tromba, and Woodford Reserve.
About Art Beyond the Glass Ticket information
ABTG XI will take place from 3pm to 7pm on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at Catch One. General Admission tickets are on sale at ABTG XI Tickets – Another Round Another Rally for $55 per person until noon on June 25. If still available, tickets will be sold at the door for $65 per person. Tickets to this event are only available for guests 21+ and over.
The all-inclusive ticket includes cocktails, art, entertainment, and bar bites. In addition, guests will be able to purchase bartender artwork, buy raffle tickets and bid on silent auction items such as artwork, photography, rare spirits and more. All proceeds from ABTG XI will be donated to Outfest and ARAR.
Art Beyond the Glass was founded in 2011 by Daniel Djang and Zahra Bates
Art Beyond the Glass was founded in 2011 by Daniel Djang and Zahra Bates as a special event for bartenders to showcase their artistic talents when they’re not behind the bar. From cocktails to paintings, photography, live music, DJs, spoken word and more, ABTG is a celebration of bartender artistry inside and beyond the glass. Proceeds from every ABTG event are donated to a local arts-based nonprofit – to date, ABTG has donated more than $250,000 to these vital community organizations.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Art Beyond the Glass
Dropbox link to Outfest Photos:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/j8sqlk6x63mti1tcz2i8q/h?dl=0&rlkey=x2f12idjkphivm9iwy2u0wr1r
FOLLOW ART BEYOND THE GLASS ON:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtBeyondTheGlass
Twitter: @ABTGLA
Instagram: @abtgla
Catch One
4067 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90019
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Alec Baldwin leads an Oscar Worthy Cast with Terrence Howard, Esai Morales, Nicky Whelan in Thriller Crescent City from Filmmaker RJ Collins Premieres August 15
Alec Baldwin leads an Oscar Worthy Cast with Terrence Howard, Esai Morales, Nicky Whelan in Thriller Crescent City from Filmmaker RJ Collins Premieres August 15
What’s the story? When a small southern town is terrorized by a serial killer everyone becomes a suspect… including the police. Experience a hypnotic thriller about what it takes to catch a killer.
As the body count rises and the dark mystery deepens, the chief detective becomes haunted by the horrors of his past. Academy Award Nominees Terrence Howard and Alec Baldwin star in a mesmerizing crime thriller about what it costs to catch a killer.
Today’s conversation with Filmmaker RJ Collins from “Crescent City” has been edited for length and clarity. For the full, un-edited conversation, visit our YouTube channel here.
Crescent City Filmmaker RJ Collins
Joe Winger:
It’s one of my favorite kinds of movies. Twists, turns, shocks, thrills. Phenomenal cast. What was your process like building this incredible cast, including two Oscar nominees?
RJ Collins:
Even two producers on the movie are Oscar nominated, which is phenomenal.
This small independent film [getting] Oscar buzz. It was a combination of the producers and myself knowing the cast that really helped escalate this to move fast during a SAG strike.
We got the waiver because we’re an independent company. We got the cast all in a specific window, and we crammed it in [between] everybody’s schedule.
We shot it in Little Rock, Arkansas in September of last year. The town just fit the look and style.
It was just a perfect storm.
Alec Baldwin leads an Oscar Worthy Cast in Thriller Crescent City
Joe Winger:
You crammed so much production value into this movie.
RJ Collins:
We were blessed because of the SAG strike, because a lot of the really high level crew and actors were all available more than normal. So it was a collaboration. Cast was coming together. We were raising the money all at the same time.
When we finally got the waiver, we only had two and a half weeks left to prep the film before we were shooting.
I flew in the day we got the waiver and I met Chris Crane, the film commissioner of Arkansas, and he was such a great guy and what a great film community.
It was a true 16 day shoot schedule with some second unit days. I’m very happy with how it turned out and the actors’ performances. Everybody came on the set together and everybody collaborated.
Everybody liked each other. There was no egos, none of that stuff.
It really showed on screen.
Alec Baldwin, for what his body of work, just to work with him and watch him do his thing; same with Terrence, Esai, Nicky. Michael Sirow playing the Pastor Lawson.
Joe Winger:
You mention your amazing cast. The tension, the moments, the explosions. Is there a scene in particular you really want us to pay attention to?
RJ Collins:
There’s so many moments that I would sit back and just go, wow, I’m having the scene happen right now in front of me.
One of the lead characters, Detective Sutter, Terrence Howard’s character. He’s sitting in the chapel and he’s questioning faith.
Another great scene is when all of the detectives (Terrence Howard, Esai Morales, Nicky Whelan) and Captain Howell (Alec Baldwin) are all together and there is an emotional moment where they find a [spoiler]. All this tension breaks loose and all the characters are going at each other and it’s just so much emotion. It was just so great to shoot it and watch it Nicky at the end of that scene, just her look, I had to stay on it for a second with the coverage.
It was like, yes!
The actors’ performances. The writing. We just don’t know who the killer is. We keep throwing left, right hooks. Nobody knows. Even to the end.
Joe Winger:
Because you brought up the script.
Can we do a shout out to the writer and your DP [Director of Photography] and talk a little bit about that process?
RJ Collins:
Rich Ronat is a phenomenal writer. He’s also a buddy of mine. We’ve partnered up many times together over the years. He’s so phenomenal with the story ideas and all the research he was doing on serial killers.
He wrote the script not knowing who he was going to choose to be the killer in the end himself, which is why it was portrayed so well.
Collaboration with the DP, Alex Salahi, was phenomenal.
I directed the performances and storytelling, but man, he’s the guy that makes the visuals what it is.
We had an all star team on this, but the DP had such a beautiful eye. We were talking about looks and tones and colors. He just took it and gave me even more than what I could have expected.
Very helpful. Been researching and this is great