Milling About

This spirited conversation from 2006 with host Robin Milling and Meatloaf, whose real name was Marvin Lee Aday,  is in memory of the beloved rock singer and multi-faceted performer who died on January 20, 2022 at the age of 74. The chat was for the release of Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose which featured a duet with Marion Raven in It's All Coming Back To Me Now.  Meatloaf tells Robin about the origins of Bat Out Of Hell, his infatuation with Karla DeVito, the praise of his collaboration with Jim Steinman, how his acting played into his interpretation of the songs, and how much he hates birthdays.  

The Cleaning Lady star Adan Canto joins host Robin Milling to talk about his stunning starring role in the exciting new series on Fox TV. Adan tells Robin what inspired him to take on this gangster character, who also has a soft spot for the cleaning lady played by Elodie Yong, who will do anything to save her son. A new father himself Adan related to that fierce protectiveness. He also discusses his own Mexican roots and the underlying theme of immigration. His future projects include collaborating with his wife, creating and directing projects that further reflect stories that move him that he wants to share with an audience. One of which shares his passion with the Old West.  

Shattered director Luis Pietro joins host Robin Milling to talk about the exciting thriller starring John Malkovich, Cameron Monaghan, Frank Grillo, and Lilly Krug. Luis tells Robin what it was like to work with this terrific ensemble cast, the challenges of shooting in the frigid mountains of Montana, and much more.   IN SELECT THEATERS AND ON DEMAND:  January 14, 2022 ON DVD AND BLU-RAY: February 22, 2022

Writer/director Eleanor Coppola joins host Robin Milling to discuss her latest film, Love Is Love Is Love, a trifecta of vignettes about love in its many different forms. Eleanor tells Robin about her personal experiences that inspired each tale including a Skype date which was filmed on location at the Coppola winery, a sailing excursion, and lunch with friends to honor a loved one where Rita Wilson, as one of the guests, performs an original song “Because Love.” Eleanor says she enjoys making films that appeal to an audience of a certain age.

Aunjanue Ellis joins host Robin Milling to talk about her role in The Subject. It's a pivotal film about a documentary filmmaker (Jason Biggs) whose subject is a black teenager mixed up in gang life, and the tragic consequences the film's aftermath have befallen his mother (Ellis). Ellis discusses the subject matter's relevance to her personal interests, working opposite Biggs and literally leaving her mark in a slapping scene. A self-described late bloomer, Ellis talks about how she began her award-deserving acting journey, and her career strategy to get there.

Swen Temmel stars opposite Bruce Willis and Chad Michael Murray in the explosive crime-thriller Survive The Game. Willis and Temmel play partners in the police force. When Willis is injured in a drug bust gone wrong, Temmel pursues the two criminals to a remote farm owned by a troubled vet (Murray). Temmel talks about his history working with Bruce, shooting fight scenes, and revealing his ultimate action hero has claws!

Writer/director/star John Pollono joins host Robin Milling to talk about his film Small Engine Repair about three working-class childhood friends reuniting for a fun-filled boozy night that takes a serious turn. John talks about what went into turning his successful play into a film, and the poignant #MeToo message underneath the excellent acting by John, his real life buddy Jon Bernthal, and Shea Whigham. 

Introducing "Dipping Into The Archives," a listen-back to conversations with celebrities. some have never been broadcast before and some are being revisited, Hosted by Robin Milling, we dip into the archives 10 years back with Norman Reedus. The Walking Dead star was just beginning what would become his meteoric rise to stardom as Daryl when we had a rooftop chat at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival for the film Meskada.

Writer/director Paul Morrison joins host Robin Milling for 23 Walks. Morrison explores an older couple as they develop a romance while taking their dogs on their daily walks. Morrison tells Robin what inspired this lovely tale, and what it was like working with his canine stars - known in the film as Henry the terrier and Tilly the German Shepherd - who also forge a friendship as well as with their humans played by Alison Steadman and Dave Johns. We also talk about his memories of the Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film nomination for Solomon and Gaenor, and working with Robert Pattinson as Salvador Dali in Little Ashes. In the works, Morrison says he hopes to make The Leningrad Gig based on a student trip he took to the USSR circa 1964 where he and his mates performed several songs on guitar. Stay tuned for that...

William Moseley joins host Robin Milling to talk about his new film "Saving Paradise," and the premiere of "Land of Dreams" at the 75th Venice Film Festival. William shares such great stories about his career, and the serendipity he looks for when taking on roles. We also talked about being a hippie at heart, debunking IMDB myths, what his hopes and plans are for the future & much more!

In memory of Ed Asner who passed away on August 29, 2021 at 91 years of age, here is my unedited and candid conversation with The Mary Tyler Moore Show star, who will be forever remembered as the lovable curmudgeonly newsman Lou Grant. We spoke over the phone in 2016 from Los Angeles when he was starring in the one-man show "A Man And His Prostate," based on the true life experiences of writer/creator Ed Weinberger.    

This is from Milling About with BJ Thomas, recorded in 2010 from the famed restaurant Lindy's in New York City, in memory... The pop icon recalls having laryngitis while recording the soundtrack for 1969’s Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid soundtrack, which would yield the Oscar-winning, Hal David and Burt Bacharach-penned megahit Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head. “I had been to the doctor a couple of days before we did the session and I could barely talk, B.J. tells Milling About host Robin Milling. “The doctor didn't want me to even speak for two weeks, let alone sing. He gave me a B12 shot and I got through the song after five times. Burt was quite upset that I wasn't in good shape but the 20th Century Fox guy said, 'Boy this is great. It sounds like maybe Paul Newman was singing! That's a great idea!'”  

Hallie Todd joins host Robin Milling to discuss The Last Champion. It's a family affair with Hallie acting, producing, and co-writing with her director/husband Glenn Withrow and their daughter Ivy. Hallie tells Robin the backdrop of high school wrestling comes from Glenn's own personal throw downs on the mat that were actually choreographed by professional wrestlers and given the seal of approval by his idol, former Olympian Dan Gable. Hallie discusses taking on the role of the aspiring high school wrestler's alcoholic mother– a wonderful performance – and a complete 180 from Lizzie McGuire's mom! Starring Cole Hauser as the coach, wrestling with his own demons of failed glory, Hallie talks about their decision to cast him in the pivotal role, and how all the other members of the cast bonded in rural Washington.

Director Thomas Bezucha joins host Robin Milling to talk about his latest film, 'Let Him Go.' The tense and emotional film follows stars Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as married couple George and Margaret Blackledge, as they try to rescue their young grandson from the clutches of the dangerous Weboy family headed by matriarch Blanche Weboy. (Lesley Manville). Thomas tells Robin what it was like to direct the famous movie couple who did practically all their own stunts, and horseback riding. A self-proclaimed 'mother to his babies,' he admitted his nerves were frayed about his actors during some of the fight scenes, especially involving real fire. However they did have great food on the set to offset any anxiety! Thomas says Kevin and Diane particularly loved the movie pot roast, and the pork chops were a big hit as well with co-stars Connor Mackay and Adam Stafford.

Filmmaker Al Bailey in his debut documentary 'DTF'; follows his friend “Christian,” a widowed airline pilot around the world over the course of 18 months, who uses his career in his quest to find new love, through the dating app Tinder. Al tells Robin that from the start the quest spirals into witnessing first-hand the pilot's sexual predatory behavior and drug and alcohol depravity -- takeing on a whole new unexpected horrific twist in telling his story. This podcast contains sexual and explicit language that may not be appropriate for everyone.

Director Rod Lurie joins host Robin Milling to discuss The Outpost, a gritty depiction of a unit of U.S. soldiers battling Taliban forces at the remote Combat Outpost Keating in 2009 in the Battle of Kamdesh. Rod tells Robin how he put his actors – five of whom are related to famous folk - through their military paces at boot camp to help them bond as soldiers in the film. Their surnames include Eastwood, Jagger, Attenborough, Alda, and Gibson. Shot on location in Sofia, Bulgaria, Rod says the film almost didn't get made as his son Hunter Lurie sadly died during production. The end result, complete with accurate no-holds-barred realistic battle scenes, with the help of military consultants on the set, is a soaring homage to Hunter and the fallen soldiers.

Michael Pitt joins host Robin Milling to talk about his role in Run With The Hunted. Michael tells Robin how he developed his character, giving input to the way he looks, and how he behaves as a Faginesque character (Oscar) who, lost himself, runs a group of lost boys into a life of crime. Michael is also a musician, a great storyteller, and quite funny; although you wouldn't get that from the roles he plays.  Some of those stories involve Kurt Cobain, Joaquin Phoenix, and his co-star Dree Hemingway. An accomplished actor, best known for his role as Jimmy Darmody in Boardwalk Empire, the New Jersey native talks about what it's like to be misunderstood by the media and puts an end to the myths that surround his personal character.   

It's been over 40 years since Rocky, the underdog classic film, written and directed by Sylvester Stallone won over our cinematic hearts. Writer/director Derek Wayne Johnson chats with host Robin Milling about the documentary 40 Years of Rocky: The Birth Of A Classic, a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of Rocky, narrated by Stallone himself. Johnson reveals stories from the documentary that have never been seen or heard about in the making of this award-winning franchise. If you'd like to see this interview, please visit Milling About on YouTube and subscribe  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL4xF9XG4r6aBok-uQoZt1w  

During this time of isolation treat yourself to this laugh out loud comedy, Love. Wedding. Repeat on Netflix. Director Dean Craig joins host Robin Milling to talk about this outrageous British farce starring Sam Claflin, Olivia Munn, and a host of superb comedians.  

Director Jon Avnet rings in the new year with host Robin Milling to chat about his new film Three Christs. Currently playing in theaters it stars the triumverate threat of Peter Dinklage, Walton Goggins and Bradley Whitford as paranoid schizophrenics who each believe they're Jesus Christ. Led by the calming and spiritual guidance of Richard Gere who portrays the doctor that saves them from certain dangerous medical solutions, and instead treats them with reason. Avnet shares stories about his long-standing friendship with Gere which dates back to working together on Red Corner in 1997, and how they collaborated on bringing this story to the screen. Avnet - who also co-wrote the screenplay - tells Robin he did his homework, working with reknowned pyschoanalyst Dr. Aaron Stern to get all the details right. He also relates some of the happy accidents that occurred while filming this important cautionary tale about medical abuse.