If you don’t recognize the name Ben Whishaw right now, don’t worry … you soon will! The British actor who has appeared in such critically acclaimed films as Layer Cake, I’m Not There, Bright Star, and Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, has not one but two major movies opening in the next few weeks. 

First, the actor can be seen as part of the incredible ensemble cast of Cloud Atlas, which was co-directed by Andy and Lana Wachowski (The Matrix trilogy) and Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run), and opens in theaters on October 26th. Then on November 9th, Whishaw will take over the pivotal role of Q in the latest installment of the James Bond series entitled Skyfall, which stars his Layer Cake co-star Daniel Craig in his third appearance as 007. Not to mention, the actor is also in talks to appear in director Steven Spielberg’s long rumored futuristic film, Robopocalypse. 

Cloud Atlas is based on author David Mitchell’s extremely popular book of the same name and in addition to Whishaw, features several actors in numerous roles including Oscar winners Tom Hanks (Larry Crowne), Halle Berry (X-Men), Jim Broadbent (Arthur Christmas), and Susan Sarandon (Jeff, Who Lives at Home), as well as Jim Sturgess (21), Hugo Weaving (Captain America: The First Avenger), James D’Arcy (Hitchcock), Doona Bae (The Host), Keith David (They Live), and Hugh Grant (About a Boy). The film spans centuries and has been described as an exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution.

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with Ben Whishaw about Cloud Atlas, as well as his role in Skyfall and the upcoming Robopocalypse. The talented young actor discussed making Cloud Atlas, reuniting with his Perfume director Tom Tywker, the on set dynamic between Tywker and the Washowskis, playing multiple roles, the meaning of the film, his favorite scene that he wasn’t in, working with Jim Broadbent, Skyfall, playing a 21st Century version of Q, the beloved character’s role in the film, if he will appear in more Bond movies, Robopocalypse, and his excitement to work with Steven Spielberg.

Opening in theaters on October 26th is Silent Hill: Revelation 3D from director Michael J. Bassett (Solomon Kane), which is a sequel to Silent Hill and based on the popular video game of the same name. The new film stars Adelaide Clemens (X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Kit Harington (HBO's Game of Thrones), Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix), Sean Bean (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring), Radha Mitchell (Man on Fire), Martin Donovan (Insomnia), Deborah Kara Unger (The Hurricane), and Malcom McDowell (A Clockwork Orange).

IAR's New York Correspondent Dana Gardner recently had a chance to sit down and talk with Adelaide Clemens and Kit Harington about their work on Silent Hill: Revelation 3D. The two actors discussed their new film, how it connects to the original, researching the video game, their own favorite video games growing up, what it was like for Harington to reunite with his former Game of Thrones co-star Sean Bean, director Michael J. Bassett's knowledge of the source material, and the process of making a 3D movie. 

Actor Matthew Lillard has been successfully working in Hollywood for the better part of the last twenty years appearing in such popular and critically acclaimed films as Scream, SLC Punk!, She’s All That, Scooby-Doo, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, and most recently The Descendants and Trouble with the Curve. Lillard has also had the opportunity to work with several legendary directors throughout his career including John Waters, Wes Craven, Robert Towne, and Alexander Payne. But now, the actor has stepped behind the camera for his directorial debut entitled Fat Kid Rules the World, which will be available on VOD beginning October 25th.

The film, which is based on author KL Going’s novel of the same name, stars Jacob Wysocki (Terri) as Troy, an overweight, suicidal seventeen-year-old. Just as he’s about to jump in front of a bus, he is saved by Marcus (Matt O’Leary), a charming high school dropout/musician. The two begin an uneasy friendship when Marcus enlists the musically challenged Troy to be the new drummer in his punk rock band. But as Troy and Marcus’ relationship grows, Troy’s father, played by Billy Campbell (TV’s The Killing), becomes increasingly concerned about his son’s new relationship.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with actor-turned-director Matthew Lillard about his work on Fat Kid Rules the World. The first time director candidly discussed his new film, what made him want to get behind the camera, why he loves the process of directing more than acting, what he was able to learn from the directors he has worked with in the past, casting actors Jacob Wysocki and Billy Campbell, what attracted him to the book, how being an actor helped him direct the other actors on set, why he didn’t want to act in the movie himself, and what it was like going toe-to-toe with screen legend Clint Eastwood in Trouble with the Curve. 

Here is what the actor-turned-director had to say:

Currently available on VOD and opening in Los Angeles and New York theaters on October 26th is the British crime thriller Pusher helmed by Spanish director Luis Prieto, which is based on the 1996 film of the same name by director Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive). The new movie stars Richard Coyle (5 Days of War), Bronson Webb (The Dark Knight), Agyness Deyn (Clash of the Titans), and Zlatko Buric (Pusher 3). 

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had a chance to sit down with English actress Agyness Deyn to talk about her work in Pusher. The model-turned-actress discussed her new film, not wanting to watch the original before shooting the remake, her character's relationship to Richard Coyle's Frank, Prieto's vision for the film, producer Nicolas Winding Refn's influence on the project, working with Zlatko Buric who reprised his role from the original, and the possibility of remaking the other two sequels. 

Opening in theaters on October 19th is the new crime thriller Alex Cross from director Rob Cohen (xXx), which is based on the extremely popular series of novels by James Patterson. This is the third time that Patterson's protagonist has been featured in a film and was previously portrayed by Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman in both Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider. Alex Cross stars Tyler Perry (Madea's Big Happy Family) in the title role along with an all-star cast that includes Matthew Fox (Speed Racer), Edward Burns (Man on a Ledge), Rachel Nichols (Conan the Barbarian), Jean Reno (Ronin), John C. McGinley (Office Space), Giancarlo Esposito (The Usual Suspects), and Cicely Tyson (The Help). 

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had an opportunity to sit down and talk with author James Patterson about Alex Cross. The popular author discussed the new film, casting Tyler Perry, why he thinks this is the best Alex Cross film yet, consulting on set, director Rob Cohen, Matthew Fox's disturbing villain, and which of his books he'd like to see adapted into a possible sequel. 

Opening in NY and LA theaters, as well as on VOD on October 19th is the new comedy from actress-turned-director Carrie Preston (HBO's True Blood) and actress-turned-writer Kellie Overbey (Outbreak) called That's What She Said. The film is based on Overbey's stage play Girl Talk, which was directed by Preston and starred actress Marcia DeBonis (The Dictator), who reprises her role from the play. In addition to DeBonis, the movie also stars acclaimed actress Anne Heche (Rampart) and Alia Shawkat (The Oranges). 

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Anne Heche to talk about her work on That's What She Said, as well as her overall career. The veteran actress discussed her new film, her unique character, how women really talk to each other, having the script recommended to her by Alec Baldwin, director Carrie Preston's vision for the project, working with actress Alia Shawkat, the advice that she has gotten over the years from Johnny Depp, Madonna, and Harrison Ford, as well as singing with Dustin Hoffman and Willie Nelson; and watching Robert De Niro act with Woody Harrelson on the set of Wag the Dog. 

Opening in theaters on October 19th is the new crime thriller Alex Cross from director Rob Cohen (xXx), which is based on the extremely popular series of novels by James Patterson. This is the third time that Patterson's protagonist has been featured in a film and was previously portrayed by Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman in both Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider. Alex Cross stars Tyler Perry (Madea's Big Happy Family) in the title role along with an all-star cast that includes Matthew Fox (Speed Racer), Edward Burns (Man on a Ledge), Rachel Nichols (Conan the Barbarian), Jean Reno (Ronin), John C. McGinley (Office Space), Giancarlo Esposito (The Usual Suspects), and Cicely Tyson (The Help). 

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had an opportunity to sit down and talk with Matthew Fox about his work on Alex Cross. The popular actor discussed his new film, the look of his character, how he prepared for the role, and why he wanted to play a serial killer. 

Opening in theaters on October 19th is the new drama Nobody Walks from writer/director Ry Russo-Young (You Wont Miss Me) and co-writer Lena Dunham (Tiny Furniture). The film features an excellent cast that includes Olivia Thirlby (Dredd), John Kraninski (Big Miracle), Rosemarie DeWitt (Your Sister's Sister), Justin Kirk (TV's Weeds), and Dylan McDermott (The Campaign).

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had a chance to sit down with Olivia Thirlby to talk about her work in Nobody Walks. The talented young actress discussed her new film, its morally ambiguous tone, her character's true motivations, and her longtime friendship with writer Lena Dunham that dates back to kindergarden. 

Opening in theaters on October 19th is the new crime thriller Alex Cross from director Rob Cohen (xXx), which is based on the extremely popular series of novels by James Patterson. This is the third time that Patterson's protagonist has been featured in a film and was previously portrayed by Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman in both Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider. Alex Cross stars Tyler Perry (Madea's Big Happy Family) in the title role along with an all-star cast that includes Matthew Fox (Speed Racer), Edward Burns (Man on a Ledge), Rachel Nichols (Conan the Barbarian), Jean Reno (Ronin), John C. McGinley (Office Space), Giancarlo Esposito (The Usual Suspects), and Cicely Tyson (The Help). 

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had an opportunity to sit down and talk with both Edward Burns and Rachel Nichols about their work on Alex Cross. The two actors discussed their new film, their familiarity with the source material prior to shooting, having author James Patterson on set, Nichols' thoughts on working with Tyler Perry as an actor, what Burns learned from Perry as a fellow filmmaker, how Perry inspired Burns to write a sequel to The Brothers McMullen, Burns' upcoming film The Fitzgerald's Family Christmas, and the tricky working relationship between Nichols and Burns' on-screen characters. 

Opening in theaters on October 19th is the new drama Nobody Walks from writer/director Ry Russo-Young (You Wont Miss Me) and co-writer Lena Dunham (Tiny Furniture). The film features an excellent cast that includes Olivia Thirlby (Dredd), John Kraninski (Big Miracle), Rosemarie DeWitt (Your Sister's Sister), Justin Kirk (TV's Weeds), and Dylan McDermott (The Campaign).

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had a chance to sit down with Justin Kirk to talk about his work in Nobody Walks, as well as his current NBC series Animal Practice. The talented actor discussed his new film, his character, the script, therapy, working with Rosemarie DeWitt, the status of his new NBC sitcom Animal Practice, and acting with a monkey.