Happy Sad Confused

It seemed like an impossible proposition for any filmmaker but somehow miraculously Denis Villeneuve achieved the next to impossible -- directing a sequel to "Blade Runner" that actually may rival (and in some critics' estimation surpass) the original. In this SPOILER-filled (you've been warned!) conversation about "Blade Runner 2049" with filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, Josh finds out how why Denis c...

Ben Mendelsohn admits that only a few years ago he'd all but given up on his dreams of a film career. For a couple decades he'd experienced pockets of success in his home country of Australia but while his contemporaries like Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce broke through it just seemed like it was never going to happen for Mendelsohn. As Mendelsohn tells the story in this episode of "Happy Sad Confus...

Jon Bernthal knows how lucky he is. "Art has saved my life," he says on this episode of "Happy Sad Confused". In truth, it's a lot more than luck that's gotten Bernthal to where he is today, a much in demand actor on the big and small screen.  Bernthal has definitely had an atypical journey, from getting his nose broken more times than he can count to studying his craft in Moscow. He talks about i...

Josh Hutcherson only seems to be the most well adjusted child actor turned young adult performer in Hollywood. In fact, as you'll learn in this episode of "Happy Sad Confused", Josh is hiding an abundance of secret traumas, from Tom Hanks mocking his flatulence on the set of "The Polar Express" to having his first kiss be on camera for "Little Manhattan". Thankfully Josh takes it all in stride on...

Kenneth Branagh has been nominated for an Academy Award in 5 different categories, acted and directed in critical favorites and blockbusters alike, gotten his hands and feet enshrined just this month in Hollywood, and is generally considered THE foremost interpreter of Shakespeare's work on the stage and screen today. He also somehow remains humble and grounded and hungry for new challenges, all o...

There's no rule that says film directors have to be as entertaining as their films but Taika Waititi is just that. His films, from "What We Do In The Shadows" to "Hunt for the Wilderpeople" are overflowing with charm and humor and the same can be said for the Kiwi director. All of which is to say, this is a fun episode of "Happy Sad Confused" with Waititi visiting Josh to talk about his thrilling...

It's not lost on Adrianne Palicki how tough an iconic TV show is to follow up. But lightning may be striking twice for her as the actress is enjoying the early success of her new series on Fox, "The Orville".  This week on "Happy Sad Confused", Adrianne talks about her genre friendly career, from comic books and action films like "John Wick" to what it's like to go full sci-fi on "The Orville", a...

It's been an eventful few years for Sarah Silverman and all not necessarily for the better. One need only look at the three dedications on her latest comedy special, "A Speck of Dust" to realize she's been dealing with loss. But Sarah is nothing if not resilient (well, resilient and hysterical) and she's focused her energies lately on an abundance of exciting projects. This week on "Happy Sad Conf...

Chadwick Boseman doesn't get intimidated easily. At least that seems to be the case when you look at the roles he's tackled in his young film career. From Jackie Robinson in "42" to James Brown in "Get on Up", and now no less than Thurgood Marshall in "Marshall", Boseman is not only stepping to the plate for bigtime biopics, he's excelling with each and every performance. It's no wonder Marvel sna...

For a high school AND college dropout Willem Dafoe has done alright. Actually for anyone Willem Dafoe has done more than alright. He is without a doubt one of our finest actors as evidenced by one of the most eclectic and impressive resumes that continues to grow year after year. Add his latest, "The Florida Project", to that lofty list and perhaps add another Oscar nomination (he's already got tw...

You can tell a lot about an actor by the filmmakers they've worked with. And if that's the case, there is no one more respected than Tim Roth. From Quentin Tarantino to Francis Ford Coppola, from David Lynch to Ava DuVernay, Roth is always in high demand. On this episode of "Happy Sad Confused", Roth reflects on impressive credits, his humble beginnings, when he knew Tarantino was something specia...

Dylan O'Brien is at a crossroads in his career and he knows it. On this episode of "Happy Sad Confused", the young actor talks to Josh about the end of one era and perhaps the beginning of another. Dylan talks about his beginnings, growing up the son of an actor and a cameraman, his early aspirations to direct, and how he's desperate to get rid of his early youtube videos to this day. And then the...

Nicholas Hoult returns to "Happy Sad Confused" this week to probe deeper into his food preferences, his recent experimentation with a creepy mustache, and his love of podcasts! But of course Nic has a ton of movies to talk about too, including playing JD Salinger in the new film, "Rebel in the Rye", his fourth X-Men film, currently shooting in Montreal, his upcoming JR Tolkien biopic, and re-teami...

Guillermo del Toro was already perhaps the most beloved filmmaker working today by the industry, critics, and movie geeks around the world but now with "The Shape of Water", his latest, he may have achieved another level. This week Josh chats with Guillermo the morning after his film received a huge standing ovation at the Toronto Film Festival. The "Pan's Labrynth" filmmaker discusses the themes...

Taylor Kitsch may always be Tim Riggins to some but he's come a long way from "Friday Night Lights" thanks to memorable roles in "True Detective", "The Normal Heart", and yes, the underrated "John Carter". Now he's visiting Josh to talk about going bad in "American Assassin" opposite Dylan O'Brien and Michael Keaton. But there's another role on Kitsch's mind that they have to discuss, playing cult...

Through 2 films and one historic television series, Kyle MacLachlan and David Lynch have created one of the great artistic collaborations of our time. And now, after a 25 year gap in working together, Kyle is back in a big way in his most iconic role with the new season of "Twin Peaks". In this episode of "Happy Sad Confused", Kyle talks at length with Josh about launching his career with David Ly...

You know and love Jay Baruchel from "Undeclared", "This is the End", and "How to Train Your Dragon" but forget acting, what's always wanted to do is direct! And finally he's doing just that, helming "Goon: Last of the Enforcers", a sequel to his beloved 2012 hockey flick, "Goon". Jay joins Josh this week for a massive film nerd geek out. Jay waxes poetic on the films and filmmakers he loves, why h...

David Harbour stops by "Happy Sad Confused" this week to reflect on how his career changed completely after the ago of 40 thanks to a rare leading man role in the hit series, "Stranger Things." David loves talking the craft of acting and he and Josh thoroughly geek out on everyone from Branagh and Pacino to Winona Ryder.  Plus, David discusses how he's prepping for the highest profile film role ye...

John Boyega joins Josh this week just as his critically acclaimed film, "Detroit" hits theaters. He discusses the intense experience of working on a Kathryn Bigelow film, his path from "Attack the Block" to "Star Wars" and why he's okay with missing out on roles in "Kingsman" and "The Maze Runner".  Plus, John looks ahead to starring in "Pacific Rim: Uprising," what's in store for Finn and Poe in...

It’s difficult to avoid superlatives when discussing this week’s guest on “Happy Sad Confused”. Let’s just say Christopher Nolan is certainly one of, if not the most revered and successful directors working today. In this rare conversation (this may in fact be Nolan’s first podcast), the “Inception” and “Memento” helmer talks about his early influences, from George Lucas to Ridley Scott, and what...

Yes, it is possible to make a summer blockbuster filled with drama and heart and yeah, even some super cool action. Matt Reeves has it down as evidenced by his two amazing films in the “Planet of the Apes” series. In this return visit to “Happy Sad Confused,” Reeves goes deep on his love for the franchise, where it goes next after “War for the Planet of the Apes,” and whether he thinks we’ll ever...

Lily Collins has never been one to waste time. As a teenager she flirted with a career in journalism, but decided to double down on her passion for acting and things have been paying off in a big way ever since. Since her film debut in “The Blind Side," she’s led fantasy films like “Mirror Mirror” and “The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones,” but 2017 will likely be the year she’ll look back on as...

Before “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” and yes, even before “Spaced”, there was “Baby Driver”. At least in Edgar Wright’s brain, that’s how far back this pet project goes and now a mere 22 years later after he first dreamed up a unique blend of action, car chases, and music, his crowd pleasing critical hit, “Baby Driver” is in theaters. With this, in his first visit to “Happy Sad Confused”, Wri...

Despite an arbitrary underlying tension with Josh that’s been festering for years, Will Arnett is the delightful guest on this week’s episode of “Happy Sad Confused.” In truth, Will and Josh get along famously, but what’s life without a designated nemesis, even if it’s all in good fun? Of course, every self-respecting comedy nerd became obsessed with Arnett when he appeared on ‘Arrested Developmen...

Normally it would be easy to resent a guy like Colin Trevorrow, a filmmaker who somehow made the leap from a small Sundance debut (“Safety Not Guaranteed”) to being given the keys to a beloved franchise like “Jurassic Park.” But Colin is as aware of his luck and as humble as you could imagine, so unfortunately we’re just going to have to like him and appreciate his talents. Colin joins Josh on “Ha...