Five Favorite Films with Kristin Chenoweth
The Family Weekend star also talks film vs. Broadway and why she's drawn to dark comedies.
Kristin Chenoweth first made a dent in the public consciousness as Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked, a Broadway smash about the early years of the The Wizard of Oz witches. Since then, she's maintained a healthy career in television, earning praise for her performances in The West Wing, Pushing Daisies, and Glee. She's even become a staple at awards shows, either as a host or, in the case of the 2013 Oscars, as a red carpet interviewer and performer.
In Family Weekend, opening Friday in limited release, Chenoweth plays the snarky mother of a high-achieving teenager who takes her parents hostage to protest their indifference to her life. In an interview with RT, Chenoweth shared her favorite movies, and discussed the differences between working on the stage and screen and why she's drawn to dark comedies.
Steel Magnolias
(Herbert Ross, 1989; 65% Tomatometer)
Okay, Steel Magnolias. I have six aunts, and they're all like my mom, and they're all insane, but in a good way. That movie makes me think of them. And I'm also Southern, so it's like, "Mmm, I get it."
The Shawshank Redemption
(Frank Darabont, 1994; 90% Tomatometer)
I love Shawshank Redemption. Whenever it's on, I have to watch it. I think it's so well written and so well done. I love the story.
Schindler's List (Steven Spielberg, 1993; 97% Tomatometer)
I'm kind of a weirdo; I love prison movies and war movies, which leads me into Schindler's List. I think it really captured a moment in time that we aren't proud of as a human race, and I just think [Steven] Spielberg knocked it out of the park.
Inglourious Basterds
(Quentin Tarantino, 2009; 88% Tomatometer)
I like Inglourious Basterds; it's another one of my top movies. I love [Quentin] Tarantino, and I don't want to say I like violence, but I'm kind of like a dude in a lot of ways.
The Sound of Music (Robert Wise, 1965; 84% Tomatometer)
What was the other one I always watch when it's on? Oh, this is dorky... This says everything about who I am: The Sound of Music. It's just my favorite movie musical, and, I mean, it's the reason I wanted to become a singer and an actress, was because of Julie Andrews and the Von Trapps. That kind of pretty much explains who I am, which is one big fat dichotomy.
RT: It's kind of cheesy in a lot of ways, but you can't help loving it. I always get excited during the part where the nuns have sabotaged the Nazis' car.
KC: They have, like, the carburetor and... [laughs] The nuns are actually some of my favorite parts. I love it. I can't help it. I just can't help it.
Next, Chenowith talks about her new film, the differences of working in film and on stage, and why she's drawn to dark comedies.
David Tanny
Basterds! Nice! Shawshank is another good one. Sound of music...eh. I still have yet to see Schindler's List and I don't really care to see Steel Magnolias.
Mar 27 - 04:31 PM
Val Mordas
If you have not seen Schindler's List, stop what you are doing right this moment and go get it. It truly is a masterpiece.
Mar 28 - 07:25 AM
David Tanny
Yeah, the blu-ray just came out, so I'll be checking it out soon.
Mar 28 - 08:15 AM
'schak Attack
One of the greatest movies of all time... but damn hard to watch. Seen it once, and so far cannot pull myself to see it again...
Mar 28 - 08:44 AM