‘You Won’t Have to Think Twice’

Hard to believe it’s March, but here we are! While I am 100 percent looking forward to spring and finally getting out of this winter hibernation that has made me part bear, I have been having so much fun at work thanks to an amazing team that is constantly hitting the goals we set out a year before. One of the coolest aspects of work that stems back to my initial passion for meeting people and talking about film and TV has been the virtual junkets, which I’ve managed to take part in since my first junket last September. One of the shows I had been absolutely waiting for in the literal past year was The Tourist starring Jamie Dornan and Danielle Macdonald. 

Little back story — I have been a HUGE fan of Jamie Dornan for years! The Fall is one of my favorite TV shows and honestly, I was never the same after the Sheriff died in Once Upon a Time, lol. But to see Jamie work his way up and grab some really meaty, heartfelt roles like in Belfast or my favorite Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar, I was excited about The Tourist, and I am so glad to say that the show is every bit as phenomenal and well-done as you could imagine. If you love the Coen brothers and dark comedies, this is the one for you. See more of my full review of the series here.

Getting the chance to talk to Jamie about his complex role and lots more, watch the interview in its entirety above. I also spoke to his amazingly talented co-star Danielle Macdonald, whose interview you can see here.

For the full features of this story, head to PopCulture.

‘That’s Where We Can Wait’

It’s beautiful, clear winter nights like tonight that just speak the loudest. As the year winds down and another arrives in just days, I’ve found peace in not just family, friends and work but a lot of Carl Sagan’s work, including Pale Blue Dot. We are nothing compared to what is out there, our problems today and tomorrow are of the utmost frivolity. Our issues, our differences. It can be so exhausting and this really cool video captured from NASA a few months ago that was shared on Twitter just reiterates it all. It’s nights like this that I find solace in his words — hopefully, you do too. (With a soundtrack from one of my favorite bands and lyricists, Michael C. Hall of Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum, of course.)

‘A Ghost Never Leaves a Haunted House’

I didn’t get a chance to share this as I’ve gotten a little busy with the holidays shortening work schedules and interviews just lining up but I got to watch Ghostbusters: Afterlife last month and have to say, it was 𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐙𝐈𝐍𝐆! Oh gosh, I just loved it so very much! The moment those piano keys played at the start, I don’t know what came over me but I started to tear up. This movie has been one of those films that has always been there for me in low times and happy times, and it just felt like coming home in a sense. I got to watch it with my dad and big sister whose arm I squeezed periodically.

Honestly, after waiting almost two years for this movie, I can proudly say it left me in awe, made me laugh and cry — and even just thinking about it again, I’m tearing up. It really is the Ghostbusters movie I’ve been waiting for since I was a kid and that is no disrespect to Paul Feig’s version because I love him. He is the absolute kindest, most thoughtful and cognizant filmmaker today and that cast was legit hilarious! But this one brings back the humor and spookiness the original movies were known for — were 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 for, and it had so much more heart than I could have imagined. I didn’t expect to respond that way but am glad I did. So eloquent and smartly written, Jason Reitman constructed this magical experience that really plays as a love letter to fans. I’m excited to see it again!

That said, I also have to say that the critics are wrong about this one. Giving it a freshness score of just a mere 63% is ridiculous. From the writing to the casting, and even the setting playing to the isolation Spengler felt in his last days — there was so much to love. Plus, McKenna Grace is going to be a force! I just love that kid. Have you seen her other work? She is such a talent. But the movie also wasn’t just a nostalgia-packed film for fans with Easter eggs and throwback nuggets. It served as a beautiful tribute to both Egon Spengler, everyone’s favorite spores, molds and fungus collector and of course, the incomparable Harold Ramis, who really helped make this world with Dan Aykroyd. Ramis, who passed away in 2014, also leaves us in the first few minutes of the film and it was heartbreaking. But the way they brought him back is such a delight and for McKenna to carry the torch with the young cast as the next generation, I am ready for s’more — and that concludes my (mini puft) review. What did you think of the movie? Let me know in the comments below.

‘Never Told Me There’d Be Days Like These’

It’s not every day you get to talk to someone you look up to and truly admire, but my job is really humbling in that I get to really connect with those making an artistic difference, honoring our peace of mind and providing comfort and solace for the voids we cannot fill. Last week, I once again got that very sweet opportunity when I got a chance to chat with Michael C. Hall (!!!) and his bandmates, Peter Yanowitz and Matt Katz-Bohen of Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum. While I have been a fan of Michael’s for years dating all the way back to the sheer blessing of watching Dexter, I have been listening to the band’s music this past year and am seriously OBSESSED. Like, seriously. There are so many songs that just tug at your heart and being, like, “Airhead” is a big one for me — and “Armageddon Suite” (and “Ketamine,” off their self-titled EP). Their music is so reminiscent of David Bowie, Joy Division, some early NIN and plays to such moody, thoughtful poetry. I just love it. Getting the chance to chat with this amazing, avant-garde trio about their kaleidoscopic music, what drives them and how they connect through songwriting, their overseas winter tour and so much more was really fun. I had a blast and am really excited to share this one with everyone! They are the nicest, kindest and sweetest guys. So affable and personable, I am excited for their North American tour, whenever that happens!

I also got to chat with Michael about Dexter because how could I not talk about it? Like, hello. That show was all I breathed, lol. In our interview for PopCulture.com, he teases with readers what fans can expect from the finale of Dexter: New Blood after that wild, explosive reveal in Episode 4 — and I got to say, I am stoked for this show. For more of that feature, check it out above or click the link below!

‘You Dream of Some Epiphany’

I’ve been thinking of my grandma a lot lately, wondering about the type of person she was and the kind of relationship we would have had, had she been alive today. (She passed days before my sister was born). I know it would have been so great to have her in my life and a relationship that I would love so much and put all my love into. Over the past year and a half — and since the start of this pandemic — I’ve been looking into her along with my Aunt Dolly and have discovered some amazing things that I only ever heard about from my dad and relatives. Like, in addition to my grandma being a mom of six children, a loving wife to my grandfather (and an IAF pilot), she also spoke seven languages and wanted to do social work in her community.

My grandmother also made history as the first Muslim girl at 19 to join the Women’s Auxiliary Corps for the RAF. (It’s where she would meet my grandfather.) Her father — my great grandfather, Chief Instructor of Urdu to British Officers — instilled hardworking values, ensuring she worked her way up the ranks instead of just getting a position because of him. She didn’t mind it. In fact, she loved it! I like to think I get my strong work ethic from her, constantly pushing past the norm for the dream.

While I knew some stories from my parents, I always thought they were exaggerations but I now have proof about it as I learned her great-grandfather was the King of Khorasan, a province of Iran, which means I share that relation too! But that is the least interesting thing about her (and me). In all fairness, I still stand in line for toilet paper and buy canned beans like everyone else, so it is not that big of a deal, and titles are a social construct. But it is cool because that also means more of our family records should be easily attainable, making things easy for my aunt and me to find these things!

I also learned my grandma had her story published in the 1943 edition of The Sphere, and her photograph with information is now encased as part of an exhibit for the Art Ministry Second World War Official Collection at the Imperial War Museum in London (I’m going to visit this someday). Not to mention, her photo went viral a few years ago, and so many people have devoted blogs and tweets to this one photo, praising this woman for all she’s done. A Bollywood reporter said they’d like to see a movie made about my grandma starring Deepika Padukone of “XXX: Return of Xander Cage” (err, please let’s talk).

It makes me so proud to know my grandma was such a beautiful, awe-inspiring person. But I’m also sad I never got to hear any of her stories straight from her. That said, the older I get, the closer I feel to her and I love her so very much.

‘Woke up This Morning…’

In my almost 13 years of news reporting and entertainment journalism, I’ve had some really fun experiences but this moment is definitely one for the books. I got a chance to attend my first ever movie junket for PopCulture.com and it was an absolute blast. Maybe even more so since it was surrounding one of my favorite TV shows — The Sopranos! Most humbled and grateful to be speaking to the very kind cast (Michael Gandolfini, Alessandro Nivola, Leslie Odom Jr., Michela De Rossi, Ray Liotta) and director (Alan Taylor) of the highly-anticipated prequel film, The Many Saints of Newark, it was a moment to remember and one I am so thankful for.

It’s a real blessing to be working in a field that is not only fulfilling with the chance to share and interpret social commentary and criticism through an art form like film with other cinephiles, but recognize that the privilege to work in a job like this is a real gift. These guys were so much fun (and oh my gosh, the absolute warmest and funniest) — be sure to watch the complete junket, hot off the press, above; and if you are interested in more awesome content from PopCulture.com, head to our YouTube channel for the latest.

‘Don’t Read the Last Page’

This past year has been a challenging year for so many and while I’ll get to that in another post later this week detailing the pain of 2020, I do want to share something that has me counting my blessings — the parts we can be grateful for amid the darkness. While an event from last Christmas left a hole in my heart, it is one that has brought me closer to some of my friends, recognizing who is genuine and who isn’t. I think that’s what age does though, right? You just get it all of a sudden.

But while certain friends and, of course, my family have been salvation during this global pandemic, I am blessed and grateful for work (and my amazing co-workers) being that totem for me too. This year was rough with COVID-19 and just tragic news coverage. Some stories took a toll each day. Sifting through information, first-hand accounts, videos, all of it can break you some days and ground you. With nowhere to go but an arm’s length, it was a lot of reflecting, disconnecting from the noise and dropping everything to spend time with my sister and parents, staying indoors, protecting them, helping them. All of it produced an interesting latent function though, ironically, that allowed me to grow outside myself — and like everything in life, the balance is important. It helps you gain perspective to make better decisions, gain a sense of calm, and see the big picture again.

With a career embedded in just about every aspect of life with no way to turn off, I got to jump outside my comfort zone and head into a realm of broadcast with work, finally getting the chance to apply everything I’ve learned in school to another aspect of reporting. I never imagined it would go that way, but here we are at the end of 2020 and I’ve filmed 18 (one embargoed for January) episodes for our ViacomCBS brand PopCulture’s @ Home series.

It all started at the end of June when I got my first interview with Ernie Hudson, which was a dream come true. (Imagine telling 4-year-old Tania about that!) I can’t even remember how I did it, but I can tell you, I was nervous AF. I had never done anything like it before and then I got another one, and another one, and another one… and I am so grateful. Talking to so many people that I have looked up to for years and admired, is an incredibly humbling experience. Work hard, friends. Like my favorite personality, Conan O’Brien once said, “Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.”

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