It’s likely you’ve seen Clifton Collins Jr. but haven’t known it. He took on Captain Kirk and company as Ayel, Nero’s right hand man in Star Trek as well as making Chev Chelios’ life more of a living hell as El Huron in Crank: High Voltage. Entertainment has spanned his family for generations, notably with his grandfather Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez who did a number of roles in the 1950s and 60s, the best known being his take as an innkeeper in Rio Bravo. Likely Pedro would be proud of his grandson, who’s coming into his own with projects like Boondock Saints II, a new Mike Judge film, and even taking a turn behind the camera.

I was fortunate enough to catch up with Mr. Collins Jr. and discuss his recent turns in blockbusters, his grandfather, and his hand in directing. The interview was conducted around the time of his birthday so that’s why there’s well wishes at the start.

First of all, this isn’t a question but happy birthday to you!

Thank you for the birthday wishes! I was planning on skipping it this year,
but then I got invited to go to the CMT awards with my Zac Brown family to
partake it the celebration of The Zac Brown Band double CMT nomination! A
bit surreal I must confess!

You’ve directed two music videos for the Zac Brown Band (“Chicken Fried” and
“Whatever It Is”.) Do you plan to jump into features sometime in the future
or strictly keeping it to acting for now?

I am already in a deep collaboration with producers on a film that I am very
passionate about. I believe that a love of story telling can be explored in
many different avenues. That’s one of the reasons why I like country music
so much, the stories. However, to answer your question, yes, I am moving on
to directing movies.

How did you land the gig directing the two music videos?

It all started with a phone call about the writer’s strike. My manager, Kim
Callahan, told me that it was gonna start to get slow. Needing a creative
outlet, I called John Black from the “Soul of John Black”, and asked if he
had a video to a particular song that I really liked. He said “No’ and then
I told him that  I had this fun idea for a video where I could also Tap
dance to, which is something that my grandfather got me doing at the age of
7, but I’ve never done in front of the camera. John Black was down. After
that I did another video for him and with those two videos my managers at
ROAR were able to show Zac Brown, who they also represented. Zac was in
between labels and their song “CHICKEN FRIED” was burning up the charts. He
said I loved your dance video (can be viewed here) on the stoop and then he began to meticulously
take apart my 2nd video like a master mechanic it was then that I realized I
was dealing with a full blown artist in every definition of the word! Zac is
a badass! Collaborating with him was an artists dream. The rest is history
as they say.

I know in order to film the videos you had five days off of Extract, a new
Mike Judge comedy. What’s your role in that flick and could you provide any
insight to what it’s about?

In the GENIUS Mike Judge’s film EXTRACT, I play a simple guy named STEP. I
have a little accident at work, that would be most men’s greatest fears next
to dating Lorena Bobbit, and this extremely beautiful woman named CINDY,
played by the most profoundly talented Mila Kunis finds out about this.
CINDY tries to blind me with her alleged love, all the while trying to get
me to sue this major company that I work for, but all I want to do is to
earn my keep and become a “somebody” in this company.


Your grandfather, Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, was a well-known character actor
and for those who don’t know, he was the hotel keeper in Rio Bravo. Did his
style of acting influence yours in any way?

It wasn’t so much Grandpa’s style, so much as it was his love and passion
for entertaining, and his work ethic. He instilled in all his kids and
grandchildren to always be proud of your work, be the best that you can be,
always have confidence in yourself, and to never let the fans down. In the
beginning of my career, most of my friends were all gang bangers and or low
riders. Those being my peers at that time, I had no desire to play other
people. My grandfather kept reminding me that I could do so many different
things if I wanted to because of my light completion.

Do you feel changing your name as you did in 1990 to Clifton Gonzalez
Gonzalez brought any attention to your grandfather’s great work in the 50′s
and 60′s?

Changing my name to Gonzalez Gonzalez certainly did bring attention to his
work. It’s not everyday that you meet a Mexican named “Clifton”! Also, quite
a few people in Hollywood already knew my birth name to be Collins, so it
came as a surprise when suddenly I’ve got not one Mexican last name but
TWO!! If that’s not a good conversation piece, then I was also allowed to
start auditioning for Mexican roles

With the way you greatly prepare, how did you prep for the Perry Smith role
in Capote? Basically, did you study him directly and try to imitate him or
add your own spin to how he was?

Wanting to do the portrayal of Perry justice, I attempted to obtain footage
and or any type of known audio. I did manage to get some video on him, but
it was with no sound. That said, I wasn’t able to pick up on any kind of
cadence in speech patterns that he may have had. So on one hand I was
jealous that Phillip had so much footage to go off of, which we both enjoyed
watching and then on the other hand it was both liberating and challenging
to be able to go create and just be. I used everything from the book “In
Cold Blood”, to studying Perry’s body posture in the many photo’s that I was
able to obtain, to studying and reading his handwriting from letters I
acquired. I also listened to a lot of Hank Williams Sr., which were many of
the songs that he was able to play. All that compiled on top of a lot of
soul searching and wrestling with my own devils is what brought Perry Smith
to life. And of course Bennet’s meticulous guidance, rehearsals which I am
forever thankful for and the fine company is which I was so honored to be
able to act with.

I just want to go ahead and get this out of the way; you’re slated to be in
The Boondock Saints II as well. Is it actually coming out this year or is it
another eight centuries before we see it? Any details or scoops for us?

My good man and the ever patient BDS Fans wait NO MORE! Comic-con this year,
well, how about NEXT MONTH? Does that sound good? We, meaning most of the
main cast will be there with the ever charming and charismatic Troy Duffy
himself to not only do a Q & A but to also reveal the new Boondock Saint’s 2
trailer. I’ll reveal this much; its super sweet and the BDS fans will
definitely be getting theirs! I’m pretty excited about this myself, even if
I wasn’t in it!

Seeing as how Star Trek is one of the biggest films of the year, I have to ask you
about your experience on it and how did you enjoy whooping up on Kirk for a
minute.

It goes without saying that working with JJ and his staff is always a good
time. His sensitivity and love for actors, story telling etc, is always a
safe haven for any entertainer. Regarding Capt. Kirk, I just love doing my
own fight scenes, having been fighting since I was 15. It’s something that I
always wanted to do, the grandeur of it all not even registering until way
after it was over. Working with Pine was a good time as well, that’s a good
dude.

Was Crank 2 as fun to make as it was to watch?

Yes, Crank 2 was a sheer blast to make. Both Brian and Mark gave me free
range to polish El Huron, and to run amuck. These two guys are constantly
breaking the rules, and what you get when that happens is new stuff to try,
new things that you never thought of before etc. They put the fun back into
film making for me, and for that, I thank them. The entire cast was a blast,
and working with Statham was a joy, not to mention I am also a fan. I only
wish the shoot were longer. As I said earlier today on set, I was living in
a mansion in Malibu and had sexy ass naked women walking around my yard and
pool area every single day, and I thought to myself “man, it doesn’t get
much better than this!” I didn’t want it to end.

You’ve played a vast majority of heroes and villains in your filmography. Do
you prefer playing one over the other?

I like playing complicated complex characters; those are usually the bad
guys.

You said you had a chance to work on Saving Private Ryan as a German (which
by the way, is impressive you learned a German monologue in two days) and
have cited Spielberg as one of your favorites. Has he ever called you back
to work on any thing yet?

The Saving Private Ryan audition is one that I’d like to put on my resume.
Just performing on that level was such a blast and so much fun. To study a
German monologue and making it sound real and not having the sides in my
hand while dropping it on tape is such a rush. I have not worked with
Spielberg as of yet, but my career is still young and growing. One day I
hope to be so lucky.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to do this, but I’d now like to thank Mr. Collins Jr. for donating his time to answer these questions. Looking forward to that Boondock Sains II presentation as well as what he goes on to direct in the future.

“Chicken Fried” can be viewed here while “Whatever It Is” can be viewed here to get sense that Collins Jr. has some pretty good talent as a director.

Unashamed, I love Crank for what it is. It’s a movie that doesn’t care who it offends just so long as a group of people are mad. It’s the movie Shoot ‘Em Up and (as much as I love this film) Punisher: War Zone want to be but lose something that made the first Crank so glorious. This isn’t every one’s cup of tea and Crank is very much love it or hate it so much it could define that type of film. All this makes it a pleasure to report while Crank: High Voltage ups the ante in every way possible, it does some things better than it’s predecessor.

Crank: High Voltage knows that it’s a movie and exploits that poetically. No life lessons are going to be learned, you’re not going to feel emotions other than “kill the bad guy”, or anything of that nature. Instead, Neveldine and Taylor treat us to twenty new ways to use the f-word, expertly violent action sequences, and an homage to the Japanese monster films of the fifties. If this makes no sense to you, don’t be alarmed as it’s not supposed to. Crank: High Voltage uses stints like a mock Maury Povich show with a character named Luke Cunard or Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) having sex with an old woman as it’s punch line. This movie is loaded with an overkill of awesome that will please anyone who needs to be entertained for an hour and a half.

The plot really doesn’t need to be mentioned for a film like this but I want to give Mark and Brian credit for actually advancing the already thin story. Where so many action films of this type just give the characters small excuses to come back, the returning cast of Crank: High Voltage feel as if they’ve actually progressed save for one or two. Admist what plot there is, there’s an assault of kick-assery to be held that the world is a better place for. Take for example the scene where Chev mounts a one man assault with a meat cleaver on a Gentlemen’s House. Bodies and their parts are tossed out the windows that send messages to one’s body causing grin and applause. The sex scene in the first one was offensive and superb, and you bet your ass there’s one in here that’s ten times better. Eve (Amy Smart) and Chev take it to the race track this time and mount some of the best laughs in the flick, including an ending that’s priceless.

Much will be made of how the film was shot and many will write it off as piss poor. Fine, they can do that but lest remember the first film was shot in exactly the same style. Yes it’s over-edited and shaky but that’s the staple of these movies ever since Saving Private Ryan and The Bourne Supremacy implored it. For this movie that’s part of the point to have your head jarring as it takes you on the ride. The film was made for $20 Million and shot on prosumer HDV camera the Canon XH-A1 and the consumer Canon HF10. Granted they shot with 12 of these puppies but it’s incredible considering how well look of the film comes off. As for it’s style, the main reason it works for Neveldine/Taylor’s films and not particularly well for something like, say, Smokin’ Aces is due to Crank and it’s sequel self-aware of what they are. Smokin’ Aces wanted to be over-the-top and outlandish, then tried to have an intricate plot.

The real comparison will likely be to Statham’s series of Transporter films. The first Crank was on par with the first Transporter, ten times better than Transporter 2 and in an entirely different class than the awful Transporter 3. Two films in and I already enjoy the Crank series better than I did the first two Transporters. Frank Martin really has no definition and is essentially Jack Bauer in a suit with a cool car. The argument could be made for Chev Chelios, but at the very least “Chevy” had a personality that was memorable and in some ways identifiable with. “It’s hard enough to go through the day without killing a motherfucker,” as Richard Pryor would say and we’ve all had days were we’ve wanted to go off, and the Crank films give us that. Comparing the two Crank movies, while the second one definitely the more fun of the two, the first had a better climax. High Voltage’s isn’t bad, in fact it’s pretty sweet capped off with a certain returning character, but there isn’t any real build up to Chelios’ final showdown with El Huron (Clifton Collins Jr.). Crank’s climax worked because Ricky Verona was a hatable character, and Carlito needed to get got after turning his back on Chev. High Voltage’s culprit Johnny Vang (Art Hsu) is murdered gloriously before the film is over, and then Chev is taken to El Huron’s mansion for the showdown. It’s violent and wonderful like the rest of the movie, but it’s not as intriguing as the first film’s showdown.

In case this hasn’t been an indicator, I loved Crank: High Voltage and plan on watching it over and over and over and over like I did with the first film once it hits Blu-ray/DVD. It’s totally self-aware and doesn’t care if you like that or not, while also wanting to offend you in every way possible. It’s worth the price of admission if only because it’s competitors right now are John Cena and the tag-team of Paul Walker and Vin Diesel. Chev Chelios hacks off Cena’s limbs, uses  his limbs to murder O’Connor and Toretto, all before punting all their heads into the Pacific Ocean. And the word is a better place for it.

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

It’s now March which means the NCAA Tournament is on the horizon (YES!), St. Patrick’s Day is close (UH OH!) and the spring movie season is in full swing. Over the past few years, the spring season has become pretty lucrative thanks in large part to films like 300. Today we’re gonna break down the movies that lead us into May and give you six flicks to watch this Spring Season.

MARCH 6

WATCHMEN

Pretty amazing most people are looking forward to this more than most of the summer blockbusters this year. Zack Snyder takes on the impossible task of faithfully adapting Alan Moore’s masterpiece onto film. Early buzz is dividing people right down the line (which any special film should) and it’s going to be very interesting to see how the general audience takes what isn’t exactly user friendly. If anything, the fact Snyder got this faithful, this far is a feat in and of itself.

MARCH 13

RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN

The People’s Champ, THE ROCK (Dwyane Johnson as he likes to be called now) stars in this remake of the 1975 Escape to Witch Mountain. With 2007’s The Game Plan being a hit among the childrens, it makes sense Disney would cash in on their next bankable star. However, everything released makes this look like it’s made just as much for adults as it was kids, something The Game Plan can’t say.

THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT

Wes Craven continues his success remaking all of his past films with this epic. The premise is the same, but gone are the dual murders and the urban setting. Can’t really tell if Wes remaking all of his catalogue is good or bad, but it worked for The Hills Have Eyes so why not? The only question, how many more years before Scream is remade?

MISS MARCH

Ever wonder what it would be like if your sweetheart turned out to be a Playboy model? Now what if you were in a coma for four years before she took on said job? Would you try to win her back? Those really aren’t questions but rather the plot to Miss March from 2/5 of the Whitest Kid’s U Know Zach Cregger and Trevor Moore. Buzz isn’t really strong on this film and they pretty much all but give away the plot in the trailers. Say hello to the $5.50 bin at Wal-Mart in two years.

MARCH 20

KNOWING

Oh Alex Proyas, ye so talented, but ye pick terrible projects. Actually, Knowing does have a good premise and has the pieces in place to be promising. The only bothersome thing is that it looks like it borrows too much from The Number 23 and The DaVinci Code with it’s “numbers” game gimmick. But it is Alex Proyas who did wonders with what he was given for I, Robot so there’s some hope.

DUPLICITY

Tony Gilroy writes and directs Clive Owen and Julia Roberts about two spies with a steamy past who hook up for the ultimate con. Gilroy’s perfected the spy genre being the man behind the Bourne trilogy but this looks much more cheerful. What we can hope for is a strong box-office take from this one so we can get Clive Owen back to leading man status. If not, then it’s probably time for Julia Roberts to do her next Richard Gere/Gary Marshall fiasco.

I LOVE YOU, MAN

Bro-mance comes full circle in this comedy from John Hamburg who gave us 2004’s Along Came Polly. Apatow regulars Paul Rudd and Jason Segel star in this flick about a friendless man trying to find a best man for his wedding, but his new BFF might put the strain on his relationship. True, the Apatow roots are there but this looks to be taking on it’s own life.

MARCH 27

ADVENTURELAND

Superbad director Greg Mottola directs this comedy about a man (Jesse Eisenberg) who takes a nothing job at an amusement park to realize it will get him ready for the real world. Mottola did a perfect job taking on the awkward stage with his previous film and even though Kristen Stewart is in this (who contributed to slapping the film world in the face with that horrid vampire film), the same should be expected. The question is can it duplicate Superbad’s success?

MONSTERS AND ALIENS

Seth Rogen does another animated film and joining him is Stephen Colbert, Reese Witherspoon and Rainn Wilson. Dreamworks finally made a film that could compete with Pixar’s best in Kung Fu Panda so it’s hard not to trust them with this. It’s also not gonna hurt that this is in 3-D either.

THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT

I’m pretty sure I remember this film being titled The Amityville Horror. That reveal all trailer didn’t help matters either

12 ROUNDS

John Cena and Renny Harlin is a duo that causes nausea to children in Africa. Actually, the only interesting thing about this flick is Aiden Gillen, who was perfect as Mayor Tommy Carcetti on TV’s “The Wire” (the greatest show ever.) The plot of this film is a little reminiscent of Die Hard With A Vengeance with Cena’s other film The Marine mixed in. If there’s justice, Witch Mountain will destroy this film, box office wise.

APRIL 3

FAST AND FURIOUS

As someone who thought the last three Furious films were complete crap, color me excited for this one. The trailers have been slick and Tokyo Drift director Justin Lin teams with the original cast in what is essentially a “re-imagining” of the first film. Only with something resembling a plot, and much, much better action.

APRIL 8/APRIL 10

DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION (April

There’s a world of problems surrounding this film, be it that the lead has no asian bone in him, Emmy Rossum looking bored, or the plot not even trying to honor the original. Aside from one or two die-hards (or people who won’t admit this will be bad), the fans have all but damned this film from the beginning. Two other films are planned, but those might end up being straight to DVD releases, considering the other film this one has to go up against.

HANNAH MONTANA: THE MOVIE

So what I’ve watched a few episodes or thirty of this show. Who cares if I’ve got “Nobody’s Perfect” on my iTunes? The film is the best way to send off this show seeing as Disney trashes their shows after 63 episodes and Miley is all but ready to mature. It’s that which really makes the film autobiographical in a sense, although given the great job Billy Ray has done with his child (and truly, he has) it’s tough to think Miley would throw a shoe at Tyra Banks. Still, the Zack Snyder version of this film would pull in more bank than the film is already going to get.

OBSERVE AND REPORT

On the heels of Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Seth Rogen being the comedy golden boy comes this flick about a mall security guard trying to stop a flasher from turning the mall into his playground. Unlike the other security guard film, this will be more crude and (reportedly) a nice follow up to The Foot Fist Way. Is it good or bad Rogen is starting to star in films that feature full frontal male nudity?

CASE 39

Renee Zellweger looks to continue the trend of struggling actresses teaming with foreign directors for a re-imagining. She plays a social worker who tries to defend a girl from her abusive parents, but gets more than she bargains for. Ian McShane is on tap as well which may be this film’s only redeeming factor.

APRIL 17

CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE

If there’s one film I’m looking forward to more than Watchmen, it’d be this. Crank is one of the most entertaining films you’ll find and this one looks to ramp up everything great about the first film. What made the first so great is that it just didn’t care who it offended and played on that. Plus, any film that has a shotgun being literally stuck up a guy’s ass has to be great, yes?

17 AGAIN

Maybe this should have been called Big Jack Going On 17. Matthew Perry plays a man who’s lived life full of regrets and suddenly changes into Zac Efron, much to the delight of Leslie Mann. She’s supposed to be confused, but realistically, I think any of Perry’s dates would be thrilled if he transformed into Troy Bolton (nor would they care.)

STATE OF PLAY

Based on the 2003 BBC series, State of Play features Ben Affleck as a man on the rise in the political world, til his mistress and research assistant is murdered and Russell Crowe snoops around into a conspiracy that gets them all in over their heads. The Last King of Scotland director Kevin Macdonald hemls this which should be the tout April thriller we seem to get every year (i.e. – The Interpreter, Insomina, Identity, Inside Man, etc.)

APRIL 24

OBSESSED

The only appealing thing in this flick is Idris Elba who (much like Aiden Gillen) was perfect as Stringer Bell on “The Wire: The Greatest Television Show Ever”. In this, he seems to take the logical choice of Ali Larter over the overrated mess that is Beyonce Knowles. Then again, how logical is it when the former is a psychotic ‘obsessed’ maniac? The only way this film wouldn’t be a complete rip off is if Beyonce has a song and dance with Ali Larter in a cover of “The Boy Is Mine”. That, or Omar Devone Little shows up.

FIGHTING

Audiences get a taste of G.I. Joe leading man Channing Tatum in this flick which looks like a much more faithful adaptation of Street Fighter than the recently released “adaptation”. The film also features Luis Guzman and Terrence Howard who should give the film some form of entertainment.

THE SOLOIST

Robert Downey Jr. portrays Steve Lopez, a reporter who befriends troubled yet brilliant Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx) who lives on Skid Row. It’s not bad buzz that this was pushed from it’s scheduled October released date to now. The film is helmed by Atonement director Joe Wright, features two of the best actors working today, and should have a nice script that tells a triumphant tale. It will end the spring well.

Now, officially spring isn’t over but in the movie world, the summer starts in May. Having said that, here are my Top Six Most Anticipated Spring Films:

1. WATCHMEN
2. CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE
3. THE SOLOIST
4. RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN
5. MONSTERS AND ALIENS
6. FAST AND FURIOUS

Enjoy the spring season that kicks off on Friday with Watchmen. My video and text reviews will follow.

What more could one want than a movie full of action from start to finish? Well how about some vulgarity and a little more action that the first. Crank 2 is the sequel to a movie that didn’t need to be made in the first place. While fun and semi enjoyable, it really is just another transporter with crazy stuff happening in it. This trailer is really over the top in every way!!

Check out the Redband Trailer below.

As per a request from Lionsgate we have removed the trailer

What did you think? Is this a sequel that you want to see?

Crank 2: High Voltage arrives in theaters everywhere on April 17th. Will you be ready?