Milling About

Hallie Todd joins host Robin Milling to discuss The Last Champion. It's a family affair with Hallie acting, producing, and co-writing with her director/husband Glenn Withrow and their daughter Ivy. Hallie tells Robin the backdrop of high school wrestling comes from Glenn's own personal throw downs on the mat that were actually choreographed by professional wrestlers and given the seal of approval by his idol, former Olympian Dan Gable. Hallie discusses taking on the role of the aspiring high school wrestler's alcoholic mother– a wonderful performance – and a complete 180 from Lizzie McGuire's mom! Starring Cole Hauser as the coach, wrestling with his own demons of failed glory, Hallie talks about their decision to cast him in the pivotal role, and how all the other members of the cast bonded in rural Washington.

Director Thomas Bezucha joins host Robin Milling to talk about his latest film, 'Let Him Go.' The tense and emotional film follows stars Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as married couple George and Margaret Blackledge, as they try to rescue their young grandson from the clutches of the dangerous Weboy family headed by matriarch Blanche Weboy. (Lesley Manville). Thomas tells Robin what it was like to direct the famous movie couple who did practically all their own stunts, and horseback riding. A self-proclaimed 'mother to his babies,' he admitted his nerves were frayed about his actors during some of the fight scenes, especially involving real fire. However they did have great food on the set to offset any anxiety! Thomas says Kevin and Diane particularly loved the movie pot roast, and the pork chops were a big hit as well with co-stars Connor Mackay and Adam Stafford.

Filmmaker Al Bailey in his debut documentary 'DTF'; follows his friend “Christian,” a widowed airline pilot around the world over the course of 18 months, who uses his career in his quest to find new love, through the dating app Tinder. Al tells Robin that from the start the quest spirals into witnessing first-hand the pilot's sexual predatory behavior and drug and alcohol depravity -- takeing on a whole new unexpected horrific twist in telling his story. This podcast contains sexual and explicit language that may not be appropriate for everyone.

Director Rod Lurie joins host Robin Milling to discuss The Outpost, a gritty depiction of a unit of U.S. soldiers battling Taliban forces at the remote Combat Outpost Keating in 2009 in the Battle of Kamdesh. Rod tells Robin how he put his actors – five of whom are related to famous folk - through their military paces at boot camp to help them bond as soldiers in the film. Their surnames include Eastwood, Jagger, Attenborough, Alda, and Gibson. Shot on location in Sofia, Bulgaria, Rod says the film almost didn't get made as his son Hunter Lurie sadly died during production. The end result, complete with accurate no-holds-barred realistic battle scenes, with the help of military consultants on the set, is a soaring homage to Hunter and the fallen soldiers.

Michael Pitt joins host Robin Milling to talk about his role in Run With The Hunted. Michael tells Robin how he developed his character, giving input to the way he looks, and how he behaves as a Faginesque character (Oscar) who, lost himself, runs a group of lost boys into a life of crime. Michael is also a musician, a great storyteller, and quite funny; although you wouldn't get that from the roles he plays.  Some of those stories involve Kurt Cobain, Joaquin Phoenix, and his co-star Dree Hemingway. An accomplished actor, best known for his role as Jimmy Darmody in Boardwalk Empire, the New Jersey native talks about what it's like to be misunderstood by the media and puts an end to the myths that surround his personal character.   

It's been over 40 years since Rocky, the underdog classic film, written and directed by Sylvester Stallone won over our cinematic hearts. Writer/director Derek Wayne Johnson chats with host Robin Milling about the documentary 40 Years of Rocky: The Birth Of A Classic, a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of Rocky, narrated by Stallone himself. Johnson reveals stories from the documentary that have never been seen or heard about in the making of this award-winning franchise. If you'd like to see this interview, please visit Milling About on YouTube and subscribe  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL4xF9XG4r6aBok-uQoZt1w  

During this time of isolation treat yourself to this laugh out loud comedy, Love. Wedding. Repeat on Netflix. Director Dean Craig joins host Robin Milling to talk about this outrageous British farce starring Sam Claflin, Olivia Munn, and a host of superb comedians.  

Director Jon Avnet rings in the new year with host Robin Milling to chat about his new film Three Christs. Currently playing in theaters it stars the triumverate threat of Peter Dinklage, Walton Goggins and Bradley Whitford as paranoid schizophrenics who each believe they're Jesus Christ. Led by the calming and spiritual guidance of Richard Gere who portrays the doctor that saves them from certain dangerous medical solutions, and instead treats them with reason. Avnet shares stories about his long-standing friendship with Gere which dates back to working together on Red Corner in 1997, and how they collaborated on bringing this story to the screen. Avnet - who also co-wrote the screenplay - tells Robin he did his homework, working with reknowned pyschoanalyst Dr. Aaron Stern to get all the details right. He also relates some of the happy accidents that occurred while filming this important cautionary tale about medical abuse.

Veteran movie producer Hawk Koch joins host Robin Milling to talk about his autobiography, “Magic Time: My Life In Hollywood.” Hawk tells Robin how he was bit by the movie bug at just four years old, and shares storied tales about working with acting legends such as Jack Nicholson, Natalie Wood, and Robert Redford, to name a few. Hawk candidly shares the difficult relationship he had with his own father, the much beloved bigwig at Paramount Pictures, Howard W. Koch. Despite being “the son of:” he talks about making his way in the business from production assistant to President of the Motion Picture Academy. He reveals to Robin how he claimed his own name at the tender age of 49, and gained his own respect from the Hollywood elite. In lieu of his close relationships with Jack Nicholson and Roman Polanski, Hawk also weighs in on Nicholson's retirement and Roman Polanski's legal troubles

Treat Williams joins host Robin Milling to talk about his role as a doctor circa 1920's in The Great Alaskan Race  The true story - written, directed and starring Brian Presley - is about mushers who drove their Huskies 700 miles in 80 degrees below zero to retreve serum to save the lives of children in the small town of Nome, Alaska from diptheria. While the cast had to brave the stormy weather shooting in Silverton, Colorado, Treat tells Robin, despite being an experienced pilot he had a bout with the altitude. A certified flight instructor, he also reveals some seriously close calls over the course of his time flying multi-engine planes. Most significantly, this marks the 40th anniversary of the musical film Hair.  Treat recalls the harrowing audition process he had to go through to land the iconic role of Berger  

Songwriter Stephen Bishop joins host Robin Milling to talk about his new CD, We'll Talk About It Later In The Car. Stephen tells Robin the origins of the title come from a very famous movie Princess. This is just one of the amusing and engaging stories Bishop shares as he's had quite the musical journey spanning almost four decades. It seems Stephen has a story for everything from his brush with his all time favorite band The Beatles, to the inspiration behind songs such as Almost Home, and Like Mother Like Daughter, which he also performs acoustically from the new CD.  

John Buffalo Mailer joins host Robin Milling to talk about his new film The Second Sun. It's a famly affair as it also stars his wife Claudia Maree Mailer, and was produced by his brother Michael Mailer.  Yes, John has a very famous name, and it's not just because he is the son of Norman Mailer; it's his given middle name Buffalo which he explains to Robin is a finely kept family secret. John discusses maintaining his father's legacy his way with a documentary based on the biography "Norman Mailer: A Double Life." It's a daunting task he says, and will be released under the banner of his production company, MTM "with a buffalo head instead of a lion." The Second Sun is set in the 1950s which also proved to be a challenging task to get the character of the time just right. John reveals how he literally stepped into the role of a lost soul who meets his beshert in post-war Manhattan. What is a soul mate and love at first sight are also topics of discussion in this candid conversation.

Summer is off to a great start at Claude's restaurant in the Southhampton Inn in Southhampton, New York. Let's Do Lunch! experienced a homey but contemporary dining experience with an excellent cuisine prepared by Chef Charlie and served with an accommodating smile by Devan. Host Robin Milling, along with her three guests, chats with Devan about the eclectic menu featuring a starter of light and airy Chicken Corn Chowder, and spicy and sweet Crispy Shrimp & Calamari. The mains can come from all day dining or the dinner menu featuring tender and juicy Marinated Hanger Steak, the special Catch of the Day which was delcious Montauk caught Yellow Fin Flounder with Pineapple Mango Chutney, and delectable Black Sea Bass with Watermelon Feta salad. Their signature drinks have a fizz and a kick such as the Hampton's Lemonade with Stoli Blueberry Vodka and fresh muddled blueberries. The restaurant, named for owner Dede Gotthelf's beloved cat has feline photos lining the walls as you enter. Managed by Food & 

Indie filmmaker Ari Taub joins host Robin Milling to talk about his new movie, 79 Parts, available today on VOD. Ari tells Robin the film was 15 years in the making but worth all the effort.  It might be an indie but boasts the movie star Eric Roberts who took on the role for much less than his usual pay grade. Taub credtis Donna McKenna, the five-borough casting guru for snagging Roberts. Ari tells Robin the well prepared actor has an interesting way of goofing off between takes. Rounding out the cast are Angelica Page, a personal friend of Taub's, Lou Martini, Jr. (The Sopranos) and Sandra Bernhard. .  Ari tells Robin lots of stories behind how the film finally made it to the light of day, which did not include a release date in 2016, according to IMDB. He reveals how he assembled the impressive collection of vintage 70s cars, and giving his father Stanley Taub a cameo - also a filmmaker - who inspired his son to continue this 'crazy career.'        

Emily Mortimer, Dolly Wells and Grace Van Patten, the stars ofGood Posture join host Robin Milling at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. The film features first time director Wells who also wrote the screenplay about a young girl (Van Patten) who moves in with family friend and famed author (Mortimer), after her widower father moves to Paris with his young girlfriend.  It was a labor of friendship and love as Wells and Mortimer are lifelong friends. They talk about that familial connection, easily bringing Van Patten into their inner circle. They've extended those familial ties even further among their children and siblings.  The ladies of Good Posture tell Robin what it was like working together on the film which was shot in Brooklyn, sharing behind-the-scene stories from the set. They reveal a few more gems that only good friends can chatter about. 

It's been almost 30 years in the making, but former front man and co-founder of the legendary band YES, Jon Anderson has released a new album. 1,000 Hands is a loving musical embrace featuring a little help from Anderson's friends ranging from Ian Anderson, Chick Corea, and Rick Derringer to former bandmates Steve Howe, Chris Squire and Alan White. Jon joins host Robin Milling to chat about the new music and reminisce about the classics. Some of the stories behind the lyrics may surprise you. The one thing that is constant throughout Anderson's life is love and art, and the dedicated determination to continue to meld the two together. Jon candidly shares how music had a hand - pun intended - in shaping his life personally and professionally.

Tom Everett Scott joins host Robin Milling to talk about his new film, I Hate Kids. In real life, that couldn't be further from the truth as Tom loves his two kids, and is happily married. He tells Robin, "when my first daughter was born I thought how much more could my heart take." Known for such roles as Emma Stone's husband in La La Land, and the drummer in That Thing You Do, Tom is also a triple threat. He is currently starring in I'm Sorry going into its second season for Tru TV, working on a film project with Alicia Silverstone and thinking about returning to the Broadway stage. He reminisces with Robin about his Broadway debut, The LIttle Dog Laughed. For much more on marriage, kids and a special gift he received from Meryl Streep, listen here!

Most people know the legend of Judy Collins - the blue-eyed beauty - who inspired Suite Judy Blue Eyes by Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills and Nash. In this candid chat with host Robin Milling, Judy talks about the stories that have shaped her musical history. Judy tells Robin about her on-going musical collaboration with Stills and their singing union on the CD Stills & Collins. After all these years, they are performing live together enriched even more by their friendship. She talks about what it's like to have songs written about her and the ones she discovered along the way like Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now that gave her Top 10 success. Along with those heady times there were demons to battle. Judy unabashedly shares her struggles with alcoholism and how she continues one day at a time to deal with the debilitating addiction that almost cost her career.  At 79, Collins shows no signs of slowing down. She tells Robin about her future plans and what she hopes to accomplish in the worlds of music,

Let's Do Lunch! dines at La Pulperia on the upper east of New York City. The restaurant is a unique and delectable mix of Brazillian and South American flavors with a Latin flair that will tingle your taste buds. Their signature dishes are the Pacu Fish Ribs, Moqueca Mixta and El Salmon Brulee which is the sumptuous one-of-a-kind creation of Executive Chef Carlos Barroz. You normally wouldn't consider sweet and fishy as a match but this salmon tartar topped with a fromage brulee gives this raw bar selection an exciting crunchy flavor. Host Robin Milling talks with the server Jimy who proudly talks about how each selection was prepared. The bar scene is lively with bartender Cesar shaking up the La Pulperia UES cocktail. It's a marguerita with a Mexican flair featuring homemade tajin salt and a floating chili pepper garnish which Jimy says “I don't recommend you biting it at all!” The Crudo Tasting is a perfect mix of Tuna Tiradito, Shrimp Ceviche and the El Salmon Brulee. Our starter was corn and pork empana

Paul Mecurio joins host Robin Milling to talk about his one-man Off Broadway series “Permission to Speak” now playing at The Actors Temple through December. Paul tells Robin the inspiration for the show where audience members chat with Paul to reveal their stories, often sharing their inner most thoughts and feelings. “I'm a therapist, a pimp and a comedian all rolled into one,!” he says. His knack for conversation can also be heard on his own podcast, The Paul Mecurio Show. A former lawyer and investment banker on Wall Street, Paul tells Robin how he switched gears to become a stand-up comedian through the encouragement of none other than Jay Leno. He has since parlayed his comedy writing talents for The Daily Show (with Jon Stewart) and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The Rhode Island born entertainer talks about how he developed his gift for gab, marrying his high school sweetheart and much more.