Happy Sad Confused

Mahershala Ali is in the middle of the transition every actor dreams of--from that guy to THE guy. He reveals all in this week's episode of "Happy Sad Confused" as he traces his trajectory, from "House of Cards" to his film debut in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" to the enviable place he is now -- dominating every screen imaginable. On TV, he's Cottonmouth, the scene-stealing bad guy in the binge-worthy show of the moment, "Luke Cage". And on the big screen, come October 21st, he'll be looming large in the poignant coming of age drama, "Moonlight". Ali sits down with Josh to talk about it all, from working with David Fincher to Derek Cianfrance, to suddenly getting him moment in the sun at 42. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Warning: this podcast is full of Samuel L. Jackson awesomeness. Yes, on this week’s episode of “Happy Sad Confused”, Josh Horowitz welcomes the king of the badasses and he does not disappoint. Prepare for a series of truth bombs from the star of “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” from what the best thing about being Samuel L. Jackson is (spoiler: free shit) to what enrages him on a film set. This visit with Sam is one for the time capsule. As if that wasn’t enough, Josh is also joined by Jackson’s “Miss Peregrine” director, Tim Burton. The notorious man in black gushes over Christopher Lee and Winona Ryder, gives us a “Beetlejuice 2” update, and reveals the biggest fans of his films are often pets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the debut episode of Happy Sad Confused! Kinda. Okay, not really. Despite being around since, it is true that Happy Sad Confused is new and improved, joining the MTV podcast network at long last. For the uninitiated, here’s the deal: each week Josh Horowitz nerds out with the biggest movie stars and directors—it’s that simple. If you’re late to the party you’ve already missed everyone from Hugh Jackman and Tom Hiddleston to Kristen Stewart and Anna Kendrick swinging by. But don’t worry, they’ll be back. Anna’s come by three times already. This week Josh has returned from the Toronto International Film Festival with three interviews in tow. First up is early Academy Award front-runner Emma Stone, starring in La La Land. Emma reveals her useless Trivial Pursuit skills, why it took her so long to do a musical, and her reluctance to watch Game of Thrones alone. Next up is Lily James of Cinderella and Downton Abbey Fame, starring in the upcoming thriller The Exception. Lily reveals how she ended up recently singing the Spice Girls in a strip club and why she’s a conflicted cat lady at heart. Finally is a gloriously off the rails catch up with Jai Courtney who opens up about the divided Suicide Squad reactions, whether he might be coming back for The Flash, and how disturbingly comfortable he is in the nude on screen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicholas Meyer is a novelist, a screenwriter, a director, and most importantly to Trekkies, the man perhaps most responsible for resurrecting Star Trek in the 80s. The director of "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" reminisces with Josh about his life, influences, and all things Trek, including his long-awaited return to the franchise as a writer on "Star Trek: Discovery". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you don't love Tony Hale from "Arrested Development," you love him from "Veep". Who are you kidding? You probably love him from both AND tons of other work. The Emmy nominated actor joins Josh to reflect on his career and give some important advice about enjoying the moment! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edgar Ramirez returns! The "Carlos" star makes a return trip to Josh's office to talk about bonding with Robert DeNiro and playing Roberto Duran in the boxing flick, "Hands of Stone". Also, Josh helps Edgar plot a reunion on the big screen with Jessica Chasten. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The charming and talented John Krasinski joins Josh to talk about directing "The Hollars", nearly playing Captain America, and getting his action hero on in the upcoming Jack Ryan TV series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't hate him just because he plays an awesome bad guy. Stephen Lang of "Avatar" fame stops by to update Josh on the sequels, reminisce about his theater roots, and discuss his new films, "Don't Breathe" and "Beyond Glory". Oh and about him playing Cable... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The delightful Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson film series, Perks of Being a Wallflower) joins Josh to chat about the state of film, the difficult choices he has to make choosing roles, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh catches up with Tom Hiddleston while he is in Australia shooting the new Thor film to chat about his Emmy nomination for The Night Manager. Also, actor Nicholas Hoult (X-Men: Apocalypse) joins Josh to talk about playing Pokemon Go, asking Siri where to hide a dead body, and working alongside Kristen Stewart in his latest film Equals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor Dave Franco (21 Jump Street, Now You See Me, Neighbors) joins Josh this week to about his latest teen techno-thriller film Nerve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a historic moment for Happy Sad Confused. Anna Kendrick is now officially a 3 time guest on the show! She joins Josh this week to talk about Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, writing her book Scrappy Little Nobody, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive, The Pusher trilogy) joins Josh to talk about his new horror film The Neon Demon starring Elle Fanning, what lead him to start creating films that he wished to see, who would make the perfect Wonder Woman, and his love of the James Bond films. This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron and Casper Mattresses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The one and only Jeff Goldblum joins Josh this week to discuss his admiration for numerous actors, returning to the Independence Day series with the new film Independence Day: Resurgence, and how fatherhood is treating him. This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron and Casper Mattresses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Filmmaker Jon M. Chu joins Josh this week to discuss his latest film Now You See Me 2, what he learned from Jem and the Holograms, and much more. This episode is sponsored by Audible.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Screenwriter and producer Simon Kinberg joins Josh to talk about writing this year's summer blockbuster X-Men: Apocalypse and so much more. Have a Happy Sad Confused Memorial Day! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and Jorma Taccone of The Lonely Island join Josh to talk about their latest hilarious film Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Filmmaker Shane Black joins Josh this week to talk about his latest film The Nice Guys with Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe, the importance of titling projects, how Kiss Kiss Bang Bang started out as a romantic comedy, The Longest Goodnight sequel that never happened, and much more. This episode is sponsored by www.replayseries.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Caitriona Balfe, the lovely and talented star of Outlander on Starz joins Josh this week to talk about playing Claire Beauchamp in Outlander, Money Monster, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Key and Peele sit down with Josh to talk about Keanu, and then Josh speaks with Eric Bana. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The amazing Oscar nominated brilliant actor Ralph Fiennes joins Josh to talk about A Bigger Splash, Strange Days, Schindler's List, playing Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter films, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Heughan is a charming guy and hard working actor. Sam joins Josh this week to talk about the new season of the Starz series Outlander, where he was in his career before he got his role in the series, and the pros and cons of being objectified for your looks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a Happy Sad Confused first as Josh welcomes Sam Rockwell and Anna Kendrick to chat about their new quirky comedy action film Mr. Right in theaters now. Then, hilarious power couple Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone join Josh to talk about their new film The Boss, coming up through The Groundlings together, Ghostbusters and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The amazingly talented Don Cheadle of Hotel Rwanda, the Oscar winning Crash, and War Machine in the Marvel films joins Josh this week to talk about directing his first feature film, Miles Ahead. It's a real labor of love for Don as he goes into all the steps it took to get the film about the legendary Miles Davis ultimately made. Plus, Don shares a revealing fact about his House of Lies co-star Ben Schwartz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It finally happened. Tom Hiddleston joins Josh after much anticipation to chat about playing singer-songwriter Hank Williams in I Saw The Light, shooting Kong: Skull Island, his interest going back to the theatre, and much more. Plus, Josh catches up with the lovely Elizabeth Olsen about I Saw The Light, Avengers, and condiments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 100th episode of Happy Sad Confused, the dynamically short-haired Miles Teller returns to join Josh to talk about Han Solo rumors, The Divergent Series, and his perspective on Fantastic Four. Then, the delightful Sebastian Stan joins Josh to talk about his many nicknames, The Bronze, and becoming the Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The astounding Mary Elizabeth Winstead join Josh this week to talk about her many film roles including her starring role in the upcoming 10 Cloverfield Lane, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Death Proof, and a real gem known as Smashed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The very talented young man Taron Egerton joins Josh this week to talk about his latest film Eddie the Eagle, Kingsman: The Secret Service, and where he sees his career going in the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Oscar award nominated actress Jennifer Jason Leigh joins Josh this week to talk about her great assortment of roles in her tremendous career from Fast Times at Ridgemont High to The Hateful Eight and everything in-between. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This was a big one. Michael Mann is kind of the man. Michael is an incredible director, screenwriter, and producer known for Heat, The Last of the Mohicans, and most recently Blackhat. Michael joins Josh this week to talk about the behind the scenes of many of his terrific films. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The lovely and talented Gillian Jacobs joins Josh this week to talk about her new Netflix show "Love," how "Community" brought stability to her life as an actor, one of her worst auditions, and her short documentary "The Queen Of Code". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Edgerton is a hard working actor and filmmaker. His 2015 directorial debut The Gift, which he also wrote, co-produced and co-starred in has been met with critical acclaim. Joel joins Josh this week to talk about how it was a miracle that his latest film Jane Got a Gun even got made, working with George Lucas on Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and his movie swag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hilarious human Rob Corddry joins Josh this week to talk about the time he tripped his socks off at Comic-Con, the new 7th season of Childrens Hospital on Adult Swim, playing lovable bad guys, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The lovely and talented Chloe Grace Moretz joins Josh this week to chat about her latest film The 5th Wave, her recent 50 hour binge watch of Game of Thrones, an intense road trip to Nashville, her early memories of being on set, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The exceptionally talented, tall, and dashing Domhnall Gleeson dominated 2015 as an actor. Domhnall joins Josh this week to talk about his sketch comedy past, Brooklyn, Ex Machina, and portraying General Hux in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. There will be spoilers! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The lovely and talented Natalie Dormer joins Josh to kick off the New Year! They chat about Natalie playing twins in the supernatural horror film The Forest, taking her time to work on an accent for a character, working with Heath Ledger in her breakout film Casanova, and how Game of Thrones has helped her & the cast of the show immensely as actors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most celebrated filmmakers of all time, Quentin Tarantino joins Josh to end the year strong with a conversation about his latest film The Hateful Eight, why he wouldn't be able to make a horror film as good as The Exorcist, meeting his hero Brian De Palma, the early version of Kill Bill, and the possibility of a stage version of The Hateful Eight. Happy New Year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of The Hateful Eight, the great Kurt Russell joins Josh this week to chat about the latest Quentin Tarantino film (which comes out this Christmas) as well his John Carpenter collaborations from Escape from New York to Big Trouble in Little China. Get ready to listen to Kurt embodying Jack Burton as if no time has passed quoting lines from the film in character. Happy Holidays! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Incredible actor Mark Strong joins Josh this week to talk about currently playing Eddie Carbone in A View from the Bridge on Broadway, discovering acting while studying law, the importance of diction in acting, and his thoughts on playing villains in film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wonderful filmmaker Ron Howard joins Josh this week to talk about his latest ambitious tense drama film In the Heart of the Sea, going from being an actor in The Andy Griffith Show & Happy Days to directing, taking a risk as a filmmaker with Apollo 13, and Willow. Have a Happy/Sad/Confused Thanksgiving! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wonderful English actor (and now director) Paul Bettany joins Josh this week to talk about his directorial debut and passion project Shelter which is based on a real homeless couple, playing J.A.R.V.I.S. in many of the Marvel films as well as becoming The Vision, connecting with his friend Johnny Depp over scarves, and his experience working with Peter O'Toole. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The amazing and talented Brie Larson joins Josh this week to talk about the process of shooting her latest powerful drama-thriller Room, crying at the end of Chopped, and what she's learned from her experience as a child actor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Filmmaker Sam Raimi is a true geek God. Decades later after the original Evil Dead, he has returned to the franchise with the new Starz TV series Ash vs. Evil Dead. Sam chats with Josh about all things Evil Dead from the very early beginnings to the brand new chapter in the series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Director Danny Boyle is as charming as he is talented. Danny joins Josh this week to talk about the world of Steve Jobs, how the best stuff coms from not knowing what you're doing, working with Ewan McGregor once again after having a falling out in the past, and the long awaited sequel to Trainspotting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vin Diesel, star of The Last Witch Hunter joins Josh this week for a very rare podcast appearance! Vin talks about his indie filmmaking roots, writing the script for his first short film Multi-Facial in five days, the story why he passed on taking a role in Reindeer Games, and his dream project Hannibal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Miss Winona Ryder has been a movie geek from a very young age watching Cassavetes films thanks to her mother's projectionist connections. Winona joins Josh to talk about trying to jump into Fantasia the first time she went to the movies and being asked to leave, becoming friends almost immediately with Tim Burton, and the status of the Beetlejuice sequel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of our best living filmmakers, Guillermo del Toro joins Josh to talk about his new romantic gothic horror film Crimson Peak, encountering the supernatural in the haunted Waitomo Caves Hotel in New Zealand, being heavily influenced by Alfred Hitchcock and George Miller, and the possibility of a third Hellboy film in the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mr. Ben Schwartz of House of Lies and Parks and Recreation joins Josh this week to test his coordination, talk about his role in the new Robert Zemeckis film The Walk, doing improv with actors who have never done it before onstage at UCB-LA, and share his Top 5 Influential TV Comedies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A truly unique and fascination individual, actor Michael Shannon joins Josh this week to talk about his rough high school years, his favorite Star Wars character, preparing for his role in 99 Homes, and his experience meeting David Lynch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Garfield is a talented actor and overall good guy. Andrew joins Josh to talk about his experience playing Spiderman, finding a real connection to the subject matter in his new film 99 Homes, and performing on Broadway alongside Philip Seymour Hoffman in Death of a Salesman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices