“It was about 20-30 degrees below zero with 80 mph winds,” Bray, who is of Irish and Mexican descent, told me during an interview last week. “Our heads were freezing so badly, we could barely say any of our dialogue.”

In “The Grey,” Bray plays Hernández, an airplane crash survivor who must survive in the wild while a pack of grey wolves stalk him and his team of oil drillers.

During our interview, Bray, who has worked as a stuntman in the film industry for nearly 20 years, talked about playing an actual character in a movie and how he thinks special effects have changed the way directors confront certain scenes in their movies.

Tell us about your character Hernández and what you liked so much about him.

He is obviously a bad guy, but he seems to be one of those guys that could’ve gone to the good side or the bad side at a young age. I just understood him as a guy who was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I think there is a nice guy in Hernández, but he was just exposed to the wrong situations. But there is a soft spot to him. He has a heart.

Most of your career has been as a stuntman, so what is the experience like for you when you get the opportunity to play an actual character in a movie?

You get to be emotionally involved in a character at that moment. It’s an art form. It’s a different type of art than stunts. Stunts are more technical at times. As an actor, you come in as an emotional being. It was a fantastic experience.

How have special effects changed the film industry for you as a stuntman?

It’s affected us. We’re always worried about those things. I mean, special effects have its place in certain circumstances. I still think it’s hard to fool the audience. They know the difference between a CGI person and a live-action person. There have been times where I’ll be in a production meeting and the script will show a six-car pile up with people running out of the vehicles and a huge explosion. Then they say, “Instead of having 12 people running out we’re going to have five people and we’ll add smoke and fire later [with CGI].” That’s the tough part. The business is evolving. Some directors are OK with it and some directors like Joe Carnahan [of “The Grey”] love live action want to keep the film as real as possible.

So, no CGI wolves in “The Grey?”

Well, we use actual wolves, yes, but like I said there is a place for special effects. In “The Grey,” there are CGI wolves, but we also have real wolves. Here is a perfect example of having to use CGI in specific scenes. These grey wolves are much bigger than the average wolf. They are almost prehistoric. These wolves are so menacing and vicious, but real wolves are more like dogs. They’re not as vicious as the wolves in this story. So, there had to be CGI wolves in reference to the action.

When someone asks about your background as a stuntman, what films would you tell them to see to get a better sense of what you do?

Well, my background is boxing. I was the stunt coordinator on “The Fighter” with Mark Wahlberg, so I’d want them to see that. But I’d also want them to see “The A-Team,” which shows a mixture of CGI and action. Those two films would really show a young stuntman who wants to be part of the industry what it’s all about.

“I rarely watched the show before Season 10,” Rodríguez admitted to me during an interview to help promote Season 11, which premiered last week. “Now, I know what it’s like to be there, so I’m probably going to want to see everything.”

Last season, Rodríguez, who is half Dominican and half Peruvian, finished in 12^th place after making it to the semifinals. She was commended by many Latino viewers for making a bold choice to sing in both English and Spanish during the competition.

During our interview, Rodríguez talked about why she connects more with Spanish-language music and what it’s really like singing in front of someone like Jennifer Lopez.

“American Idol” airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. on Fox.

Last season when you were a contestant, why was it so important for you to perform in both English and Spanish?

Spanish is my first language. My parents are from the Dominican Republic and Peru. They both came to the U.S. to seek opportunities. For me to have an opportunity like “American Idol” speaks volumes. A lot Latinos are still coming over here to the U.S. to seek those same dreams, but there are so many out there who don’t feel like they’re represented. I wanted to be their voice and speak for all of them. I want to tell them, “You can be President. You can get that job. You can be the net big pop star.”

Did you ever worry you would disconnect yourself from the TV audience who were not bilingual?

No, because I feel like I have the best of both worlds. I am Latina and I am an American. Eventually when I do become the artist I know I can be I’m going to want to sing in both languages. I wanted to show people who I am from the very beginning. I want them to know I’ve been real this whole time.

When you sing in Spanish does it feel different than when you sing in English? Do you deliver the songs differently?

I think Spanish music is so much different than English music, especially the Spanish music I grew up hearing and singing. I think I might connect with Spanish a little more. Spanish music tends to have more emotion. There is a lot of pain in boleros and rancheras. When singers like Celia Cruz or Marc Anthony sing a song in Spanish about heartbreak, they leave their pain on the stage. You can hear the cries in their voices. That’s what I try to deliver as well.

What was it like singing in front of someone you idolize like Jennifer Lopez?

How many people get to sing in front of their idol every week? I had been following her career since I was eight years old. I grew up listening to all her songs and buying her albums. To have her there and develop a relationship with her through music was great. She’s been one of my guides in my career.

Last year was the first year Simon Cowell was not on the judges’ panel. Some critics said the judges were too easy on the contestants. Even Jennifer Lopez has stated the judges are going to be tougher this season. Did you feel like you received enough constructive criticism or would you have liked more?

I think it was the first time for Steven [Tyler] and Jennifer so they were trying different things out. Personally, I loved the judges when I was on the show. It was like they were doing comedy. We knew we weren’t going to go on stage and feel like we were going to be attacked. Contestants that had Simon judging them probably felt a little scared. For me, I just tried to go out there and do what I do. If they liked it, that was great. If they didn’t, they would tell us with care and love. I think that’s something everyone needs from their mentors. At the end of the day, I knew that when I performed on stage I was going to leave with a smile on my face.

The new animated series “Napoleon Dynamite” joined Fox’s Sunday night lineup for the first time last weekend. During an interview with me, actor Efren Ramirez, best know for his role as Napoleon Dynamite’s sidekick Pedro Sanchez, talked about reprising his role as the sweet-hearted transfer student from Mexico and how revisiting a character like Pedro will be good for him.

“Napoleon Dynamite” airs Sundays on Fox at 7:30 p.m.

“Napoleon Dynamite” has returned but in animated form? What’s going on?

(Laughs) Yeah, Jared [Hess], who directed “Napoleon Dynamite,” always wanted to do something else with the film. The studio thought of doing a sequel or a prequel. I think Jared also had the idea to make it into a cartoon. They definitely wanted to create something that was as great as the first. You want to do something bigger and better without destroying the characters or the story. There are so many fans out there that are so excited that “Napoleon Dynamite” is coming back.

Not only that, but the entire original cast is back to voice their characters, right?

Yeah, I’m really excited they got the original cast. The ensemble cast in “Napoleon Dynamite” really got close to each other. We all became good friends, so to be able to be on set with them again is like working with family. It really gives us the opportunity to participate even more in the creative process.

What did you think of Pedro when you saw him in animated form for the first time?

(Laughs) Well, my head doesn’t look like a football and it does look kind of goofy, but that’s fine. I just kept thinking, “This is really sweet!” Seeing Pedro in cartoon form is still really surreal. I’m really excited about the show and can’t wait to do more episodes.

“Napoleon Dynamite” is joining heavy hitters like “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy” on Fox’s Sunday night lineup. Is there any pressure?

(Laughs) Well, on a grand scale, I think each show is really different even though they are all animations. They each are in their own genre. To be a part of that is just amazing. I hope we can dominate like those show have done – for at least 50 years or as long as I’m alive!

The last time I interviewed you, you said it was important for you to distance yourself from your role as Pedro so directors wouldn’t automatically think of you as “that guy from ‘Napoleon Dynamite.’” Do you think reprising your role might take you in the wrong direction as an actor?

There is a great divide when you get into this business. You can work on things that are artsy and build on story and character or you can do things that are popular and just keep playing the same thing. But let’s look at this with perspective: Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin played one specific character in all their films and they were very funny. When I get roles like Pedro I think about the premise of the story and where can I take the character. If it’s heartfelt, then people are going to want to know the story and the character. I still want to be an actor that can do lots of different things. I’ve been doing that ever since “Napoleon Dynamite” came out.

What can we anticipate from an animated version of Pedro?

Well, we get to see more and explore more with Pedro and the rest of the characters. You also get to see more of the world they live in. In an animated series things can blow up and people can die, but they’ll be back the next week.

Have you ever played tetherball against Jon Heder? Who won?

(Laughs) No, I haven’t, but I’m sure he’d probably win because I’ve heard he has some mad skills.

What is the coolest piece of “Napoleon Dynamite” memorabilia you own?

I have this “Napoleon Dynamite” poster from the U.K. that is very different. I also have the two original “Vote for Pedro” t-shirts from the movie. I hope to give them to my kids one day if that day ever comes.

Meet Uggie, the scene-stealing Jack Russell terrier who has become the talk of Tinseltown since putting his paw print on “The Artist,” a French silent film that is garnering its own Oscar buzz. Earlier this year, Uggie was featured in the film “Water for Elephants.”

While Uggie is not eligible to get nominated for an Oscar, that hasn’t stopped fans of the film to start a “Consider Uggie” campaign on Facebook in an attempt to get the furry performer a nod for his work in “The Artist.”

During an exclusive interview with me, dog trainer and Uggie’s owner Omar von Muller talked about what it’s been like to have Uggie as part of his family and why he thinks his pup deserves a shot at Oscar gold.

How did Uggie come to be your dog?

A friend of mine called me. They were going to take him to the pound because they just couldn’t handle him anymore. I wanted to get him out of that situation. I had him for a couple of days and fell in love with him and decided to keep him.

Was there a specific point during that time when you realized that Uggie had talent and could be trained to do some incredible things?

At the time all I saw was that he was a very active and intelligent dog. That’s really all you need to train a dog to do a lot of things. How far he was going to go, I didn’t know.

Did it come natural for him?

Yes. Jack Russells are very smart. They are very energetic animals. He used that to his advantage.

There are many routes an aspiring actor or actress would take to get into Hollywood. So, how does a dog make it?

I have an animal agency and work with a lot of animals inHollywood. We’ve been doing this for years. If I’m in the industry, my dogs are in it, too.

I read Uggie spent some time with lead actor Jean Dujardin before production for “The Artist” even began. Is that something you always try to do?

Yeah, we try to do that as much as possible with our dogs. When we did “Water for Elephants” Uggie spend quite a bit of time with the actors. We took Uggie to Jean’s house to meet him. He was a natural with the dog. He learned the commands and was able to keep Uggie’s attention. There were scenes where we couldn’t be close to Uggie, so Jean was able to do everything himself.

Do you think animal performers like Uggie realize when they are filming a movie that they are doing something special that a normal animal doesn’t do?

Yeah, I think so. Dogs love the attention. Something I do with my dogs that a lot of animal trainers don’t do is that I let my dogs get pet by everyone on the set. A lot of trainers when they go onto a set they’ll be like, “Don’t touch my dog. Don’t look at my dog.” But I like to have my dogs totally happy with everyone around them no matter who it is. I let them touch the dogs, play with them and socialize.

What is life like for Uggie now that he is famous?

He is actually next to me right now just playing around and chewing on a bone. I have other dogs with me, too. We’re all just a big happy family. We do the movies because it’s fun for them and they get a lot of exercise.

What have you thought about the campaign to get Uggie an Oscar nomination?

I think it’s great. We’re really thrilled people are thinking that. I think it’s about time dogs get recognized. People don’t realize how much work it is to train a dog.

If he was to win an Oscar sometime in his career, do you think they would make the statue out of milkbone?

(Laughs) That would be fine! It would be fine if he ate it.

If Uggie could speak, what do you think he would say about Hollywood?

He would probably say, “How come I don’t get residuals!?”

“Everything was new to me back then,” Hernández, 14, told me during an interview for his new movie “The Sitter” starring Jonah Hill (“Superbad”). “I got very excited. I wanted to see if I could win another one.”

In “The Sitter,” Hernández plays Rodrigo, a foreign exchange student who is one of three young kids college student Noah Griffith (Hill) is coaxed into babysitting. The babysitting gig turns into an adventure through Manhattan when Noah is invited to a party and takes the kids along for the ride.

During our interview, Hernández, who is originally from El Salvador, talked about working with Hill and about another movie he’s already completed starring Mel Gibson.

How did you get involved in acting?

I started when I was about seven or eight years old. I wasn’t shy. I did plays. I read with enthusiasm. I really liked acting. It was a lot of fun. My parents love watching movies. I used to watch a lot with them. Sometimes I would try to act them out. I would be “Superman” or someone like that. I learned a lot from watching movies.

Landing your very first audition must’ve been pretty exciting. You must’ve thought, “I’m going to land everything I audition for!”

Well, there are moments when you get [roles] and other times when you don’t and think you’re never going to get anything else. But eventually you learn and keep working and having a really good time.

How did your role in “The Sitter” come to you?

I read the script and went to an audition. There were like 1,000 kids going out for that part. I was like, “Oh, wow, this is really a big opportunity!” I did about three auditions before they narrowed it down and finally said, “Yeah, we like you!” I was amazed I got it.

How would you describe your character Rodrigo?

He’s mean. He’s a very angry boy. He’s always making fun of people. He talks really loud and curses. It was really fun to play him.

What was it like to work with Jonah Hill?

You see people in movies and you think, “Wow, if I was ever to meet him, what would I say?” So to actually work with him was great. When you talk with him he’s a really nice guy and he makes you laugh. He’s a really talented guy. I learned a lot from him.

What did Jonah teach you about comedy?

Comedy is really challenging because one little beat can change a whole joke. You have to know when to stop and when to say something and whether to use a low or high-pitched voice. He taught me a lot about improvising. He’s really good at that.

What Jonah Hill movies do you like?

I love “Superbad.” I think that was a really unique film. Oh, and “Get Him to the Greek.” That was a really funny film. I thought whenever I would meet Jonah, I was just going to start laughing because I’d remember him in that film.

As your career continues, what kind of roles do you hope to get a chance to do?

I’ve done a comedy, so now I’d really want to try drama. I love using emotions and bringing that to life. But mostly, I want to get more experience acting.

Speaking of getting more experience, you’ve also shot an action movie with Mel Gibson called “How I Spent My Summer Vacation,” which will hopefully hit theaters next year.

Yeah, we shot the film in Mexico. It was a really big role for me. Working with Mel was great. I learned from one of the best. He truly showed me how to act. He was a really fun guy. It was awesome watching him work. He knows so much. He taught me so many things.

You’re 14 years old. Do you still need a babysitter?

No. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever had a babysitter.

If you needed one, what actor or actress would you pick?

Um, probably someone funny like [actor] Mike Meyers.

You’re supposed to say someone like Scarlett Johansson.

Oh, no. I probably wouldn’t be doing my homework if she was my babysitter.

How does it feel to be the only Spanish-speaking Muppet? Does it give you a sense of pride?

Si, I am very proud to be the first Spanish-speaking Muppet, okay.  But in truth, I only speak a little Spanish, okay. I can say “hola” and I can say “adios.” What more do you need? You see, my mama, she never taught me to speak Spanish. We were too busy dodging the fishing nets off Majorca.

Have you ever tried to teach any of the other Muppets Spanish? How did that go?

I don’t understand a thing any of the Muppets are saying, okay. They all speak with funny accents, except for the Swedish Chef. He makes sense to me, even though I have no idea what he is talking about. Once I tried to teach Miss Piggy to speak Spanish, but it sounded like Pig Latin to me. Unbelievable! But this is all okay, okay. You see when the Muppets go to other countries, we get dubbed. We talk and someone else’s voice comes out of our mouths. This is very strange, okay.

If it’s not too painful, please tell us what really happened between you and Seymour the Elephant?

You are a real fan, okay. Either this, or you really need to get some hobbies because you are spending way too much time thinking about the Muppets. Seymour, for those who aren’t as crazy as you, was my sidekick on a show we did called “Muppets Tonight!” We were hilarious, but then he decided to go solo. Last I heard he was a juggling gondolier in one of the Cirque du Soliel shows. I wonder if they’re hiring?

What did you think about Statler and Waldorf’s criticism of the group effort on “Dancing with the Stars” last week when you performed “Life’s a Happy Song?” How was your experience on the show?

These old guys, I like them. They say what everybody else is thinking, okay. When they make fun of the Muppets, is very funny. When they make fun of me, not so much. I had the great time on “Dancing with the Stars.” The show needs a good salsa dancer. As a King Prawn I was made for salsa. Next season, I think they will have me on as a celebrity contestant. You are important. Tell them to do this, okay?

Tell me the first thing that comes into your mind when I say the following word: Tapas.

Dios mio! Tapas is how I lost my cousin Victorio. He went too close to an all-you-can-eat Tapas seafood buffet. Is very sad. I need to compose myself. (Sobs) I’m fine. Next question, okay.

What kind of policies would you like to see implemented to fix our broken immigration system and do you think that can happen without offering a path to citizenship? Just kidding. Who does your hair?

Yes. I would. And no, I don’t.  Since I don’t understand your question, I thought I would return the favor with my answer. As for my hair, I do it myself. Can’t you tell?

You are a very attractive crustacean and I know you did very well with the ladies before you got engaged. Any advice for the single guys out there looking for their own Queen Prawn?

Hold on, engaged!?  Dios mio! Who says I am engaged, okay? I am not engaged! I am available! That is right, ladies, I, Pepe the King Prawn, am ready to party and make with the romance anytime day or night. Don’t believe what you have heard about me being engaged! Who makes up these rumors!? Unbelievable! Call now before all my available dates are taken. What kind of womens do I like? Well, I like my women the way I like my salsa, okay?  Hot, spicy and just a little chunky.

“I was not a ‘Twilight’ fan,” Maestro, 33, admitted during an interview with me to talk about her role as Carmen Denali, a vampire who is a cousin to Edward Cullen (Rob Pattinson) and his family. “But you do your research and you just do it.”

In “Breaking Dawn,” the fourth installment of the series, which has been split into two parts, the Denali clan is invited to the wedding of Edward and Bella (Kristen Stewart). Maestro will reprise her role in “Part 2” in November 2012.

During our interview, Maestro, who has starred in such films as “Tango,” “The Motorcycle Diaries,” and the 2007 remake of “Poseidon,” talked about what it takes to become a vampire and how one of her songs ended up on the film’s soundtrack.

You weren’t a fan of the series before, so did you become one after you were cast?

Well, I became an actress that does her homework. (Laughs) You get so much information from the books. [Author] Stephenie Meyer is so thorough with character development, so it’s very useful to have all her text and description of the characters.

What does it take to become a vampire?

The costume and contact lenses are just so specific that it helps out a lot. The white makeup also helps because we’re a little pale. When you have such drastic changes in makeup and costume, becoming the character is a lot easier.

Since there are three movies before this one, how do you confront your role as a new character to the series?

We had to do the research – read the novels and watch the movies – but I think “Breaking Dawn” is a lot different than the other books. It’s more mature and intimate. Bill Condon is a director that is more focused on the acting and the relationships between the characters. It felt like we were doing a movie that connected to the others, but one that was more specific in a way. Being a new character is like going to a new school. You have to try to maintain your own autonomy and your own personality.

Were you disappointed when you found out Carmen doesn’t have any special powers?

I was so disappointed! (Laughs) But we had a running joke with some of the actors. We said Carmen has the power of dance. So, whenever the Volturi were coming to get us, Carmen would break into choreography right away.

Not many people know you’re also a musician and that one of your songs is on the film’s soundtrack. That must be a nice bonus.

Yeah, I have an album coming out next year and one of my songs was chosen by Bill Condon be on the soundtrack. It’s called “Llovera” (“It Will Rain”). It’s a song in Spanish. It’s the only Spanish song that has ever been in both the film and soundtrack. They actually chose a very beautiful moment in the film to play the song, which is during the honeymoon.

I’ve heard about doing crazy things when you’re in love, but as a woman can you identify with Bella’s wish for Edward to make her a vampire?

I think so. I think we’ve all been through moments like that where you change your life for the love of your life or someone you think is the love of your life at that specific moment in time. Sometimes, you can forget about who you are in a relationship. But you can also be inspired by the person you are with to become something you always knew you wanted to become. The admiration you have for the other person makes you want to become a higher form of yourself. I think that’s what happens in this story between Bella and Edward. I don’t think she loses herself to Edward’s world. I think she realizes who she really is when she meets him. One can only hope the person you love will make you the best version of yourself.

“Tango” is still one of my favorite dance movies ever. So, do you get a chance to dance at the wedding?

I get to dance a little with [actor] Christian Camargo. Every time there is a dance sequence I always want to get in. I love to dance so much. It’s one of my guilty pleasures in life and my hobby.

You’ve been pretty busy this year with two other feature films. As an actress, is it more rewarding to star in a film like “Breaking Dawn” that has such a major following or does the independent work you do give you the same fulfillment?

Well, I love doing independent films. I don’t want to generalize, but most of the time independent films are more focused on acting I enjoy doing better. On the other hand, “Twlight” had a huge reach. I’m just really enjoying that part of it. Then, just having a song in the film that is so precious to me gives me a creative outlet. It’s like a baby of mine in the film. I’m very fulfilled because of my music in it. I think it’s quite interesting to have both at the same time. It’s quite a combination that doesn’t happen very often.

After this film, we are going to see you in “Savages” directed by Oliver Stone. What was that experience like working with someone as highly-regarded as him?

It’s such a fantastic film based on this incredible book by Don Winslow. It was such a treat to be directed by Mr. Oliver Stone. I play Benicio del Toro’s wife in the film, so all my scenes are with him. That was a wonderful experience. I can’t wait to see how the film turns out. It has a fantastic ensemble cast. It’s been a really interesting year between “Twilight,” my music and Oliver’s film. Such different project from very different natures. Each of them are very fulfilling in their own way.

In 1989, Diaz was nominated for an Academy Award for his makeup work on the film “Dad” starring Jack Lemmon. He earned a second Oscar nomination in 1995 for “My Family” (“Mi Familia”). Other movies credited to his name include “Casino,” “Heat,” “Training Day” and “The Expendables.”

In “Immortals,” Diaz was assigned to develop the look for Mickey Rourke’s character King Hyperion and for all the Titan characters. “Immortals” tells the story of Theseus (Henry Cavill), a mortal man chosen by Zeus to lead a war against King Hyperion, who has his sights set on destroying humanity.

During an exclusive interview with me, Diaz talked about how the makeup industry has changed over the last three decades and what kind of work he did on Rourke in the makeup chair to make King Hyperion come to life.

You’ve been in your line of work for 30 years. Have the type of makeup artists that join this field changed over that time?

Yeah, at first when I was in makeup school, I saw a lot of young girls who were into beauty makeup. I was kind of intimidated by these girls. It was kind of like they were playing Barbies. Within a year, they were nowhere around and I was still striving and trying to do my best work.

Are you always looking to challenge yourself and do something you’ve never done before?

Yeah, in the course of my career I’ve gone through stages. Initially, in the late 70s and early 80s, it was a lot of blood and guts kind of stuff. Then, I went into more character-orientated makeup and age-transformations. Then I went through a tattoo phase. I did a lot of tattoos for about 10 years. It was actually the only kind of work I was getting for a while.

I would have never guessed creating tattoos for the movies was such a specialized skill.

Well, “Zoot Suit” was the first movie I was asked to do tattoos for film. I also did “American Me” and “Blood in Blood Out” back in the early 90s. I recruited some ex-cons that were tattoo artists in prison so I could bring that authenticity to the design. I was around real tattoo artists all the time and utilized their expertise.

What was it like having Mickey Rourke in your makeup chair for “Immortals?”

I’ve known Mickey since 1979’s “Heaven’s Gate.” I always try to help him out with some of his acting stuff. He’s a method actor so I will treat him like a boxer sometimes. I would sit him down, slap him on the cheek and tell him, “Go get em’, champ” just to get him hyped up. We worked really well together. It went beyond makeup. I was sometimes an acting coach – somebody he could rely on and trust on the set. He likes to rely on makeup, hair and wardrobe a lot to help develop or discover the character.

How did you help him find his character in “Immortals” through the makeup process?

Well, we met early on with the director (Tarsem Singh) and he talked about how he thought Mickey’s character should have some facial scars that were created from a ritualistic scarring using a crab claw to cut the flesh. In the meantime, Mickey asked me to put together an assortment of hairstyles and facial hair looks. Once he walked in front of the camera in full makeup, hair and wardrobe, everybody was pleased with the look of King Hyperion.

You’ve seen some of the movies you’ve worked on in your career remade in recent years like “Fright Night” and “The Thing.” What’s your take on remaking movies that relied so heavily on makeup getting more of a CGI makeover the second time around?

Yeah, they also did “My Bloody Valentine” a few years ago, too. On “Fright Night,” I think it’s a great film and I’m really proud of the work we did on that. I don’t think the CGI stuff in “The Thing” can surpass anything we did with the original. The effects we did in front of the camera for that movie were just the best.

After roles in comedies like “Observe & Report” and “30 Minutes or Less,” it seems like Peña is getting the hang of the techniques and timing that can trigger laughter. Just ask Peña’s 3-year-old son, who thinks his daddy is the funniest man on the planet.

“Whenever I say the word ‘poo poo butt’ he thinks that’s just way too funny,” Peña told me during an interview for his new comedy “Tower Heist.” “He’s like, “Oh, did you just say poo poo butt again?!’ He thinks I’m the coolest dude ever because I say poo poo butt.”

While “Tower Heist” doesn’t boast poo poo jokes, Peña is doing all he can to get the same kind of laugh-out-loud reaction from moviegoers. In the film, he plays Enrique Dev’reaux (AKA the Puerto Rican Mohican), a newly hired bellboy at a high-rise New York City hotel who teams up with his fellow employees to steal back the money taken from them by a crooked Wall Street investor.

During our interview, Peña, 35, talked about the two men who inspired his character Enrique and what he thinks about Eddie Murphy as a comedian.

So, I got the Puerto Rican Mohican on the phone. That has a nice ring to it.

Yeah, that was actually Brett [Ratner’s] idea. I had something else, but he came up with a much better idea for that.

“Tower Heist” marks your second comedy this year after “30 Minutes or Less.” I’m guessing after you did “Observe & Report” and some episodes of “Eastbound and Down” the comedy bug bit you.

Yeah, for sure. I always wanted to get into comedy. I remember when I first signed with [my talent agency], I told them I had a dream of doing comedy. I didn’t know if I was good at it, but I definitely wanted to try. They did get me a couple of auditions with directors.

So, have you found yourself getting funnier over the years?

I don’t know about that. Since I’ve had a kid, dude, I will literally do anything to make that little son of a gun laugh.

What do you do to make him laugh?

I kind of do this one little voice of – God, I forgot the little red guy’s name.

Elmo.

Yeah, Elmo! I do this little Elmo voice that he just absolutely loves.

What was it about your character Enrique Dev’reaux that you liked so much?

Well, I remember when I was doing the movie “World Trade Center,” and I would go to this coffee shop around the neighborhood I was staying. There was this guy at the coffee shop that would always be talking and talking and talking. I’d be trying to order a coffee and he’d be talking and talking every morning. He’d be like (in a New York accent), “Yo, that’s what I’m talking about. Know what I’m sayin’? Know what I’m sayin’?” He would do all that talking and would literally say nothing.  I thought that would be an awesome character to portray. Some of the character, though, wa also based on Brett, like his energy and his vibe. It was cool to mesh the two characters.

You’ve done that before where you take someone you’ve met in your life and create a character out of their personality. Is that something you’re always paying attention to – the people you meet on a daily basis?

Yeah, I mean, if they’re bigger than life and real I do. I feel like I’m a little bit more of a conservative person. Those kinds of characters are interesting to me because they’re not like me. I feel it’s really cool to portray that. It doesn’t always happen. But I do catch myself looking at people and thinking, “Whoa, dude, that’s crazy! How do they get to be like that?” I’m just like a kid interested in imitating grown-ups.  I had this favorite uncle. His name was Narsico. He would was one of the funniest guys I’ve ever met in my life. I definitely would imitate him as a kid.

You’ve worked with some big-name comedians in the past like Will Ferrell and Seth Rogen. What was it like being on set with someone as iconic as Eddie Murphy?

Well, first of all, I think Eddie is a fantastic actor. He’s been doing it forever and I think he’s paved the way for a lot of people and changed the game around with “Beverly Hills Cop” and all those things. It’s kind of hard not to be in awe with this guy while he’s doing his thing. Of course, I have to concentrate and do my own thing, but while you’re shooting you realize, “Wow, this guy is a star for a reason.” He’s so talented. He does what he does and does it so well.

What would you say your favorite Eddie Murphy movie is?

Shit, that’s a tough one. Um, I would have to say [his stand up specials] “Delirious” and “Raw.”

How do you think he’s going to do hosting the Oscars in a few months?

I can’t wait. I think it’s going to be an event. I think it has all the potential to be something completely memorable. Brett’s said it before, but all the best hosts have been comedians, like Bob Hope and Johnny Carson and those guys. I think the sky’s the limit with Eddie Murphy.

“Tower Heist” has a few timely themes with a story centered on a white collar crime that affects a group of hard-working people. How much of that do you think will resonate with the audience or is it more about just having fun with the characters and situations?

No, I think that is another reason I wanted to do this movie. You have the characters that you can really relate to and really love. I think that’s what makes a really cool comedy. If you didn’t have that, I think it would still be a cool comedy. Would it be as good and would you get the talent you wanted? I don’t know. I definitely think it’s an asset with all the shit that’s going on right now.

If you ever found yourself in a situation where the livelihood of yourself and your family were in jeopardy, do you think you might be able to knock over a bank or a convenient store to put food on the table?

I think I would just work or have something saved up. I don’t think I would ever do that, to be honest with you. That’s almost like taking other people’s money. But in TV Land and Movie Land, absolutely.

OK, so you don’t have to admit anything to me that will have the FBI knocking on your door, but have you ever stolen anything before? A pack of gum? Cable?

(Laughs) I did, man, when I was a kid, but I got caught. I was stealing a Snickers and the guy was like, “What are you doing?!” and I was like, “I don’t know! I’ll buy it!” That was the last time I did anything like that. I think it’s good for me to feel bad even for attempting to do something like that. I don’t think it’s in my nature.

Well, have you ever had anything stolen from you before?

Yeah, well, I remember in my neighborhood in Chicago, I lived on 16th and California and it wasn’t the nicest of neighborhoods. I remember having my first bike for exactly one hour. I went to the park and this group of big kids jumped me and took my bike. I was like, “Aw, man. Where’s my bike at?”

How difficult was it to watch Ben Stiller smash up that Ferrari in the movie and did you get a whack at it like your character wanted?

Nah, I tried to get a whack at it. I love that they kept that line in the movie. I was like, “Yo, let me take a whack at dat!” That was one of my favorite scenes to do in the movie. When you read it, it definitely seems like a tough scene to pull off. I think it was a really important scene and Ben did a good job. I didn’t think you had to get too jokey with it, but at the same time he was really able to bring it and really say F-U to the guy.

I don’t know about you, but with Matthew Broderick in that scene, all I could think about was the similar scene in “Ferris Buller’s Day Off” where Matthew, once again, witnesses the demise of another red Ferrari.

Yeah, I was actually quoting Matthew Broderick to Matthew Broderick. For too long apparently because he told me (in a surprisingly dead-on impersonation of Matthew Broderick), “Michael, OK, you can stop now, Michael.”

What did you think about the idea that Universal had about making “Tower Heist” available On Demand only three weeks after it hits theaters. Do you think we could see this happening with movies in the future?

Oh, man, that question is way above my pay grade.

Well, as a movie fan, would you like to see new theatrical-released movies at home?

Ah, I’m old-school about that. I love going to the theater. I go to movie theaters all the time. I’m a huge fan of it. It’s a weird thing watching movies with strangers. It’s such an experience for me. I think sometimes you have to keep doing that. There is a certain mystique about watching movies in a theater. They seem bigger than life.

Part of the reason Weitz has held the film so close to his heart is because he comes from a Latino background himself. His grandmother, Mexican actress Lupita Tovar, starred in the Spanish version of “Dracula” in 1931.

“It’s part of the reason I did the film and why it sticks with me,” Weitz told me during an exclusive interview for the DVD release of “A Better Life.”

“A Better Life” stars Demián Bichir (TV’s “Weeds”) as Carlos Galindo, an undocumented day laborer working to provide for his son Luis (José Julian) while living in Los Angeles.

I caught up with Weitz, 41, who was on his way to Bakersfield, California to accept an award from United Farm Workers of America co-founder Dolores Huerta.

What is it going to mean to receive an award from someone like Dolores Huerta for your work on “A Better Life?”

For this movie to make an impact on someone like her is extraordinary. She was fighting the good fight when it was dangerous and unfashionable to take on that kind of political cause. It’s an amazing seal of approval for the film. I am beyond honored to be receiving it.

HB56, a new immigration law making it legal for police officers to ask people for their immigration status, just passed in Alabama. What are your initial thoughts on the bill?

I think it’s disgusting. I think it’s a national shame. I think it shows how little understanding politicians have of the immigration issue. They’re acting like the 11 million undocumented people who are living in the shadows right now are taking jobs away from people. What they’re actually doing are taking the jobs nobody else is willing to do. What’s going to happen is that the fruits are going to rot in the field. Anytime these jobs are opened up to the average American, they don’t want to do it. These jobs are vital to our economy and generally done by immigrants from Mexico or Central America. The affect of this act is to tear apart families, frighten people who for the most part are good, church-going, hard-working people, and to enact federal policy as state law. There is no question the immigration system is broken. I don’t think anybody on either side of the aisle thinks everything hunky dory. The answer is actually something more like what President Regan did in ’86, which was to provide a path towards naturalization. The plan was never fully carried through. When this recession ends, we’re going to realize a lot of people we’ve been kicking out would be really helpful to us. These people are working in our healthcare industry and our agriculture industry.

What do you think is going to happen when fear overtakes these undocumented people inAlabama? I mean, parents are already pulling their kids from school. People aren’t showing up for work.

I think what’s going to happen is they’ll move on to another state. Rather than have the opportunity to integrate people into society, Alabama is pushing more people into the shadows, making them more desperate and exploited. In 1986, when people got a path toward citizenship, they had more incentive to invest in their schools, to buy houses, and to start their own businesses. The Center for American Progress has estimated that if these undocumented immigrants were naturalized, they could pump $1.5 trillion into the economy. It’s really important to acknowledge that you’re not going to remove all these people from this country. The estimated cost to do this is $200 billion. There’s never been a round up like that before. The only thing to compare it to would be the internment of Japanese Americans (in 1942) and that was on a much smaller scale. It can’t be done.

President Obama recently called immigration reform an “economic imperative.” However, three years since he took office we’re still waiting for a concrete plan. Do we need new leadership or can the Obama administration do something to finally get things moving forward?

I don’t think we need a change of administration. It’s obvious the Republicans aren’t going to do anything for immigrants. Two things can happen: Either the Obama campaign can decide to get tough now and put its money where its mouth is or they can do what it seems like their doing, which is play it softly hoping that a second term will allow them to enact reform later. Now, the question is whether Obama will be able to get the same voter base he did in 2008. We’ll have to see. There was something like a six million person shift in votes for Obama in the Latino community. How many of those people are going to come a vote again, who knows?

Were you prepared to answer questions about immigration reform when you decided to direct “A Better Life?”

I wasn’t really ready to take on questions in a political fashion. At the beginning, I just thought it was a great script. Then, I started going to conferences like the NCLR (National Council of La Raza) and the CHCI (Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute) and realized I had to start to learn my stuff. The more I learned, the more I realized the film – although it’s not political at all in its content – was timely with the issues at hand, whether its something about the Dream Act or dividing families or the faulty immigration processing system. I’ve been unable to depart from this movie in the way I’ve been able to with any other film. This one has really stuck with me. It’s good because I really wanted my career to turn a corner in some way, but I really didn’t know how. This movie provided that.

Not many people know you come from a Latino background yourself. Did that help connect you to this story in some way?

Yeah, it did. I was part of the first generation of my family not to speak Spanish, which is very much like the kid (Luis) in the movie. He lost touch with his roots and so had I. The movie was an excuse to learn Spanish. I felt the right way to make the movie was to have a bilingual set, crew and cast. It’s been a really invigorating experience. It’s made me understand Los Angeles better. It’s made me feel like a better citizen. I’m still learning Spanish. My grandma came to America when she was 17. She still lives here. She is 101 years old. She still has her Mexican citizenship. She’s been a resident alien for 84 years because she was proud of where she came from.

What do you think about Demián Bichir’s chances of earning an Academy Award nomination for his role?

It would be hard for me to handicap it, but I just know it’s rare for a movie to be carried on the shoulders of one actor like Demián. It is a wonderful thing when the Academy recognizes someone who is relatively little known in this country. I know we’re in the hunt, but we’re going to have to work hard to get ourselves a spot. If he gets a nomination, I think it would be a really wonderful thing for the Hispanic community and people who really care about this pressing issue.

Estevez, 49, chuckles at the obviously biased albeit endearing admiration of his work as a director, most recently in the moving drama “The Way,” his fifth feature film behind the camera and third to include his father in the cast.

“I didn’t pay him to say that!” Estevez says.

They’re high praises from proud papa who first starred in one of his son’s films in the 1996 family melodrama “The War at Home” where Sheen played the father of Estevez’s character, a Vietnam veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Following “War,” Sheen was part of the star-studded cast Estevez directed in the fictionalized 2006 Robert F. Kennedy assassination drama “Bobby.”

In the sincere and self-effacing drama “The Way,” Sheen plays Thomas Avery, an American ophthalmologist who travels to France after the death of his son Daniel (Estevez) and decides to honor him by completing a pilgrimage (known as the Camino de Santiago or the Way of St. James), which will lead him to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain. It’s the type of modest journey, Estevez says, he wishes he had time to do more of.

“There is a part of me that still wants to go out and grab a backpack and unplug – not take a cellphone or even a camera and just get out there and experience the world and travel,” Estevez says. “I have yet to do that, but someday I hope.”

Unlike Estevez, Thomas isn’t necessarily lacing up his hiking boots with much eagerness. The Camino is a crusade he is willing to take, however, to feel closer to his son, who had become more distant over the years. As Thomas, Sheen brings richness to the character and his inspired odyssey across Europe. While the open landscape is a major reason the trek feels genuine, it’s Sheen’s ability to provide audiences a reason to care about Thomas and his loss that make the film so convincing. Esteves’ passion for storytelling is also evident, although the script lacks depth in the supporting characters who join Thomas on his road trip.

In “The Way,” which debuted at the Toronto Film Festival last year and opens in San Antonio this Friday, Estevez and his minimal cast and crew got the opportunity to do some walking on the Camino during production. The road is travelled by tens of thousands each year for various reasons, including paying penance for a crime, for sport, and for spiritual growth. The divine powers of the Camino are something Sheen enthusiastically believes in.

“The whole route is filled with numerous milagros (miracles),” Sheen says. “I experienced some personally, and we experienced them as a community.”

Sheen even includes the making of “The Way” and the subsequent and expansive media tour across the U.S. as an act of God that has helped spread the faith-based message the film effectively presents.

“We started in San Francisco six weeks ago on a bus and we brought the film all the way across to New York City,” Sheen says. “Who would have believed this idea that began in Emilio’s heart three years ago would be where it is today?  The miracles just keep happening.”

“We spoke Spanish at home, listened to salsa and ate rice and beans,” Colón told me during an exclusive interview last week. “Then, my parents would also take me to Civil War reenactments. I had these two really amazing cultures that are now so much a part of me.”

While she can’t remember “when the acting bug bit [her],” Colón knows it’s all she has wanted to do her entire life. After high school, she studied business for a short time at Clayton State University, but auditioning for roles always took precedent. Her big break in the industry came when she was cast in the remake of the 1984 musical “Footloose.”

In the remake, which opens at theaters Oct. 14, Colón plays Rusty Rodriguez, a teenager living in a small town in Tennessee where rock ’n’ roll and dancing has been banned. In the original, Rusty was played by Sarah Jessica Parker (“Sex and the City”).

During our interview, Colón talked about how she made Rusty her own character and how she was able to learn all the dance moves for the movie without a background in dance.

What was your reaction when you found out you earned a role in the remake of “Footloose?”

I’m not going to lie, I yelled in my living room. That week, I had three auditions – one with the casting director and two with [director] Craig Brewer. [Craig] called me himself on a Saturday morning and said, “I have two questions for you. How do you pronounce your name? And would you like to play Rusty Rodriguez?” I was ecstatic. That was on a Saturday. By Wednesday, we were already rehearsing.

Did you go back and revisit the original movie before you shot your version or did you want to start from a clean slate?

I was very aware of [the original]. I had seen it so many times over the years. I didn’t revisit it to create my character, but I already knew Rusty. I knew what kind of girl she was. I wanted to keep the essence that Sarah Jessica Parker brought to Rusty. I wanted to keep certain characteristics of her personality and then add my own aspects as well.

Do you worry people might compare you to Sarah?

I think it’s inevitable that people will do that, but it doesn’t worry me at all. I’m actually honored they would even compare me to her.

What is the auditioning process like for you at this point of your career?

I try to become my character and I get competitive with myself and bring that to the audition. I guess it takes a certain type of person to go into an audition room over and over again and just do it and not worry about being judged. It’s not easy or daunting. It just comes natural to me.

Talk about your background in dance before you took on this role. Did you have any moves you brought to the set?

(Laughs) Of course I had my own moves! I was not a professional dancer, unless dancing in the living room with your family counts. When I started on the film they asked me if I could dance and I said yes. Then I started working with a choreographer, who was so wonderful and patient. I had a month to prepare and worked very hard at it.

It sounds like you had to learn quite a bit of dancing in a short amount of time.

Yes, absolutely, but it was so much fun! We all became such good friends. It was like learning dance moves with my friends. It never felt too much like work. We just had a great time.

Where do you see your career going from here and what kinds of roles will you pursue?

Well, I hope to continue acting in films. I just want to find roles that spark my interest. I’m not going to stick to one genre because as an actor I want to explore. I want something that moves me.