Tell Me a Question: Alexander Nevsky & The Black Rose

Today we chat with Russian bodybuilder turned actor and filmmaker Alexander Nevsky. Inspired by the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and Jean-Claude Van Damme, Nevsky became a champion natural bodybuilder and popular author. Seguing to television and film, Nevsky took control of his own destiny and moved to Los Angeles and has now starred, produced, written or directed a dozen films. His latest is Black Rose, a Los Angeles set thriller partnering a Russian police major with a local detective (Terminator 3's Kristanna Loken) as they track down a sadistic serial killer.

You're a champion bodybuilder and accomplished combat artist, what got you into both and what do you think helped contribute to your success? What is your training like now? 

I was a very skinny Moscow kid back in the 80's and started boxing after watching Rocky. I was an amateur boxer for several years but switched into bodybuilding because of Arnold in Conan The Destroyer. Bodybuilding was kind of illegal in USSR (it was called 'athletic gymnastic' and there were no official competitions at all at the time). Everything changed in the 90's and in 1993 Russian TV made a documentary about this new sport. I was chosen as a main star because I was 6'6" and 280 pounds already and I had a good story ('from zero to hero'). About 30 million people watched this documentary and suddenly I became famous overnight at just 21 years old. So you can credit classic Hollywood action movies for inspiring me a lot when I was a kid and Black Rose is my tribute to them. I'm still working out at least 5 times a week. I love bodybuilding and really think that I owe my success partly to this sport. My new book called Bodybuilding and Other Secrets of Success, half of it is autobiography and another half is my system of gaining muscles drug-free. It's my tenth book and it will be published in Russia/CIS this summer. I'm thinking about translating it into English as well.

You've written, produced and now directed films, how was the segue from Russia to America? What has been a key takeaway you perhaps didn't think of when first embarking on your cinematic journey? 

I become household name in Russia in 90s. I had my own TV show, I wrote hundreds of articles and several bestselling books, I was featured in Russian editions of GQ, Playboy, Men's Health, Muscle & Fitness and many others. Everything was great except one thing: movie business in ex-USSR collapsed completely. But I wanted to be in movies. That's why I moved to LA in 1999. I graduated from Moscow State University of Management (this education helped me later when I started to produce) but had to learn English and acting. I joined Lee Strasberg Acting Institute and went to English classes at UCLA Extension. It was tough to study it all at the same time in LA, I should've learn it in Moscow before. I made my brief Hollywood debut in 2001 (Walter Hill's Undisputed) and I did another film in 2002 (Red Serpent, co-starring the legendary Roy Scheider). In 2003 I wrote and produced Moscow Heat (co-starring the great Michael York), this film was a theatrical hit in Russia/CIS and was later sold to 30 countries including North America. Everything was easier after that.

I love that you have so many familiar faces in your films, Michael York, Robert Davi, Adrian Paul, Mattias Hues, a nice mix of acting class and genre faces. How do you go about casting your films? Any titles from the actors mentioned have an impact on your youth? 

You're absolutely right, I'm a fan of them all! I love The Three Musketeers movies with Michael York, Highlander TV series with Adrian Paul, Dark Angel/I Come In Peace and some martial arts classics with Matthias Hues, Die Hard and Predator 2 with Robert Davi. Regarding casting decisions: I always have to think how to market a future film and how to sell it. But just wait for Showdown in Manila - you'll see so many action stars, from Casper Van Dien and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa to Mark Dacascos and Don "The Dragon" Wilson!

With Black Rose and the upcoming Showdown in Manila, we get a welcome 80's throwback vibe with the mismatched partners and men on a mission motifs, what is your approach to old school stories in the modern age? 

I'm a big fan of classic 'old school' Hollywood action films. Black Rose was my directorial debut and I decided to mix some of my favorite genres in one movie (action, suspense, horror and even some comedy moments). It wasn't easy and I should thank my Director of photography Rudy Harbon, all cast and crew for the great job and support! I created the original story for Black Rose but the actual script was written by professional and experienced writers Brent Huff and George Saunders. My approach was to make a film that I want to watch myself. I was heavily involved in preproduction, production, postproduction, sales strategies/decisions, etc. and didn't have free time for months. But don't get me wrong - it was still really enjoyable all the way!

Sheldon Lettich Executive Produced Black Rose so you've clearly done your homework, which other filmmakers and actors would you like to work with in the future? 

Sheldon Lettich is a great guy and he's very good director, I love his classic films with JCVD (Double Impact especially) and hope we'll make another movie together. I'll be happy to work with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren and Wesley Snipes. I also would like to make a film with my friend and bodybuilding idol Ralf Moeller (he was great in Gladiator and Conan TV series). By the way, my beautiful Black Rose co-star Kristanna Loken was amazing and very supportive. Me and her should definitely work together again, don't you think?

And there you have it, a classic example of the Dammaged Goods ideal, pushing yourself and taking action! Thanks again to Mr. Nevsky for taking the time to talk with Dammaged Goods.

Keep up with all things Nevsky on his Twitter: @NevskyAlexandr and Instagram: @realalexnevsky

Wine Guys: Adrian Paul & Kurt Russell

I don't know how it happened but I've been wine tasting twice in the last few weeks. First it was in Malibu at the Wine Safari where you hang out with animals like horses, llamas and a giraffe then at Disney California Adventure Park during their Food and Wine Festival. April continues to be the time to get wine'd up as this Sunday, 4.10 at the Lorimar Winery in Temecula you can learn how to use a sword AND taste wines at Adrian Paul's The Sword Experience. Paul of course was the star of the hit syndicated show Highlander and starred in two feature films as Duncan MacCleod, cousin to Christopher Lambert's Connor. Living through the centuries as an immortal who battles others like him with decapitation as the only way to kill them. With the removal of the head comes the absorption of knowledge set to lightning and rain with a blaring rock soundtrack. For $350 bones, you can train with Paul for 4.5 hours while enjoying breakfast and lunch, a photo with the star and teacher, complimentary wine tasting and a free club membership. If that weren't enough, there's live music afterwards. Paul is taking The Sword Experience on the road, hitting Chicago, Houston, London, Stuttgart and Minneapolis to meet the fans and support his charity, The Peace Fund, which aims to Protect, Educate and Aid Children Everywhere.

Next Saturday, 4.16 at California Adventure Park you can meet movie legend Kurt Russell and hear him discuss his awesome career and passion for wine making. Apparently the star of Escape From New York, Big Trouble In Little China, Tombstone and Tango & Cash fell in love with the fermented drink while shooting Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof in wine country. Since then, the apprentice winemaker has created small batch boutique label Gogi that offers Goldie Chardonnay and Tiger Pinot Noir. I picked up a bottle of Tiger last weekend and can't wait to crack it open with friends on Friday night. For $199 you can kick back with Russell in the advertised informal 90 minute get-together. Through May you can attend demonstrations and meet the likes of Robert Irvine and Guy Fieri.

Support This! PEACE Fund Celebrity Poker Tournament

Ever since starting this ol' blog/online journal experiment, I've gotten to meet some of my cinematic heroes, attend conventions as press, set up a premiere, got invited to a premiere and now I can add cover a Celebrity Poker Tournament to the list. This past Saturday, The PEACE Fund hosted their 2nd Annual Celebrity Poker Tournament at Microsoft's swanky Playa Vista office where the likes of Adrian Paul, Carl Weathers and Lou Diamond Phillips stacked chips for charity. The PEACE Fund "focuses on small, under-funded and hard-working charities who are determined to make a positive difference to the lives of children living in extraordinary difficult circumstances". Last year the group teamed up with Wells Bring Hope and raised enough money to pay for two wells in West Africa where clean water is limited.

We arrived after the red carpet event but the tournament was in full swing and the playing room packed. I spotted host and founder Adrian Paul from Highlander nearly right away who was alternating hands of poker and speaking to guests, caught up briefly with The Carl Weathers, he's a great guy and I'm excited to see him pop up on new show The Colony. Glancing around the player's room I was looking for Patrick Kilpatrick from Best of the Best II, Death Warrant and Minority Report but didn't see him. Lou Diamond Philips was looking very into his game while Mekhi Phifer was just chilling outside taking a call. Sometimes I wonder how I end up munching on Doritos, sipping a cider (Rekorderlig from Sweden, delicious!), surrounded by all these people but hey, it was a fun time for a good cause. Find out more or donate HERE. Until next time, flop the river on the turn something something!

(Rough)Con-Man: Calgary Expo Friday

Coming at you live from beautiful, clean and crisp Calgary, Alberta Canada where cash doesn't tear, has holograms in it, the change is made from metal, the chocolate is real and delicious, people are super nice and don't honk in traffic and home to one heck of a show, the Calgary Expo.  Going on I believe it's 9th year, CE welcomes roughly 60,000 attendees over 4 days of programming.  It's held at the vast Stampede grounds next to the hockey rink for the Calgary Flames and site of a massive rodeo competition. When horses aren't in season it's host to huge events like the Expo.

It's a bit jarring as there's nothing super close to the Stampede besides a casino and train station.  The surrounding area is under heavy construction so you feel a bit remote upon entering.  Like Seattle's Emerald City Comicon, CE is spread out across its site so you have to make friends with the guide and map. There was badge pick up in the Grandstand then kids attractions in a tented pavilion, food trucks and giant balloons outside, the Boyce theater and stadium Corral for panels, Big Four building for vendors and food then the main hall BMO for a huge variety of exhibitors then yet another small section Palamino for autographs and more swag.  Phew!

I saw on Facebook that Michael and Jennifer Blanc Biehn flew out Thursday so we weren't going to be sharing a flight like Seattle, sadly.  Kim Coates and Mark Boone Junior from Sons of Anarchy, Barry Bostwick and Ricco Ross from Aliens were on board though.  Customs was a breeze and the officer told my lady that Lance Henriksen arrived the day before.  Our Con hotel this time is the lovely Sheraton eau Claire in downtown Calgary next to the river and starting point of CE's huge cosplay parade.  Anthony Daniels, the Sons of Anarchy and The Hobbit crews rode up front as hundreds of costumed con goers walked the streets up to the Stampede.

The show itself was a lot of fun but since we weren't staying nearby meant we were at the show for its duration as we were attending an event that evening.  8 hours of walking the floors, viewing panels and eating hot dogs gets a bit exhausting.  I underestimated the power of Adrian Paul and Highlander as the panel filled to capacity before we arrived.  A panel on Mark Rolston and Jeanette Goldstein was great as they reminisced on their time working on Aliens, with Jim Cameron and other roles in things like The Shawshank Redemption and Near Dark.  Co-star Henriksen came up for his deep method acting style and the only person Rolston ever saw give driven and genius writer/director Cameron shit on set, in a professional, for the good of the movie, sense.  I asked if they were surprised at being invited to conventions which Goldstein stated gave her anxiety at first but loves them and Rolston recently traveled to Australia and New Zealand so it wasn't a bad gig.

Next up was Bill Paxton who we saw last week at WonderCon.  Calgary marked his first professional signing and said his wife, accountant and children thanked us.  Rumor was God was charging $80 bucks to a pop to sign and hang out.  That's Richard Dean Anderson money!  His spotlight panel was hilarious and heartfelt as he talked about meeting James Cameron, his reaction to hearing the synopsis to The Terminator, Kevin Jarre's massive and detailed contribution to Tombstone, working on Apollo 13, viewing it at the White House and urinating in between Bill Clinton and Tom Hanx.  Great times.  They didn't announce where to go for questions so I missed out on asking what the making of Navy SEALs was like and if he made people call him by character nick name God during production.

To end the evening there was a separate event dubbed Middle Earth EXPOsed that was half tribute to WETA CEO Richard Taylor and half variety show featuring cast members from The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit.  It was laughs galore as the cast reminisced then partook in sword play lessons, sang for the audience and did some improv skits. Unannounced video tributes from Peter Jackson and Richard Armitage put the spotlight on Taylor who was on side stage making a radio contest winner up into an Orc through prosthetics, make up and costume.  The seats are small and cramped together in the Corral but it was a very fun event.

Tonight is Aliens EXPOsed with the biggest reunion of cast since they shot the film in 1986. Before that, some sight seeing and grubbing is on the agenda but I just looked outside and it's freaking snowing.  Oh Canada...

Workout of the Day: Comic-Con'do Edition II

It was a low key Comic-Con for me this year.  No way was I going to wake up at 4:00AM to get in line for Hall H.  Instead I found myself watching a marathon of Highlander on SyFy and hitting the gym for a day of Back and Triceps.  It was a typical superset affair, which is one exercise for Back then one for Triceps with no rest.  You move through your workout faster and your muscles get an alternate pump with each set.

1)  Wide Grip Chin Up/Bench Dip x 10-12/25 reps x 3 Sets
2)  Low Cable Row/Straight Bar Pushdown x 12/12 reps x 3 Sets
3)  Stiff Arm Pulldown/Lying Dumbbell Extension x 12/12 reps x 3 Sets

4)  Crunches/Hyper extensions on Swiss ball for abs and lower back.

One of the most common complaints people have is lower back pain.  They always confirm training abs but never train their back.  Then a light comes on that only training one side of your body makes it pull forward, stressing the back.  Foreheads...

5)  15 minutes on stationary bike while reading Con schedule

I was cleaned up and at the San Diego Convention Center by Noon where I saw Highlander star Adrian Paul signing autographs.  The line was pretty long on my first pass but coming back later there was a break and I got to meet him briefly and ask him about Dead Men Can't Dance, a little action flick he did in 1997 with Michael Biehn.

Maybe I should have told him I write for Dammaged Goods and went for a full interview...

Here's JCVD himself supersetting Chest and Back: