What could be better than running a toy store? How about running a magical one? Yeah, awesome! In the new movie, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, a 243-year-old toy store owner (Dustin Hoffman) is leaving his business to shy, insecure Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman). Will she be able to overcome her self-doubt and run the store, or will the 
stuffy accountant (Jason Bateman) spoil all the fun?
No, really, will she be able to? I don't know. I haven't seen it yet. (What's the point of being a writer if you don't get free press passes for advance screenings of movies? Sigh.) So I'll be right there with you experiencing this movie. If you see it over the weekend, drop a comment, and we can compare notes!
Oh, and I know you all want to help others. The good folks behind the movie are organizing a toy drive, and they're trying to set a world record for the most toys collected. So do some good, and help people out. Click here for more information.
And here's some more fun for you. Not only is Natalie Portman a beauty and a smartie--she went to an Ivy league school!--but she always picks cool roles for herself. Molly Mahoney should be no different. Read on for an exclusive interview with the actress.
Word: In the new movie, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, your character Molly Mahoney is a piano player. Do you play an instrument?
Natalie Portman: I learned the piano a bit for the movie and hope to continue (I've been lazy so far!). I really enjoyed it.
Word: The movie takes place in a magical toy store. What was your favorite toy when you were growing up?
Portman: I really liked making stuff out of clay and Plasticene. My mom and I would go to museums and then try and make stuff like what we saw. I also liked cutting my Barbies' hair and drawing on their faces.
Word: What was it like filming the movie?
Portman: It was really fun. We had kids and/or animals in every shot, so it was always unpredictable and exciting.
Word: How long did it take to film?
Portman: 3 months.
Word: Where did you get inspiration for your character?
Portman: My imagination.
Word: What was it like working with Dustin Hoffman?
Portman: He's hilarious. He always tries out new things and has great ideas for ways to make a scene more special. He's very caring and acted so lovingly toward me that it was easy to find our onscreen closeness.
Word: How closely does the movie follow the book?
Portman: I haven't read the book.
Word: Did you do your own stunts?
Portman: I didn't really have any.
Word: What was the best part about filming?
Portman: Getting to dance on bubble wrap!
Word: How did you become an actor?
Portman: I really liked performing and begged my parents to let me audition, since we lived in New York. They finally gave in, and luckily I got some jobs.
Word: When your character finds herself in charge of the toy store, she has a lot of self doubt. Do you ever have self doubt? If so, how do you deal with it?
Portman: I have lots of self-doubt. I get over it by reminding myself that everyone, even the most amazing people I know, all have moments like that and that it will only prevent me from doing the things I hope to do.
Word: Who has
been your favorite person to work with so far, and why? Who would you like to work with in the future?
Portman: I really liked working with Mike Nichols. He is so funny and smart and has lots of interesting stories and experiences to impart. I also loved working with everyone on Magorium--Zach Helm, the director, is super smart and easygoing. Dustin is always making you laugh and being really unique. Jason is hilarious and is also a great person. And little Zach [Mills] is so bright and curious and fun to be with.
Word: Do you like watching your own movies?
Portman: Not really. I get embarrassed and think how I could've been better.
Word: You've been in the new Star Wars movies, been a character on The Simpsons, and have even been nominated for an Oscar. How do you choose your roles?
Portman: I do what I think I might learn from, what will be a positive, interesting experience, and what people might enjoy watching!
Word: What is your all-time favorite movie, and why?
Portman: I love Days of Heaven. It's hard to explain why.
Word: If you couldn't be an actor, what would you want to do?
Portman: Maybe a farmer? or a doctor? or an astronaut? or a mom? I don't know!
Word: What was your favorite subject in school, and why did you like it?
Portman: I liked English a lot because I love stories--so reading fiction for homework is actually fun. I also loved math--it was so exciting to think about things like infinity.
Word: If you could only one book, listen to one CD, and eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what would you choose and why?
Portman: Probably The Bible, because it's a big book with lots of good stories that could keep me busy for a lifetime. I like Bach's The Goldberg Variations by Glenn Gould--it's very relaxing and beautiful and I don't think I'd get sick of it. And maybe eat salad because I don't really get sick of that either--and it is very nutritious! (Also maybe Carvel ice cream cake.)
Word: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Portman: Travel and read. Scuba dive and hang out with friends.
Word: What advice can you give to teens who would like to become actors?
Portman: Stay curious--try and be sensitive to how people feel around you and think about what other lives are like.
OK, now it's your turn to leave me some love. If you had a magic toy, what would it do? Are you excited for this movie? Are you going to get popcorn or Junior MInts? (I can't decide ...)