Denzel Washington plays a rogue agent out to destroy the CIA in Safe House. As you can see in the trailer, his character is water-boarded. What you may not realize is that Denzel went so far as to actually get a taste (in his mouth, eyes and nose) of what water-boarding is really like. Denzel’s been talking about the physical experience of that. But, I was more interested in how it affected his feelings.

Q: We see you getting water-boarded in the film. We see the dark side of the CIA. How did that impact your thoughts about it?

DW: Well, we want results. We don’t want to, necessarily, know how it happens. But, it is a dark side and it does happen. I mean, it came out — the guy [Khalid Sheikh Mohammed] that they water-boarded is famous. I don’t know for a fact, but it’s probably the tip of the iceberg. When we want answers, we get answers.

Q: Are you okay with that?

DW: It depends. I can tell you, post-9/11, I was okay with it. You know, those people wanted results, and they got results. So, yeah, in that case, I’m an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

Speaking of eyes, check out what Denzel told us about Ryan Reynolds giving him his first black eye ever during the making Safe House.

Q: Some people were surprised when you put yourself out front as an actor after making it to the top as a rapper. Wasn’t music enough?

Common: I love my music. But, I just had creative energy that I wanted to express in new ways. When I started acting, hip hop was feeling a little limited to me. I decided to take a class. And, from the first day I went, I just loved it. I felt like, ‘Man, this is a great way for me to be an artist and express myself and I’m passionate about it.

Q: What was the attraction of acting?

C: I found that acting has helped me as an artist to be more open and like, not be afraid. That’s what you experience in the process of acting. When I’d rap, I’d be trying to make sure the emotion was coming through, like the way you would as a character you’re playing. You make sure that you’re “in the moment,” as they say. When you’re recording, when you’re rapping, it’s like, sometimes, you just get into the grove and you’re just saying the raps over and over without all the emotion. But, if you stay in the moment, then people are going to feel that. So I think that’s how acting has helped.

Q: “Hell on Wheels” is an action western that deals with social issues. That seems to be a good fit for you.

C: What intrigues me the most about our series is that the relationship between races isn’t all just black and white. It’s about human beings. I thought, like, “Man, I didn’t even think black and white people related that way during those times.” I think we have a tendency to be politically correct all the time and it’s like we’re hiding what’s the truth. So this truth is being put out there on “Hell on Wheels.” And, as they say, “The truth will set you free.” That’s the most interesting part of it for me, which is not to say I don’t have fun running around with guns and riding horses and stuff.

Q: Six-shooters and men on horses are a long way from your childhood, aren’t they?

C: I didn’t watch a lot of Westerns growing up. So when I read the first script for “Hell on Wheels” I was just thinking about the great characters that are in the series. But, when we ride up on horses and there’s a hero shot, I’m thinking, “Man, wait ‘til the people I grew up with on the streets of Chicago see this.”

Q: Is your role in “Hell on Wheels” echoing some of what you’ve expressed in your music?

C: Absolutely. I feel a true responsibility to be as truthful as I can to what black Americans were at that time. We suffered a lot of things, and we also prevailed in a lot of ways. So sometimes after filming, you go home and feel emotionally drained because you just had some scenes that really dealt with some powerful things. You think of our forefathers who built this country, whatever nationality they were, and the things that they went through. It can weigh on you, but it’s also liberating.

Q: What do you expect as you continue to combine two careers?

C: With acting and music it’s always going to be ebb, flow, or whatever they call it, valleys and peaks. I know that from being in the music industry. So I’m taking my acting success and being grateful. But, I feel like I have a long way to go.

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Fingers crossed for a stellar premiere for Mr. Sunshine tonight on ABC. The show stars Mathew Perry as manager of a San Diego sports arena owned by an out of control woman played by Allison Janney.  Janney had us in stitches the other day talking about her role as Matthew’s boss, Crystal.

JANNEY SLAPPED MATTHEW PERRY FOR THE HECK OF IT:

“That was one of the funniest moments I’ve ever had.  It wasn’t in the script that Crystal slaps him.  His character was doing something that made me think, ‘That’s just wrong.  I’m going to slap him.’

He just stopped, and he was like ‘You just slapped me.  You just slapped me!  Why did you slap me?’  He was so shocked and I said, ‘Oh, I don’t know.  I just felt like Crystal would slap you.’  Everyone laughed.

So, now he’s always slightly nervous working with me.  He’s got that look in his eye of, ‘Oh, my God, what are you going to do?’  Sometimes I don’t know what I’m going to do either.”

ALLISON DOES WACKY WONDERFULLY:

“Crystal’s that kind of person who screams in church or does things that can be just so deliciously wrong.  I wish I would be that kind of person who would just like get up and leave because I’m bored right now.  You know, just be honest and say whatever’s on her mind.  I love the possibilities of her that way.”

Cam: “I’ve learned to, you know, to be as patient as possible and to not have any grey areas when you begin a scene like that. You don’t want to be the actor that starts to push things, and push another actor into certain unpleasant areas.”

Leave it to a guy to be a little evasive about kissing. Minka didn’t beat around the bush.

Minka: “No Tongue, don’t you know. Also be respectful of each others space really. We just did what we had to do.”

Does that sound romantic or what?

Now, Grint gets a chance to go head-to-head with Radcliffe in some heavy drama in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2. Grint told Parade’s Jeanne Wolf the surprises in store as the series of blockbuster films finally reaches the end.

“You see a different side to…”

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Six Golden Globe nominations for his film, “The Fighter.” Plus, Mark got a best actor nod.

And that’s not all…

Many people don’t realize that Wahlberg put together the HBO TV drama series, “Boardwalk Empire” which received three golden nominations.

Earlier this week the American Film Institute named “The Fighter” one of the ten best films of the year and “Boardwalk Empire” one of the top ten TV shows.

What else is making him smile?

See the cover of “Sports Illustrated” and Mark in his satin boxers. OK, I mean boxing trunks. Though he promised never to appear in just his Calvins again, Mark had to show off his new bod which he sculpted just for his star turn as Welterweight Champion Mickey Ward.

Congrats Mark. And excuse us if we whistle too.

Both actresses were determined not to fake the dancing in the dark thriller. Kunis told Parade’s Jeanne Wolf what she went through to make it real. Plus, what it took to get through a shockingly explicit moment of on-screen passion with her co-star, not to mention going even further in her next film with Justin Timberlake.

“I appreciated her ability to separate…”

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Carrey tells Parade’s Jeanne Wolf what attracted him to the most off-beat role of his career and his long-term goal of helping to make the world a better place.

“There are very few scripts…”

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Now, he’s facing an identity crisis in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2. Parade’s Jeanne Wolf found out why Felton found the final films the most exciting, even if he’s not exactly the hero.

“It’s been a great journey for Draco…”

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Parade’s Jeanne Wolf talked with the 20-year-old about reaching the end of a fantastical journey. Plus, how Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint became her on-set love gurus.

“You see a different side to…”

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Now, after ten years and seven hugely successful films, the 22-year-old actor is reaching the end of the magical odyssey with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2. Parade’s Jeanne Wolf found out about the incredible journey he’s taken.

“J. K. Rowling pretty much promised …”

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The 31-year-old actress talked to Parade’s Jeanne Wolf about her latest film. Plus, why she has a newfound appreciation for morning shows.

“I’ve never met anyone with the power…”

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Damon reveals to Parade’s Jeanne Wolf his own perspective on the afterlife and why he’s decided that when it comes to raising a family, four is enough.

“I’ve never met anyone with the power…”

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Now, the 39-year-old actress, who first grabbed tabloid headlines while playing Brenda on Beverly Hills, 90210, is looking back on her misadventures in her first book Badass: A Hard-Earned Guide to Living Life with Style and (the Right) Attitude.

She tells Parade’s Jeanne Wolf about her determination to change her image and learn from her mistakes.

“I have a rep. Did I earn it?…”

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Springfield told Parade’s Jeanne Wolf why he felt it was time to be totally honest with his fans.

“I write to be truthful in my songs…”

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Parade’s Jeanne Wolf teased Josh about maneuvering in “tighty whities” and tackling baby diapers on the big screen.

“It’s just one of the perks of the job…”

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