This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
This post is a result of a press trip sponsored by Relativity Media. My opinions remain my own.
It’s always fun interviewing actors and directors, hearing more about how movies are made, and why they do what they do (It’s pretty cool when they tell you to kneel down and share their chair as well).
Earlier this month we chatted with Amy Poehler about her new movie Free Birds. In this movie, two turkeys go back in time to get turkey off the first Thanksgiving menu:
As you can see, Reggie (voiced by Owen Wilson) likes pizza, so that figures into the plot.
We asked her if she was going to add pizza to her Thanksgiving meal this year:
She said that she’s just happy that her kids eat anything at all. Like a lot of us, she is fighting that battle in her home, trying to introduce new foods.
Amy told us that she enjoys cooking, though doesn’t get to do it as much as she used to. Her take on holidays was interesting (and freeing!):
I feel like holidays in general–correct me if I’m wrong, you guys would know more than me–are becoming really lose in a good way. I feel like everybody’s deciding how they want it to be. Especially when you have your own family, you kind of get to decide how you want to spend your holiday, like what suddenly is important.
What traditions is Amy trying to create for her family?
One is watching movies with her kids Archie and Abel on Thanksgiving night: “Showing them a movie they’ve never seen is always really fun. Last year, we watched Willie Wonka, which was a big deal.”
And the question that all successful working moms get asked:”How do you balance it all?”
My answer is pretty much the same all the time, which is just kind of figuring out what is good for you. What works for you is what works. Everybody’s thing is different. And especially as you at anybody says. Do your thing. Whatever works for you and your family is the right thing.
She mentioned books several times in our conversations, so being the good book blogger that I am, I asked about some of their favorites. Check out Amy Poehler’s thoughts on reading with her children at 5 Minutes for Books.
Free Birds, from Relativity Media and Reel FX Animation Studios, opens November 1
- Visit the official website
- Like FREE BIRDS on Facebook
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Follow @FreeBirdsMovie on Twitter and Instagram #FreeBirds
Buddy Garrett says
I enjoyed the interview. Holidays are about tradition. We can’t wait to have our daughter hone from college to celebrate Thanksgiving.
kathy pease says
one of our favorite things to do is watch the macys thanksgiving day parade..I love this time of year it brings everyone together 🙂
Tammy Woodall says
Amy Poehler is a very talented woman. She seems like a very down-to-earth actress that’s both smart and funny.
Cynthia R says
i really like Amy Poehler, loved her in Saturday Night Live. Think she has a good balanced attitude about life and motherhood, hope the movie does well!
shaunie says
Its great she is exposing them to new things, i think it will create great curiosity and increasement in learning although its just for fun
Maria Iemma says
She seems like a very down to earth individual. I like her idea about spending family holidays. It can be so nice and yet it can be very stressful, in my opinion.
Leslie Brown says
Unfortunately, my kids don’t eat just anything so Thanksgiving can be a challenge. I have 10 year old twins and one is really picky. She might eat turkey but would turn her nose up at everything else! Actually pizza for Thanksgiving would be right up her alley.
Cheryl F. says
I always enjoy watching Amy Poehler. She’s very funny.
Tammy S says
I think she nailed it on the head. You have to figure out what works for your family. I know we do things a little different at our house on Thanksgiving then we did when I was growing up. We always play board games all day instead of football.
Sarah L says
With blended families it’s sometimes hard to work around schedules. We have one Thanksgiving at home and another on the Friday after. (no black Friday for us)
LaVonne says
I like the tradition of watching a movie with the kids on Thanksgiving. Great idea!
Tami Vollenweider says
She seemed so genuine and like a normal housewife and mom today!I did work for many years and know the juggling of work and home time!!
Mary W says
I love Amy Poehler. It’s nice to see that she is a real down to earth person and a Mom just like us. Pizza for Thanksgiving sounds like a great idea to me!
patricia caradonna says
Nice that Amy is creating traditions with her family. Thanksgiving is such a wonderful family holiday. Can’t wait to enjoy the holiday with my family. My four kids will all be home from college.
vickie couturier says
good intereview,interesting to know that she has problems an concerns just like all us Moms have..she is very good actre
samantha w says
She seems like such an easy going person, I have liked her in so many things that she has done.