Joy Bryant Takes Us on a Tribeca Film Festival Speed Date

For "About Last Night" star Joy Bryant, the fun of the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival started ages ago. For us, it starts this week.

The 39-year-old actress mugged enthusiastically to remind people to get their tickets to the fest — which runs through April 27 — in American Express's "Faces of Film" campaign, and admits she had a ball channeling some of her favorite on-screen moments for her hilariously over-the-top looks.

"I just thought about films or scenes from films that would help me get that reaction, so that was really cool," she admitted. "For the 'side-splitting' laughing one, I thought of one of my favorite movies, one of my favorite comedies: 'Friday,' with Ice Cube and Chris Tucker. … For the 'hair-raising,' I had 'Walking Dead' just in my brain. And for 'jaw-dropping,' I had the Red Wedding from 'Game of Thrones.'"

But posing for fun pics isn't the only highlight of coming to New York City for the Tribeca Film Festival. When she's not binging on some of the movies — which include James Franco and Emma Roberts in "Palo Alto" and Robert Downey Jr. and Sofia Vergara in "Chef" — she's indulging in other local fare. She took us on a little NYC Speed Date to fill us in on her faves.

When you come to New York, what's your must-go place? Bar Pitti for food. I might get the vongole but I'll usually just get arrabiata sauce and sautéed spinach, the bruschetta, wine — lots of wine — and a panna cotta. I'll be going there tomorrow and I'll be getting the same thing.

How do you like your bagel? I like an everything bagel toasted. Depending on how I'm feeling, I'll usually just do it with butter, but every now and then, I'll do a little cream cheese but I like cream cheese, sliced tomato, and a thin slice of red onion sandwich. Boom. Other than that, it's just butter on an everything bagel.

And your pizza? Plain, margherita.

Have you ever been hit by a bike messenger? No. I've almost been hit by cars. When I used to live in this city and I used to Rollerblade everywhere, I definitely had my run-ins with taxis.

Have you ever gotten your heel stuck in a subway grate? Yes! My shoe just came off and I just kept walking.

Have you ever taken a Citi Bike? No. I've thought about it and I'm still thinking about it. It could happen.

Are you an uptown girl or a downtown girl? Downtown girl. I grew up uptown in the Bronx, but I'm kind of a downtown girl. I mean, I'm definitely a bougie downtown girl. But I rep the Bronx, whatever!

In honor of the Tribeca Film Festival, here's Joy Bryant's best Robert De Niro impression:

The 2014 Tribeca Film Festival runs from April 16 – 27. American Express cardholders were able to purchase tickets for the festival in advance of the general public.