Mel Gibson
GIBSON DOES CANNES CANNES --We've shied away from entering the Le Gibson-fiasco because I believe that it's a fight where there's no clear winner ... only losers. Obviously, Mel has some issues and whatever he's doing, or done, doesn't seem to be working. That said, his new movie The Beaver directed by Jodie Foster , though not ratcheting up any impressive numbers at the theaters here, has nonetheless gone onto receiving some pretty impressive praise from the movie critics and industry persons in Cannes. Tuesday night was the night of the film's premiere and Gibson, a last minute appearance at the fete received a 10-minute ovation, and almost unanimous praise for his role in the film. The prolonged and tumultuous reception for him and Foster was the talk of the Croisette that night. He wasn't even a definite to show but he hit the red carpet and even generated applause at the film's end. One prominent producer in the audience there said she thought Gibson was amazing in the film and “If people didn't hate him so much he'd be winning awards for this.” She also added that the tabloids abroad have been equally as rough on him as the ones here. I'm still troubled by what's been played out in the media, but I've got to admit, he's one terrific actor … and, always has been. One of my favorites of his is Peter Weir's The Year of Living Dangerously (1982) with Sigourney Weaver and Linda Hunt; just an outstanding movie. And, that first Lethal Weapon movie, near the end of the movie when he breaks down at his wife's grave … just sensational. I haven't seen The Beaver yet … but, I will.
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Forest Whitaker
TV BATTLEFIELD --- As the Upfronts continue this week, the TV-field is literally littered with 29 canceled show; among them, Forest Whitaker's Criminal Mind:Suspicious Behavior, which was somewhat of a surprise. The show started strong, then faltered … then came back in the last few weeks with some rather scintillating acting and writing. And, don't forget, it was a mid-season replacement to start with! Christian Slater's third series in a row to get the ax … might be back after all. A well-coordinated efforts by the audience and some industry folk is making Fox take another look. And, last night's finale of The Good Wife was just terrific; in many ways, maybe the best episode of this current season. Superlative work all ... and, last night's episode showcased the terrific Josh Charles. We're still sullen over CBS' axing of The Defenders with Jim Belushi and Jerry O'Connell … some other network should pick this one up … maybe even TNT! And, just in case you didn't realize the severity of this week's presentations, via Nikki Finke in Deadline Hollywood: “Just about everyone says that the 2011 Upfront ad sales season will be a record breaker; Barclays Capital analyst Anthony DiClemente expects advertisers to commit about $9.2 billion from prime ad spots at ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC this next season beginning in September. That's up 7.5% vs. last year and will beat 2008's record 8.8. billion. He also adds that this will be the first year buyers will spend an equal amount on all of cable, up 15%.” But, don't kid yourself … the quality that existed decades ago is no longer there. Today, a new show will know its fate within 2 weeks … don't believe it? Just ask Paul Reiser; Matthew Perry;and Don Johnson. Man, it's a minefield out there!
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RihannaWELL DONE MS. SMITH --- Via Emily Smith in PAGE SIX: Are there any real hip-hop stars left without a vodka brand? SNL's Andy Samberg and his Lonely Island posse have signed on as creative directors of Diageo's Rokk Vodka. New Yorkers who've noticed ads for their new album Turtleneck and Chain, may have thought Rokk was a joke since the beverage appears in campaigns for the new album. Akon and Rihanna are also featured in their ads. Gotta' get me a vodka brand to endorse!!! How about Times Square Gossip Vodka?
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STEVENS AN IRIDIUM --- One of our favorites around here, singer/songwriter Larry Stevens, will appear at NYC's Iridium, Tuesday, June 7 (7:00PM), with his band comprising, Van Manakas, Liberty DeVitto, and Muddy Shews. Stevens, a dynamic singer and songwriter has 3 sensational albums to his credit: Heart of a Fighter; Downstair's at Mayors; and his newest Mercer Street. Expect to see Steve Walter and PR-guru David Salidor front-and-center. Check our Stevens for sure!
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Priscilla Queen Of The Desert
PRISCILLA UNION -- And, what's this about the Broadway's Priscilla heading to an arbitration showdown over the production's use of taped music, as well as the number of musicians employed at each performance? This is the latest salvo in an ongoing and often bitter war between Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians which reps Broadway musicians and Broadway producers. The union went on strike in 2003 over the minimum number of musicians required for specific Broadway theaters. That dispute resulted in the shuttering down of almost of Broadway musicals for close to a week at a loss of several millions dollars. For the Palace Theatre, Priscilla's home on Broadway, the previous minimum number of musicians was 24; after the 2003 negotiations, the number went down to 18. Currently, Priscilla has nine. My take is that it's rather ironic they picked this show;with singer Bette Midler is one of the producers. I predict a quick fine will be paid; they'll add some more musicians and move on. In these down-trodden economic days ... no one wants to be out of work. We'll let you know what happens.The hearing will take place in June and is the latest salvo in an ongoing and sometimes bitter war between Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians, which represents Broadway musicians, and Broadway producers.
The union went on strike in 2003 over the minimum number of musicians required for specific Broadway theatres. That dispute resulted in the shutting down of almost all Broadway musicals for close to a week at a loss of several million dollars. For the Palace Theatre, Priscilla’s home on Broadway, the previous minimum number of musicians was 24. After the 2003 negotiations, that number went down to 18. Priscilla has nine.
Jodie Foster
Pharrell Williams
Catherine Brelet With Max Von Sydow
Rachel McAdams
Noomi Rapace
Jacqui Ainsley With Guy Richie
Amber Heard
Robert Downey Jr.
Jared Harris
Jodie Foster
I’ve always been an avid fan of Roman Polanski. I mean, if you love film, how could you not be? Chinatown, Rosemary’s Baby, last year’s terrific Ghostwriter … just epic works. His personal life aside, his work is consistently mesmerizing. Last night we caught a preview of his new film, Carnage; the screen-adaption of the sensation play God Of Carnage by Parisian-based playwright Yasmina Reza and again was captivated by the filmmaker’s brilliant vision. As I said to my companion on the way in, who hadn’t seen the play: The plot is very minimal, it all happens essentially in one location. The basic plot centers on two sets of parents, whose two sons have gotten into a fisticuffs, with one of them attacking the other resulting in some dental damage. The parents each defend their kids and then do a sudden turn-about and blame the other one … and, then they each blame their parental ways. As the afternoon wears on, with liquor, cigars and one questionable cobbler, all coming into play, we see their attitudes change as personal shortcomings come to light in one of the best narratives I’ve seen and heard in years. Reza wrote the terrific play Art several years back that Alan Alda excelled in on Broadway. She possesses a terrific knack for dialogue and the way she weaves it together is nothing short of brilliant. The cast: Kate Winslet; Christoph Waltz; John C. Reilly and Jodi Foster are each just astounding. Each of them deliver a towering performance; personally, I loved Waltz who was so good in Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds. Hard to believe that that film was his first American performance. He is, astonishing. I’ve never seen Foster deliver a more personal performance; as her character's rather reserved veneer is finally pulled apart and the anguish of her character becomes very real; Winslet who grows with every performance is the elegant-and-proper investment banker, but soon is slashing-and-burning with the best of them. Reilly, who has never really moved me before is spot-on perfect as the husband of Foster who has been forced to be a little too reserved; and, is more than up for the battle. He too, comes alive. When I saw the play, the cast included Jimmy Smits, Annie Potts, Christine Lahti and Ken Stott, who originally was in the cast when the play first premiered in London. Stott also appeared in the London production of Art as well. Polanski has changed very little in his screen translation; the names have been subtlety altered and there’s a closing shot that mirrors his opening shot. Face it, the action here is in the guts of the play and his production is economical and spot-on. Some of his shots in the apartment where this all takes place are deceptively brilliant. When Waltz takes one his many phone calls in front of a mirror; in the mirror you see the other characters reactions. This movie stands up in the Polanski-cannon as one of his best. I consider his movie my first gift of the season. Brilliant!
Jodie Foster
Russell Brand
Shailene Woodley
Yvette Nicole Brown
Scott Caan
Mireille Enos
Laura Dern
Josh Brolin
Jennifer Garner
Felicity Jones
Chris Pine
Alan Ruck
Adepero Oduye
Mel Gibson
GIBSON DOES CANNES CANNES --We've shied away from entering the Le Gibson-fiasco because I believe that it's a fight where there's no clear winner ... only losers. Obviously, Mel has some issues and whatever he's doing, or done, doesn't seem to be working. That said, his new movie The Beaver directed by Jodie Foster , though not ratcheting up any impressive numbers at the theaters here, has nonetheless gone onto receiving some pretty impressive praise from the movie critics and industry persons in Cannes. Tuesday night was the night of the film's premiere and Gibson, a last minute appearance at the fete received a 10-minute ovation, and almost unanimous praise for his role in the film. The prolonged and tumultuous reception for him and Foster was the talk of the Croisette that night. He wasn't even a definite to show but he hit the red carpet and even generated applause at the film's end. One prominent producer in the audience there said she thought Gibson was amazing in the film and “If people didn't hate him so much he'd be winning awards for this.” She also added that the tabloids abroad have been equally as rough on him as the ones here. I'm still troubled by what's been played out in the media, but I've got to admit, he's one terrific actor … and, always has been. One of my favorites of his is Peter Weir's The Year of Living Dangerously (1982) with Sigourney Weaver and Linda Hunt; just an outstanding movie. And, that first Lethal Weapon movie, near the end of the movie when he breaks down at his wife's grave … just sensational. I haven't seen The Beaver yet … but, I will.
Forest Whitaker
TV BATTLEFIELD --- As the Upfronts continue this week, the TV-field is literally littered with 29 canceled show; among them, Forest Whitaker's Criminal Mind:Suspicious Behavior, which was somewhat of a surprise. The show started strong, then faltered … then came back in the last few weeks with some rather scintillating acting and writing. And, don't forget, it was a mid-season replacement to start with! Christian Slater's third series in a row to get the ax … might be back after all. A well-coordinated efforts by the audience and some industry folk is making Fox take another look. And, last night's finale of The Good Wife was just terrific; in many ways, maybe the best episode of this current season. Superlative work all ... and, last night's episode showcased the terrific Josh Charles. We're still sullen over CBS' axing of The Defenders with Jim Belushi and Jerry O'Connell … some other network should pick this one up … maybe even TNT! And, just in case you didn't realize the severity of this week's presentations, via Nikki Finke in Deadline Hollywood: “Just about everyone says that the 2011 Upfront ad sales season will be a record breaker; Barclays Capital analyst Anthony DiClemente expects advertisers to commit about $9.2 billion from prime ad spots at ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC this next season beginning in September. That's up 7.5% vs. last year and will beat 2008's record 8.8. billion. He also adds that this will be the first year buyers will spend an equal amount on all of cable, up 15%.” But, don't kid yourself … the quality that existed decades ago is no longer there. Today, a new show will know its fate within 2 weeks … don't believe it? Just ask Paul Reiser; Matthew Perry;and Don Johnson. Man, it's a minefield out there!
Rihanna
Priscilla Queen Of The Desert
PRISCILLA UNION -- And, what's this about the Broadway's Priscilla heading to an arbitration showdown over the production's use of taped music, as well as the number of musicians employed at each performance? This is the latest salvo in an ongoing and often bitter war between Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians which reps Broadway musicians and Broadway producers. The union went on strike in 2003 over the minimum number of musicians required for specific Broadway theaters. That dispute resulted in the shuttering down of almost of Broadway musicals for close to a week at a loss of several millions dollars. For the Palace Theatre, Priscilla's home on Broadway, the previous minimum number of musicians was 24; after the 2003 negotiations, the number went down to 18. Currently, Priscilla has nine. My take is that it's rather ironic they picked this show;with singer Bette Midler is one of the producers. I predict a quick fine will be paid; they'll add some more musicians and move on. In these down-trodden economic days ... no one wants to be out of work. We'll let you know what happens.