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Elvis Costello Spins a Wheel of Fortune, Diana Krall Dances

Roger Friedman
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Elvis Costello Spins a Wheel of Fortune, Diana Krall Dances

Elvis Costello got some people to dance on stage last night at the Beacon Theater who ordinarily don’t shake their moneymakers in public. But his wife, jazz great Diana Krall, and producer extraordinaire T. Bone Burnett got in the mood like crazy, doing the frug and other dances with a Sixties style gogo dancer in a cage–provided by Steve van Zandt‘s manager wife, Maureen. The Beacon was pretty much of a party as Elvis, sporting a top hat and cane, recreated his famous 1986 spinning wheel on stage–sort of like Regis and Kelly’s vacation wheel but slotted with names of Costello’s songs and other hits. “Contestants” get to spin the wheel and Costello’s band has to play whatever song comes up. Of course, Costello himself has some control of the wheel and inserts songs he’s got slated to play.

But the whole thing makes for an incredibly entertaining evening. For the second of three nights at the Beacon, Costello pulled out all the stops, mixing hits like “Alison” and “Watching the Detectives” with cool rarities for fans like “Clowntime is Over,” “Lipstick Vogue”–with the Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner, and the Nick Lowe/Dave Edmunds hit “Heart of the City.” Costello performed three songs from his 1985 album, “Blood and Chocolate”–“I Hope You’re Happy Now,” “I Want You,” “Uncomplicated,” plus “So Like Candy,” a rousing version of the Rolling Stone’s “Out of Time.” He was also joined on stage for a couple of numbers with his (much younger) half brother, Ronan MacManus, an accomplished Irish musician who supplied quite lovely vocals on “American Without Tears.”

Tonight, Elvis is back for a third night at the Beacon. And it’s a big music night in NYC. Bernard Fowler, the great background singer for the Rolling Stones, is doing a one off show at The Highline Ballroom down on West 16th St. His band includes Ronnie Drayton on guitar (Nona Hendryx), Keith LeBlanc on drums (Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel), Andy Hess on bass (Black Crowes, Greg Allman, Bo Diddley.) The last time Bernard played a New York show, Keith Richards was front and center. You never know who’s going to show up at a Fowler gig. Tickets are $15.

Gwyneth: No Record Deal, We Told You Two Months Ago

Roger Friedman
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Gwyneth: No Record Deal, We Told You Two Months Ago

Hmm….I told you back on March 9th there was no record deal at Atlantic Records for Gwyneth Paltrow. It did seem like Paltrow might make a record, based on her appearances on “Glee,” in the movie “Country Strong,” on the Grammys and with Cee Lo Green. But the rumors were just that. And why it’s all back today is a mystery, but someone should do a little checking. Everything old is new again!

http://www.showbiz411.com/2011/03/09/gwyneth-paltrow-no-record-deal-press-reports-were-premature

Lady Gaga: Amazon Selling New Album for 99 Cents vs. ITunes $15.99

Roger Friedman
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Lady Gaga: Amazon Selling New Album for 99 Cents vs. ITunes $15.99

UPDATE: Amazon.com is selling “Born this Way” album downloads for 99 cents today. Meanwhile, the price at ITunes is $15.99. (Thanks to hitsdailydouble.com for the tip off.)

There’s just no question that Lady Gaga‘s “Born this Way” album sounds like the missing Madonna CD from 1988. Is it a bad thing? No, not at all. From the well known Madonna-ish title track to the annoying “Judas” and beyond, Lady Gaga (aka Stephanie Germanotta) has done what Madonna used to do so well: synthesize existing ideas into her own art form. Let’s not be stupid here. “Born this Way” is going to sell like crazy this week, maybe break a few records, and have an astounding debut on the charts. It may well do more than a one million in sales.

Will it revive the record industry? No. If anyone gets credit for that it should be Adele. Her “21” album has been number one for weeks. It’s also completely original, and Adele is an echo –not a copy–of Janis Joplin and Grace Slick. I’ve been listening to “21” for the last couple of weeks on my Zen MP3 player, and it’s remarkable. Adele is the star of the year. This doesn’t take anything away from Lady Gaga. (PS Adele’s hit “Rolling in the Deep” was played at least twice every night this year on the red carpet at Cannes. No one could get enough of it.)

But “Born this Way” is relentless, derivative, and monotonous. The songs sound alike, with few exceptions. After “Just Dance” and “Poker Face,” I had higher hopes for her. There’s not much variation on “Born this Way.” Ironically, when the songs get more melodic that’s when they sound more like Madonna. Case in point: the very catchy “Bad Kids.” I also really like “Americano,” Lady Gaga’s “Isla Bonita.” “Fashion of His Love” is yet another soundalike to “Vogue” and “Express Yourself.” Ditto “Black Jesus +Amen.” Lady is obviously ga ga over this period. (There are also references in a couple of these songs to Whitney Houston’s “I Want to Dance with Somebody Who Loves Me.”)

One thing to say in Lady Gaga’s favor. Like Madonna, she has a good sense of timing. There’s a song here called “Government Hooker” that is almost prescient considering the current spate of politicians, movie stars, and businessmen in sex scandals. Watch for “Government Hooker,” positioned at number 3 on the track listing, to be a hit single. And one of many over the next year. This is the era of Lady Gaga. Things could be worse. Let’s dance.

Box Office: The “Beaver” Getting Buried, “Pirates” Loved Only Overseas

Roger Friedman
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Box Office: The “Beaver” Getting Buried, “Pirates” Loved Only Overseas

The weekend box office is in, and there are a couple of notable situations. For one, Jodie Foster‘s “The Beaver” is pretty much a dead issue after two weeks. This Friday it will go wider than its current 105 theaters, but it won’t matter. So far, “The Beaver” has grossed around $580,000–the same amount, to compare, as Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris.” The difference is that “The Beaver” has been out two weeks and has played in those 105 theaters. “Midnight” did the same in one weekend in six theaters. So that’s it for Mel Gibson and “The Beaver” no matter what happens this weekend. Summit brought Jodie and Mel to Cannes, did a cocktail party for Jodie–which Mel didn’t attend. Likewise he skipped their press conference. Will overseas audiences buy “The Beaver”? That’s all that’s left.

The worldwide take for the new “Pirates of the Caribbean” was a record setter, while American audiences seem to have had it pretty much with the Johnny Depp franchise. In America, “Pirates” took in $90 million for its first weekend–way down from the 2007 opener of the last “Pirates” which did $128 million domestically. Will they really make a fifth movie? Probably, given the wild $246 million the movie’s done abroad. But that also means a possible domestic take of $60-$70 the next time around. Jerry Bruckheimer and Disney cut costs this time by ditching Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, and replacing them with much less expensive actors (Sam Claflin, Astrid Berges Frisbey). But they still have the increasing costs of Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, and Penelope Cruz (if she returns). The overseas success of “Pirates” this week does show that the world is hungry for any brand name entertainment, which is worth noting. Americans, however, know when they’re seeing the same thing over and over.

Woody Allen Scores with “Paris,” Casts Judy Davis In Next Film

Roger Friedman
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Woody Allen Scores with “Paris,” Casts Judy Davis In Next Film

Woody Allen had a big weekend with “Midnight in Paris.” The absolutely terrific comedy made $579,000 in six theaters. It could turn out to be Allen’s biggest hit ever, certainly as big as “Vicki Cristina Barcelona.” Now Allen gets ready to shoot his next film, “Bop Decameron,” in Rome, with an all star cast. Allen told me that he’s cast Judy Davis, who’s been in several of his films including “Husbands and Wives” and “Alice.” Davis joins cast that already includes Penelope Cruz, Roberto Benigni, Jesse Eisenberg, Alec Baldwin and Ellen Page. I do wish at some point Allen would go back and do a reunion film with Tony Roberts and Diane Keaton. The other night on the Croisette, the Cannes Film Festival did a big outdoor screening on the beach of Roberts and Catherine Deneuve and Yves Montand in “Le Sauvage” from 1975. We stopped and watched it from the sidewalk for a bit, and the film really holds up. Roberts is underrated. But he will always be associated with Woody from “Annie Hall,” “Play it Again, Sam,” and appearances in several other Allen films. Meantime, “Midnight in Paris” shows that Allen, age 75, remains the premiere (living) American filmmaker, along with Scorsese, Eastwood, Coppola, Lucas, and Spielberg.

Cannes Winners: Tree of Life, Kirsten Dunst, “The Artist” Star Jean DuJardin

Roger Friedman
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Cannes Winners: Tree of Life, Kirsten Dunst, “The Artist” Star Jean DuJardin

It’s not s shock: Terrence Malick was a year late presenting “The Tree of Life.” He didn’t come to his press conference or premiere party, and walked in at the end of his premiere screening. Almost no one saw him. So of course he won the Palm D’Or tonight in Cannes. For the film. For the effort of making a two hour, twenty minute philosophical meditation on the creation of the universe. He didn’t win Best Director. That went to Nicholas Winding Refn for his stylish “Drive.” Kirsten Dunst was not held responsible for Lars von Trier‘s crazy comments, and won Best Actress for “Melancholia.” This performance and this film are more resonant than “Tree of Life.” And French superstar Jean DuJardin won Best Actor for “The Artist.” I am telling you now: watch this actor, this film, and more become a big deal in the fall and go on to Oscar status at least in multiple nominations. The Cannes winners are all good choices, I think. “Tree of Life” is one weird movie, but it’s also brilliant, flawed, and a conversation starter. Brad Pitt doesn’t get enough credit; he’s very good in it. The film is a piece of art. Put up on your wall and talk it over. Will it be a hit? Very minor. An awards magnet? Hard to say. As I said before, Fox Searchlight should make a short film of the nature video stuff that’s one half the film and put in an IMAX theater. More on Cannes, with a wrap up later. We should note, no mention of Sean Penn or “This Must Be the Place.”

Scorsese Could Wind Up Directing DeNiro Again in “The Comedian”

Roger Friedman
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Scorsese Could Wind Up Directing DeNiro Again in “The Comedian”

EXCLUSIVE Robert DeNiro has been such a great presence in Cannes this week as head of the jury. And he’s also been much on everyone’s minds concerning movies. He’s got a wedding movie in the works with Diane Keaton, an Italian film being shown in the market to distributors, and something really cool in the offing.

I’m told that producer Art Linson has written a script that DeNiro loves called “The Comedian.” It’s about an insult comic, described sort of like Don Rickles meets Joan Rivers. Hot shot younger generation Friars Club comedian Jeffrey Ross helped Linson by writing DeNiro’s stand up routines, and they say that DeNiro loves the material.

The movie is all set up and financed–Linson, after all, is a pro of pro’s. And the next step is to convince Martin Scorsese to direct. Of course, Scorsese directed DeNiro years ago as a comedian in the classic 1982 film, “The King of Comedy.” But I’m told this comedian is quite different than Rupert Pupkin, and would be a serious role with Oscar potential for DeNiro.

Michael Jackson’s Father Wants to Open Neverland Style Hotels

Roger Friedman
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Michael Jackson’s Father Wants to Open Neverland Style Hotels

Imagine my surprise to run into Joseph Jackson this week in Cannes. We knew he was going to be around, promoting various schemes. But he showed up at Sean Penn’s J/PHRO charity dinner for Haiti at the Carlton Hotel with quite a gang in tow: he’s doing business with Michael Jackson’s one time, problematic manager Dieter Wiesner. And he’s also found wealthy patrons who don’t speak English too well and probably are unaware of his unusual history.

With these new partners, to whom Joseph introduced me, Michael Jackson’s dad is going to start something called the Happy Land Resort: A Jackson Neverland Themed Resort World Wide. Lost on these folks is the news that Happy Land was a New York disco where dozens of people once died. But hey, they know what they’re doing. I met a lovely older woman named Phan Thi Phuong Thao, who wore a beautiful black robed gown that was embroidered heavily with silver and gold. She’s the Chairman of the Board, and obviously quite smitten with Joe Jackson. She doesn’t speak English.

My hat is off to Joe Jackson.

I did ask Joe if he’d seen his famous daughter, Janet. She was also in town, staying with Roberto Cavalli on his boat. It was Janet’s birthday on Monday, but Joe told me: “We don’t celebrate birthdays.” When I asked if he’d seen her, he replied: “No, but tell her I said hello if you do.” Will do!

Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling Take Center Stage at Cannes

Roger Friedman
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Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling Take Center Stage at Cannes

It’s almost the end of the Cannes Film Festival, and the best has been saved for last. Sean Penn opens first tonight in “This Must Be The Place,” directed by Paolo Sorrentino. Then Ryan Gosling comes with “Drive,” from Nicholas Winding Refn. I saw them both this morning, they’re excellent. “This Must Be the Place” may even wind up with The Weinstein Company from what I’m hearing, which would be a great reunion of Penn and Harvey Weinstein. They made a movie years ago which Sean directed called “She’s So Lovely.”

In “This Must Be the Place,” Sean plays a an aging punk rocker from the early 80s who resembles Robert Smith of The Cure. Cheyenee, his character, has been cut off emotionally from his Orthodox Jewish family in New York, but returns when his father dies. It’s an odd story, but Sorrentino has a great visual sense. Also, David Byrne performs his song, “This Must Be the Place” live, and it’s even better than it was a hundred years ago in Jonathan Demme’s “Stop Making Sense.” Frances McDormand plays Sean’s wife with her usual fun crankiness. But the movie is all about Penn, who is unforgettable.

Meantime, Ryan Gosling takes a giant leap forward with “Drive,” a dreamily paced noir action film. This movie has cult classic written all over it. Gosling, now buffed up, emerges as a kind of new Steve McQueen. He’s had plenty of kudos, awards and nominations, but “Drive” will launch him into the leading man, action hero department. He also has a strong supporting cast with Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman, Carey Mulligan, and an outstanding Albert Brooks.

“Drive” is a violent film about lunatics who kill for money without thinking twice. Gosling plays a professional driver who can out pace anyone as he assists with robberies, etc. He’s also a survivor. “Drive” is incredibly stylish, although I wish someone would lose the cheesy ABBA soundtrack and put in some decent music that fits the film. (Hello, producers: call Randall Poster.)

Celebrity Haiti and Japan Relief Trump AIDS as Cannes Fundraisers

Roger Friedman
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Celebrity Haiti and Japan Relief Trump AIDS as Cannes Fundraisers

Tonight’s the annual amFAR dinner. But with no Sharon Stone (she was ousted last year in a political squabble), the once mighty AIDS fundraiser has been eclipsed. In the last three days, Sean Penn, director Paul Haggis, and supermodel Naomi Campbell have tapped the wealthy mainstays of Cannes for their own important causes–Haiti, and Japan. Last night, Penn’s J/P Foundation raised between $500,000 and $700,000 at a swanky dinner at the Carlton Hotel.

Philanthropist Ella Krasner hosted Robert and Grace DeNiro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jane Fonda, Richard Perry, Uma Thurman, Naomi Campbell, Ryan Gosling, Rosario Dawson, Faye Dunaway, Roberta Armani (a sponsor), the people from Maybach autos, a Saudi prince, Harvey Weinstein and a roomful of 200 or so people who sported diamonds and more diamonds. Sean, who is so passionate about Haiti, spoke eloquently and persuasively before auctioning off rare items like walking the red carpet with him and Thurman on Friday for the premiere of his film, “This Must Be The Place.”

Uma, by the way, donated a huge but undisclosed amount to the cause. She told me: “Life has been good to me, I’m lucky. So I want to give back.” She’s a peach

Then: everyone headed to the Martinez Hotel for Paul Haggis’s Artists for Peace and Justice. That’s where siblings Jane and Peter Fonda ran into each other, and Haggis entertained stars from all the movies here. Money from both events went to Haiit relief. Earlier in the week, Naomi Campbell raised around $1 million for Japan relief with her fashion show.

The only big party that raised no money this week: Microsoft co founder Paul Allen fielded about half a dozen stars and tons of extras to his behemoth Octopus yacht. Allen, recovering from lymphoma, played the guitar with his rock band while guests got to see his full sized yellow submarine. Allen donated around $14 million to various charities in 2009, but on Tuesday night the party “was just to show off how much money he has,” a celebrity guest told me.

Not at Allen’s shindig: DeNiro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, or even Harvey Weinstein. And of course, no press allowed.

Tonight: the AmFAR event, with no Sharon Stone, actress/model Milla Jovovich singing a song, a tribute to Elizabeth Taylor, and two songs from a surprise guest that’s supposed to be Janet Jackson but very likely is someone else. But in Cannes: the premiere of Pedro Almodovar’s “The Skin I Live In” and a first look at Ryan Gosling in “Drive” wll steal that thunder.

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