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No Time to Sing: Billie Eilish, 18, Gets James Bond Theme Song, She’s the Anti-Shirley Bassey, Adele

Roger Friedman
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No Time to Sing: Billie Eilish, 18, Gets James Bond Theme Song, She’s the Anti-Shirley Bassey, Adele

This is no time to be belting out the James Bond theme song, apparently.

Eighteen year old Billie Eilish, an eyelash of a singer, has recorded the theme song to “No Time to Die,” the last Daniel Craig James Bond movie.

Eilish is no Shirley Bassey or Adele, let alone Paul McCartney. Her vocal stylings are a whisper of darkness and cold. This is the way Craig’s Bond will exit.

Her real name is Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell, and it’s her brother, Finneas, age 22, who writes the songs. She’s up for six Grammy awards later this month. She’s a vegetarian, and says she suffers from Tourette’s Syndrome.

Well, the Bond people want the young audience, so Eilish is the right choice. After all, Adele is 30– way out of their demo. Will Eilish fans flock to “No Time to Die”? They don’t seem likely to be excited about anything. But maybe they will launch off their divans, drop their sunglasses, and head into the Cinemarama. We’ll see.

For your eyes only:

Winter Is Here: Broadway Shows Face January Chill with Big Drops for Long Running Shows Like “Lion King,” “Mormon,” “Wicked”

Roger Friedman
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Winter Is Here: Broadway Shows Face January Chill with Big Drops for Long Running Shows Like “Lion King,” “Mormon,” “Wicked”

Winter, as they say on Game of Thrones, is here.

On Broadway the January chill has set in after three weeks of big holiday box office.

Already, many long running show are facing steep drops. I’m surprised that “The Lion King” is showing real signs of wear and tear in that regard. Last week’s $1.6 million take is their third drop in a row. They’re running around $200,000 a week less than they did at this time last year.

“Wicked,” another mainstay, is down $2 million since the end of the year. “The Book of Mormon” has fallen over $500,000 in that time. So did “To Kill a Mockingbird,” which just had its lowest weekly gross since April 2019. Many other shows, even “Hamilton,” saw steep declines as the holiday ended and the tourists returned to their home planets.

Only two shows are really booming right now: David Byrne’s “American Utopia” and LinManuel Miranda’s “Freestyle Love Supreme.” They’re perfect ways to warm up on a cold January night.

 

Critics Choice Awards Exclusive: Norman Lear, 97, Has Two Actresses in Mind for “Maude” Reboot This Spring, Show Will Be Updated

Roger Friedman
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Critics Choice Awards Exclusive: Norman Lear, 97, Has Two Actresses in Mind for “Maude” Reboot This Spring, Show Will Be Updated

Norman Lear, 97, literally bounced on stage to receive his Critics Choice award for the live broadcasts of “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons” this past year. I am in awe of him, I think everyone in Hollywood is. Lear has definitely taken the right vitamins.

I asked him before the show started last night what plans he had for “Maude.” I told you a couple of weeks ago a “Maude” reboot would follow most recent “All in the Family”/”Good Times” live showing.

“I’ve got two actresses in mind,” Lear told me. “I can’t tell you who they are yet.” One would play Maude, the other her daughter, Carol. The originals were, of course, Bea Arthur and Adrienne Barbeau.

The big news is that “Maude” will not take place in the 1970s. It’s going to be updated for now. “There’s a whole concept, it’s very different,” Lear told me. It’s unclear whether another “All in the Family” episode will air, or if “Good Times,” which was spun off of “Maude,” will play in tandem.

The whole casting of “Maude” will no doubt be an event announcement. So far, Lear and co-producer Jimmy Kimmel have slotted in a lot of A list movie stars for the all actors in these revivals.

I did tell Lear my theory about Meryl Streep playing Maude– even though she’s 20 years older than Bea Arthur was in 1972. Lear laughed. “Listen,” he said, “Meryl Streep is so good she could play you!”

Robert De Niro Snubbed by Academy as “The Irishman” Scores 10 Nods: Was It His Politics That Turned Voters Off?

Roger Friedman
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Robert De Niro Snubbed by Academy as “The Irishman” Scores 10 Nods: Was It His Politics That Turned Voters Off?

Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman” scored 10 Oscar nominations today. But it should have been 11. Missing from their list was Robert De Niro as Frank Sheeran, the lead actor/character from the movie.

De Niro, who gives a beautiful, subtle performance and drives the movie from beginning to end, has been overlooked by almost every group this awards season. He’s considered our finest actor for his catalog of performances in movies like “Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull,” “Goodfellas,” and more recently, “Silver Linings Playbook.” He has two Oscars.

So what’s going on? Could it be his outspoken condemnation of Donald Trump? Possibly. Even in liberal Hollywood it’s possible to over do it. De Niro has never wasted a second to denounce Trump in graphic terms. He’s called him every name in the book. He’s even suggested attacking him.

De Niro has suggested Trump be “hit by a bag of sh-t.” He’s said Trump and his kids should “disown” each other. “I wouldn’t want to be related to them,” he’s declared. He’s said that Trump needs to be humiliated. De Niro has gone in strong, never once letting up.

Often, instead of promoting “The Irishman” in interviews or at SAG screenings, the great actor has stuck with the Trump offensive. He’s gotten loud applause and cheers wherever he’s gone. But the lasting effect seems to be that Academy voters remember his politics more than the performance as Sheeran.

And some may not agree with him. I know I do, and plenty of Academy voters may be thrilled to hear one of their leaders voice their opinion. But some may disagree with De Niro or wish he’d kept the volume down. Particularly at SAG screenings, the people who go like to hear about acting. They already know about Trump.

If his politics prevented a nomination, for De Niro it may have been worth it. He’s had lots of awards. He cares passionately about our country, and felt he had to make his voice heard on the subject of Trump. It was his sacrifice to make. But I wish he were in that group of nominated lead actors.

 

Oscar Nominations: Double Nods for Scarlett Johansson in Acting, Cynthia Erivo for Acting, Songwriting in “Harriet”

Roger Friedman
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Oscar Nominations: Double Nods for Scarlett Johansson in Acting, Cynthia Erivo for Acting, Songwriting in “Harriet”

Female director still can’t penetrate the Oscars. Greta Gerwig was denied for a second time this morning with her “Little Women.” And she wasn’t alone.

But women had an impact in a different way. Scarlett Johansson got two acting nominations. She was named for lead in “Marriage Story” and supporting in “Jojo Rabbit.” That’s quite an accomplishment.

The other double was Cynthia Erivo, the lone African American nominee for “Harriet” as lead actress. Erivo also received a Best Song nomination for “Harriet” for her song, “Stand Up.” Not a surprise that music was involved in Erivo’s world. She won the Tony Award for the musical “The Color Purple.” She’s currently filming an 8 part mini series playing Aretha Franklin.

Erivo has arrived!

 

UPDATING Oscar Nominations: Snubs Include JLo, Beyonce, Eddie Murphy, “1917” for Editing, No Women Directors, “The Farewell,” “Cats,” Just 1 African American Nominee

Roger Friedman
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UPDATING Oscar Nominations: Snubs Include JLo, Beyonce, Eddie Murphy, “1917” for Editing, No Women Directors, “The Farewell,” “Cats,” Just 1 African American Nominee

The 2020 Oscar nominations are here. Snubs  include Jennifer Lopez for “Hustlers.” Eddie Murphy for “Dolemite” and everything for that movie. But I’m really shocked that “1917” didn’t get editing. This was the movie with the “one cut” and incredible editing by Lee Smith. What??? And no women editors, no nomination for Greta Gerwig. There was also nothing for “The Farewell”– no Awkwafina, or “Cats,” of course. Robert De Niro was not nommed for “The Irishman.” (See my next story.)

Other snubs: No Clint Eastwood, but Kathy Bates made it in from “Richard Jewell.” Nothing for “Just Mercy.” Almost nothing for African Americans except Cynthia Erivo as “Harriet.”

In documentaries, “Maiden” was ignored. This was really a shame.

Best Picture

Ford v Ferrari, Irishman, Jojo Rabbit, Joker, Little Women, Marriage Story, 1917, Once Upon a Time, Parasite

Actor in a Leading Role

Antonio Banderas, Leonardo Di Caprio, Adam Driver, Joaquin Phoenix, Jonathan Pryce

Actress in a Leading Role

Cynthia Erivo, Scarlett Johansson, Saoirse Ronan, Charlize Theron, Renee Zellweger

Animated Feature Film

Dragon, Lost My Body Klaus, Missing Link, Toy Story 4

Cinematography

Irishman, Joker Lighthouse, 1917, Once Upon a time

Directing

Irishman, Joker, 1917, Once Upon a Time, Parasite

Documentary Feature

American Factory. The Cave, Edge of Democracy, For Sama, Honeyland

Documentary Short Subject

Absence, Learning to Skateboard, Life Over Skates Me, St Louis Superman, Walk Run Chacha

International Feature Film

Corpus Christi, Honeyland, Les Miserables, Pain and Glory, Parasite

Makeup and Hairstyling

Bombshell Judy 1917 Maleficient

Visual Effects

Avengers, Irishman, Lion King, 1917, Star Wars

Adapted Screenplay

Irishman, Jojo, Joker, Little Women, Two Popes

Original Screenplay

Knives out, Marriage Story, 1917, Once Upon a time, Parasite

Original Song

Toy Story 4, Rocketman, Diane Warren, Into the Unknown, Stand Up

Production Design

Irishman, Jojo Rabbit, 117, Once Upon a Time, Parasite

 

Actor in a Supporting Role

Tom Hanks, Anthony Hopkins, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Brad Pitt

Actress in a Supporting Role

Kathy Bates, Laura Dern, Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, Margot Robbie

Costume Design

Irishman, Jojo Rabbit, Joker, Little Women, Once Upon a Time

Film Editing

Ford v Ferrari, Irishman, Jojo Rabbit. Joker, Pparasite

Original Score

Joker, Little Women, Marriage Story, 1917, Star Wars

Animated Short Film

Dcera (Daughter) Hair Love Kitbull Memorable Sister

 

Live Action Short Film

 

Sound Editing

Ford, Joker, 1917. Once Upon a Time, Star Wars

Sound Mixing

Ad Astra,  Ford , Joker, 1917, Once Upon a Time

Critics Choice Awards On Eve of Oscar Nominations Go to “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” “The Irishman,” Directors of “Parasite,” “1917”

Roger Friedman
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Critics Choice Awards On Eve of Oscar Nominations Go to “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” “The Irishman,” Directors of “Parasite,” “1917”

As we await the Oscar nominations at 8:30am Eastern, the Critics Choice Awards were handed out at a glittery ceremony in Santa Monica, California.

Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” won Best Picture, and Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman” won Best Ensemble. Best Director was divided between Bong Joon Ho, who made “Parasite,” and Sam Mendes, of “1917.”

The acting prizes were the same as they were at the Golden Globes. Three of the four winners were present. For some reason, Brad Pitt did not attend.

Television awards were also handed out.

Taye Diggs hosted the event in an airplane hanger at Santa Monica Airport. The menu was all plant based, and it was actually quite awful, just as it was at the Globes. When the show was over, a thousand people scrammed to restaurants and private parties. Pizza never tasted so good.

The one edible item at the Critics Choice was ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery. But man cannot live by ice cream alone.

The winners of the main film awards showed a tremendous divide among critics. Like the Globes, they largely rejected Netflix’s aggressive campaign to win awards — even though they have great movies.

So now we wait for the Academy Award nominations, and the eventual snubs and unexpected choices.

 

 

WINNERS OF THE 25TH ANNUAL CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARDS

FILM

 

BEST PICTURE

Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (Sony)

 

BEST ACTOR

Joaquin Phoenix – Joker (Warner Bros.)

 

BEST ACTRESS

Renée Zellweger – Judy (Roadside)

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (Sony)

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Laura Dern – Marriage Story (Netflix)

 

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS

Roman Griffin Davis – Jojo Rabbit (Fox Searchlight)

 

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE

The Irishman (Netflix)

 

BEST DIRECTOR (TIE)

Bong Joon Ho – Parasite (Neon)

Sam Mendes – 1917 (Universal)

 

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Quentin Tarantino – Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (Sony)

 

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Greta Gerwig – Little Women (Sony)

 

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Roger Deakins – 1917 (Universal)

 

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Barbara Ling, Nancy Haigh – Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (Sony)

 

BEST EDITING

Lee Smith – 1917 (Universal)

 

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Ruth E. Carter – Dolemite Is My Name (Netflix)

 

BEST HAIR AND MAKEUP

Bombshell (Lionsgate)

 

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Avengers: Endgame (Disney)

 

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

Toy Story 4 (Disney)

 

BEST ACTION MOVIE

Avengers: Endgame (Disney)

 

BEST COMEDY

Dolemite Is My Name (Netflix)

 

BEST SCI-FI OR HORROR MOVIE

Us (Universal)

 

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

Parasite (Neon)

 

BEST SONG (TIE)

Glasgow (No Place Like Home) – Wild Rose (Neon)

(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again – Rocketman (Paramount)

 

BEST SCORE

Hildur Guðnadóttir – Joker (Warner Bros.)

 

TELEVISION

 

BEST DRAMA SERIES

Succession (HBO)

 

BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Jeremy Strong – Succession (HBO)

 

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Regina King – Watchmen (HBO)

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Billy Crudup – The Morning Show (Apple)

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Jean Smart – Watchmen (HBO)

 

BEST COMEDY SERIES

Fleabag (Amazon)

 

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Bill Hader – Barry (HBO)

 

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Fleabag (Amazon)

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Andrew Scott – Fleabag (Amazon)

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Alex Borstein – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)

 

BEST LIMITED SERIES

When They See Us (Netflix)

 

BEST MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (Netflix)

 

BEST ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Jharrel Jerome – When They See Us (Netflix)

 

BEST ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Michelle Williams – Fosse/Verdon (FX)

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Stellan Skarsgård – Chernobyl (HBO)

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Toni Collette – Unbelievable (Netflix)

 

BEST ANIMATED SERIES

BoJack Horseman (Netflix)

 

BEST TALK SHOW (TIE)

The Late Late Show with James Corden (CBS)

Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC)

 

BEST COMEDY SPECIAL 

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s All in the Family and The Jeffersons (ABC)

Exclusive: Broadway Great Frank Langella will Direct and Co-Star with Ageless Hot-as-a-Pistol Elaine May in “Love Letters” Off Broadway

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Broadway Great Frank Langella will Direct and Co-Star with Ageless Hot-as-a-Pistol Elaine May in “Love Letters” Off Broadway

No one is more “in” right now than Elaine May. At age 87, she’s just won a Tony Award for “The Waverly Gallery,” she’s loaded up on accolades including a lifetime achievement award this weekend from the LA Film Critics. (She sent a two sentence statement: “Thank you for my lifetime achievement award. I look forward to many more.”)

Now I’m told that May will team with a Broadway legend, Frank Langella, for an off Broadway run of A. R. Gurney’s “Love Letters.” Langella is directing. A formal announcement is forthcoming. I hear that rehearsals have already started and tickets will go on sale maybe this week for a start date in early March after the present production, “Paradise Lost” closes February 23rd.

The venue will be the tiny, 199 seat Acorn Theater on West 42nd St. I’m imagining the lines in front of the Acorn of very squirrely people going nuts trying to get inside.

“Love Letters” has had many incarnations on and off Broadway and around the world. Producers lost money on the last Broadway run in 2014, with Mia Farrow and Brian Dennehy, Candice Bergen, and Carol Burnett all rotating in and out.

But a small theater with these two superstars should be a hit. Not only is Elaine Most Wanted, Langella hasn’t been on stage since a short run in 2016 with “The Father” at Manhattan Theater Club. Can’t wait!

“Star Wars” Declining Fortunes as “Skywalker” Nears Billion Dollars But Way Behind Last 2 Films

Roger Friedman
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“Star Wars” Declining Fortunes as “Skywalker” Nears Billion Dollars But Way Behind Last 2 Films

“Star Wars” is shrinking at the box office. “The Rise of Skywalker” is nearing $1 billion worldwide, but it’s way behind the previous installments.

“The Force Awakens” finished its theatrical run with $2 billion worldwide. That was an enormous hit.

But the next chapter, “The Last Jedi,” ended up with $1.3 billion, a significant fall off.

“Skywalker” shows “Star Wars” fatigue. It’s not quite at $1 billion, and it’s getting ready to say goodbye. Disney will keep it in movie theaters for a while but the big push is over.

In the US, “Skywalker” has earned just half of what “The  Force Awakens” raked in. Of course, maybe a lot of fans are waiting for the streaming and the DVD, with inevitable extras.

Now the studio is threatening us with a new “Star Wars” movie in 2022. Yes, just two years from now. We can only hope they will reconsider and wait longer. You can’t miss something that’s never gone.  It’s time to give “Star Wars” a rest until they have a great– I mean a GREAT — idea, not just more young people wandering around the universe with the inevitable cameos from the other movies. Let some nostalgia sink in first.

In other box office news, “Just Mercy” launched with $10 million. Considering that it’s had almost no marketing or press, that’s pretty exciting. The Michael B. Jordan-Jamie Foxx drama deserves a solid run. It should have been a Best Picture contender. Alas, now we can just hope people see it and learn about Bryan Stevenson.

For Warner’s “Just Mercy” is a last shot in a year of failures for adult-themed movies. They’ve pulled Clint Eastwood’s excellent “Richard Jewell” after 28 days and just $21 million. It’s their biggest screw up after a string of disasters. Only “Joker” stands out in their year. “Richard Jewell” should have been a hit, a contender, and a conversation starter. Eastwood, 89, also deserved better.

Kristen Stewart has a bomb in “Underwater,” DOA, her second in a row after “Charlie’s Angels.” It’s not a big deal. She’s not an action star. I guarantee you she will win an Oscar soon for a great drama or quirky indie movie. These were just bad movies anyway, they’re not her fault.

Annette Bening Gets AARP Lifetime Achievement Award, Chokes Up About Warren Beatty, Don Johnson Explains Why He Had 3 Kids After Age 65

Roger Friedman
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Annette Bening Gets AARP Lifetime Achievement Award, Chokes Up About Warren Beatty, Don Johnson Explains Why He Had 3 Kids After Age 65

UPDATED Tony Danza emceed the annual AARP Movies for Grown Ups dinner last night at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel with aplomb and genuine excitement. He announced from the stage: “I’m the anti- Ricky Gervais!” And indeed he was, thank goodness. The night — which will air on PBS January 19th — was so authentically pleasant even Hollywood superstar Warren Beatty remarked to me, “I really enjoyed this!”

And so he should have as his wife, Annette Bening, stunning with platinum blonde hair, was honored for Lifetime Achievement by her “20th Century Women” co-star Billy Crudup. She gave a moving, and funny speech, thanked everyone she knew, but at the last minute — during her presentation — she cut the part about Beatty other than to say “I love you.” She did say, “He’s a great filmmaker…” but then choked up and decided to keep the rest to herself.

Among the other honorees was Linda Ronstadt, who came down to Los Angeles from her home in San Francisco. Fighting Parkinson’s Disease, Linda used a wheelchair to get around but stood when her old friend singer Maria Muldaur presented her with her award. Linda told me: “This may be my last trip down here. It’s too hard for me. It’s very painful.” She was surrounded by friends including her bff and career adviser John Boylan. Among those who were lined up to say hello: the great songwriter Diane Warren.

Another hero dealing with Parkinson’s is Alan Alda, who was seated early with wife Arlene. They’ve been married over 60 years, a record for show business couples. Alda presented an award to his “Marriage Story” director Noah Baumbach, who was pretty hilarious in his description of turning 50. (PS Tony Danza is turning 70 this spring and looks younger than most of these people!)

I asked Alda how he wrote the screenplay for his now classic movie “The Seduction of Joe Tynan” on coast to coast flights back in the 70s. I can barely get any work done on a plane.

“I was obsessed,” he said, “and focused. I had to get it done. But of course, now, forget it!”

The Aldas and the Beattys stayed to the very end, with Annette declaring, “Why are we always the last to leave?” She’s right, they are a very sociable couple, and love to hang out no matter the event. Warren was particularly happy to see three time Oscar nominee Diane Ladd, who presented Best Supporting Actress to daughter Laura Dern with a swell reminisce of raising a precocious kid in Hollywood. When Beatty saw Ladd, he told me: “We’ve known each other since we’re 19!”

Some other notes:

Juliette Lewis gave the Best Director award to Martin Scorsese and said, “Marty gave me my creative wings when I was 18 in Cape Fear.”

Adam Sandler who received the Best Actor award noted, “I’m a comedian who can act, and that’s good.”

Renee Zellweger, who got the Best Actress Award made the crowd feel better by saying, “I don’t feel like we are getting older, I feel like we are winning.”

Alan Alda giving to the award to Noah Baumbach for his best screenwriter  quipped, “I’ve been married to the same person for 62 years.  Since I just played a divorce lawyer in “Marriage Story,” people have been  asking me if I ever considered divorce?  I answer no, but my wife has considered murder.”

Noah then replied, “You were that rare person I’d hope you’d be. “

Diane Ladd, who previously won the for Best Supporting Actress award for her work in “Joy,” which was presented to her by her daughter Laura Dern now had the honors and presented Laura Dern with hers for “Marriage Story.”  Laura then loving described her mother as “my muse.”

Don Johnson noted that when he first got the infamous birthday card from AARP, “I was pissed.  Then I went on to have 3 more kids,  I was never really good at math.”

  • Career Achievement: Annette Bening
  • Best Picture/Best Movie for Grownups: The Irishman
  • Best Actress: Renée Zellweger (Judy)
  • Best Actor: Adam Sandler (Uncut Gems)
  • Best Supporting Actress: Laura Dern (Marriage Story)
  • Best Supporting Actor: Tom Hanks (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood)
  • Best Director: Martin Scorsese (The Irishman)
  • Best Screenwriter: Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story)
  • Best Ensemble: Knives Out
  • Best Intergenerational Film: The Farewell
  • Best Foreign Language Film: Pain & Glory (Spain)
  • Readers’ Choice: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
  • Best Time Capsule: Harriet

Additional reporting by Leah Sydney

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