Here is Elton John’s “Never Too Late,” from the new “Lion King.” This is the song that closes the movie and should get an Oscar nomination. As I wrote yesterday, Elton also has a song from “Rocketman” that could be up for an Oscar, he’s in competition with himself. I love this song!
New Live Action “Lion King” Splits Critics and Twitter, Original Animated Film Yanked from Streaming and Renting Services
The new “Lion King” is proving to be more divisive than originally thought. Early social media posts from the premiere audience, critics, and first screenings were very high on the film, calling it “visually stunning.” But on Twitter, after more scenes were released, there’s been a serious outcry against the movie. Armchair critics– who will pay to see “The Lion King”– are complaining that it looks cold, grim, and that the real lions et al seem unemotional.
That won’t stop this “Lion King” from roaring at the box office, by the way. It’s going to be a big, big hit.
Meanwhile, as we await the review embargo to lift at 12 noon Eastern: Disney seems to have yanked the original 1994 film from streaming or renting. You can still buy it on amazon or iTunes, but it’s not available to be rented. This would seem as a way to discourage comparisons between the old film and the new one. Disney’s done the same with “Aladdin” so that the Robin Williams version also can’t be casually watched. Interesting that they didn’t do this for “Dumbo.”
Some theorize that Disney has pulled “The Lion King” from renting or streaming because they’re going to have their own service soon. I don’t think so. All their other movies, plus Pixar, Marvel and LucasFilms are all available now. Again, it won’t matter. “The Lion King” is immortal.
Law: Justin Trudeau’s Trial System Sounds More Like China Than Canada as Music Exec Languishes in Jail — Jury Was Denied Key Evidence
Today is the 77th day that Steven Nowack, a 56 year old Canadian citizen who has no criminal record, has spent in a Toronto jail. Nowack — whom I’ve known since 2005 through the music industry — has been cruelly stripped of his freedom by Justice Robert F. Goldstein, of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, since April 26, 2019. That’s when he was wrongfully convicted by a jury of 12 counts of fraud over $5,000 in what the government alleges is a $15 million dollar case.
Nowack is in a judicial purgatory caused by a prejudicial judge.
I’ve posted a couple of stories in the last two months about this extraordinary case proceeding in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. I wasn’t able to use names until now. The case is rife with possible misconduct and potential criminal acts by the Judge, the Prosecutor (referred to in Canada as “The Crown”), and the police. I’ve been cautious as I wanted to give Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, his Attorney General of Canada, David Lametti, and the Attorney General of Ontario, Doug Downey, the opportunity to intervene before I revealed names.
But they’ve remained silent, allowing this grave and serious violation of the Statutory and Charter Rights continue to be suffered by a Canadian citizen who has no prior criminal record. I didn’t think of Canada as China, but suddenly it’s become an issue.
Nowacks story attracted my attention about 2 1/2 years ago when I could not believe that he was still being prosecuted. Since that time, the story has become Kafka-esque, worthy of a Netflix or HBO mini series a la “The Night Of.”
Trudeau, who sees himself as a kind of Superman for Canada, should remember his words: “The Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects all Canadians, every one of us, even when it is uncomfortable. When the government violates any Canadian’s Charter rights we all end up paying for it.” If he really feels that way, he should take a look into releasing Nowack as soon as possible pending a comprehensive review of what has gone on in Goldstein’s courtroom.
Nowack’s case has now been proceeding before the courts for 5 years and 9 months, beginning back on October 23, 2013.
Just recently, on Thursday, June 27, 2019, Nowack was in court for the full day, for the continuation of what is called a disclosure motion. A disclosure motion is to review late and missing disclosure (the fruits of evidence from the police investigation).
The disclosure hearing was supposed to take place before the jury was seated, not after they delivered a conviction without hearing all the evidence– or what the government may have done to suppress it.
The disclosure situation in this trial should have been enough to stop the proceedings cold. This was a shocker: Goldstein seems to have known in advance what would happen. He’d begun to hear the disclosure motion before the jury was seated. But he abruptly adjourned it after two days and let the trial begin.
Two weeks later, well into the trial, the prosecutor, Renna Weinberg, revealed that she’d been sitting on in excess of 3,200 pages of emails, plus more 400 pages or other documents, and in excess of 400 pages of missing financial records. The jury was already sitting — for two weeks. And Weinberg had known about it for two years. Two years.
The news of all this missing evidence was only revealed publicly weeks later — after the jury had rendered its verdict. Why? Because the trial judge, Justice Robert F. Goldstein, did not want them to hear about this crucial evidence, this mountain of emails and documents– and how they’d been discovered.
This was one of many decisions made by Justice Goldstein that prevented Nowack from having a fair trial and from mounting a full defense. Another decision, which I’ll get into next week, will blow your minds.
It’s not like Nowack hasn’t tried to mount a defense. He has. He’s had in his corner Paul Slansky, one of Canada’s most highly respected criminal/constitutional lawyers. Slansky has been assisting Nowack for the past three years on an unbundled basis pro bono– as in, for free. He’s that angry that Nowack’s rights have been and continue to be so seriously violated.
Slansky vehemently opposed Goldsein’s decision to having the trial without the disclosure motion. It was the opposite of what should have occurred. Slansky believes that Goldstein’s decision flagrantly violated Mr. Nowack’s statutory and Charter Rights denying him a fair trial, by preventing him from making full answer and defense.
Again, Canada, or China?
This is only the very tip of the iceberg regarding Goldstein’s behavior in this trial. I will reveal many more details in the coming days. But Goldstein should not feel alone in his participation and complicity in this travesty. His colleagues– prosecutor Weinberg and the Toronto Police– have been complicit.
I told you this reads like a John Grisham novel or a Netflix or HBO blockbuster. It does. The only difference here, is that John Grisham’s novels were fiction and this is real life. Shameful.
More next week, and it doesn’t reflect well on the Canadian judicial system.
Elton John Wrote– And Sings– Great New “Lion King” Song, So He’ll Compete with Himself and With Beyonce for the Oscar This Season
Everyone’s all excited about Beyonce’s new “Lion King” song that was released today. It’s called “Spirit” and I have to say, it sounds better in the context of the movie than as a standalone. (Is it number 1 yet?)
But wait! Elton John surprises everyone with a new “Lion King” song that plays at the end of the movie. It’s called “Never Too Late,” and I’ll say it now– it’s great. It’s even actually better than Elton’s song in his own movie. “Rocketman,” called “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again.” And that 0ne is pretty good, too.
This means that Elton will have two songs for Best Song nomination this season. Weird, right? But you know this is the year of Elton John, on his Farewell tour, with his hit movie, and so on. He wrote all the original hit songs with Tim Rice for “The Lion King” animated film and Broadway musical. So writing a new one makes sense.
I can’t review the new “Lion King” until tomorrow at noon, but I will say the original songs sound wonderful in the film, especially “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” But “Never Too Late” has ‘hit’ and ‘radio’ written all over it. Elton should add it to his shows ASAP.
Maybe he can just get a special Oscar for being Elton John next winter. When “Never Too Late” drops, I’ll post it.
BTW there’s a really great Diane Warren song, sung by Daya, in Mindy Kaling’s “Late Night” movie that should get nominated. Here it is:
Showtime’s Roger Ailes- Fox News Series “Loudest Voice” Gets 356K Viewers, HBO’s “Big Little Lies” Eyes 1.8 Million
Showtime’s Roger Ailes-Fox News series, “Loudest Voice” improved a bit in the ratings on Sunday night. The show rose from 299K to 356K in direct viewing on Showtime at 10pm. Fifty seven thousand more viewers aren’t hugely significant. But maybe the 9-11 theme of the show caught some of the “City on a Hill” crowd that preceded. “City on a Hill” only had 411K viewers, but the show runs almost its whole hour so people could have stuck around.
Who knows? I said my piece yesterday about “Loudest Voice.”
Meanwhile, HBO’s “Big Little Lies” is huge with 1.8 million fans at 9pm. It’s not “Game of Thrones,” but it’s BIG, those little lies. The plot is a recycle from “The Young and the Restless,” but the plot doesn’t matter. It’s characters, the actors, the writing. Who doesn’t love this war between Meryl Streep’s Mary Louise and Reese Witherspoon’s Madeline. Classic soap opera. Although I still haven’t gotten over Nicole Kidman’s Celeste slapping Mary Louise, who replied, “Is that your idea of foreplay?”
A third season? So easy. Because now they’ve established the characters, their backstories, they can go on and do anything. These producers can get at least one more season out of this all -star cast. Let’s hope they do five!
Late, Great Aretha Franklin Gets a Real “Freeway of Love” As Michigan Names Part of Detroit Highway for Her
Aretha Franklin is getting a real freeway of love.
Michigan governor Gretchen Witmer has signed a bill making part of the M-10 Freeway that runs through Detroit as the Aretha L. Franklin Memorial Highway.
Our friend Aretha died on August 16th last year. I’ve been thinking about her a lot this week as I went to Detroit to see her one year ago this week.
She had just received another honor– the naming of a downtown street near Tigers Stadium is now Aretha Franklin Way.
After her death, the city also renamed a local concert venue on the river in her honor.
This past May, Aretha also received a posthumous Pulitzer Prize for her life’s work.
She would be so pleased by all these accolades. They show so much RESPECT!
The piece of highway which will bear her name begins near her famed New Bethel Baptist Church.
The Democratic governor notes in a statement that Franklin’s “creativity and voice contributed to our musical and cultural history in Michigan.”
By the way, Aretha’s gospel documentary, “Amazing Grace,” has made over $4.3 million in its theatrical release. It’s still playing in some theaters after a hugely successful run. Director Sydney Pollack must be smiling in heaven.
Listen to Beyonce’s New Song from “The Lion King” Called “Spirit” Which Will Be Entered in Oscar Race for Best Song
“The Lion King” redux is coming, with a new song by Beyonce. Well, they needed a new song to qualify for the Oscars since the Elton John songs are 25 years old. Can you feel the gold statue tonight? It’s the circle of life, after all. Beyonce’s song is called “Spirit.” It’s written by Lebo M. and Hans Zimmer with Beyonce adding her own special touch. She is royalty and this is about royalties. ‘Natch.
Legendary Actor Rip Torn Dead at 88, Emmy Winner for “Larry Sanders Show,” Oscar Nominee, Tony Nominated, Once Married to Geraldine Page
Rip Torn– contentious, brilliant, mercurial, genius– actor is dead at age 88.
He was best known for playing Garry Shandling’s sidekick on “The Larry Sanders Show.” But he appeared on Broadway ten times and was nominated for a Tony in 1960.
Torn was nominated for an Oscar in 1984 for Best Supporting Actor in “Cross Creek.”
Originally a stage actor known for drama, Torn later blossomed as a comedic actor who take bombast to new levels.
He was married three times: to the late great Ann Wedgworth, to the late Oscar winner Geraldine Page, and to his widow, actress Amy Wright. He had children with all of them including two with Page who became actors: Tony Torn and Angelica Torn.
Torn had nine Emmy nominations and one win, in 1997, for “Larry Sanders.” He appeared in 89 episodes of that show and became a fan favorite.
He burst onto the scene in the early 60s starring in three different plays by Tennessee Williams. Torn was a regular on TV starting in the late 50s, and never stopped working. One memorable role was that of Don Geiss, Alec Baldwin’s mentor, on “30 Rock.”
Rip Torn will be remembered for being an iconoclast. He never conformed, and went his own way. That’s why whenever you see him in a film or TV show, he leaves an indelible mark. Condolences to his family.
Showtime’s Roger Ailes Mini-Series Skips Monica Lewinsky-Bill Clinton Scandal, Rewrites History of How Fox News Became a Powerhouse
Showtime’s “The Loudest Voice” mini series about Roger Ailes and Fox News is a ratings loser so far. On its opening night, only 299,000 people tuned in for its official debut.
There’s a spectacularly accurate reason “Loudest Voice” isn’t attracting viewers: it’s not good. I don’t mean it’s poorly written, acted, or directed. It’s not. Of course, all those items are high in quality.
But the series has no context, and it jumps around. There’s no sense to it. This past Sunday night’s episode (number 2, ratings announced tomorrow) jumped to 2001, and 9/11, as if that were a pivotal moment at Fox News. It wasn’t. (I was there.) I was surprised that the creators of “Loudest Voice” leaped over 1998-99 and the Monica Lewinsky-Bill Clinton scandal. That was a pivotal moment.
Everything at Fox News changed as Matt Drudge, in his online Drudge Report, broke the stories of Clinton’s affairs (Paula Jones, Gennifer Flowers) and then Lewinsky. Fox hopped on that bandwagon. Drudge even got a Fox News TV show out of it. The Clintons’ vulnerabilities, the impeachment and so on– that’s what fed the new conservative movement. “Loudest Voice” skipped right over that.
They also ignored the 2000 election, hanging chads, and the Bush cousin who was working for Fox News on election night at the broadcast center. Fox News fueled the George W. Bush election win, the Supreme Court fight, all of it.
So interesting: “Loudest Voice” is based on Gabriel Sherman’s excellent book. But the book was Sherman’s take, and it was so much about the Gretchen Carlson-Bill O’Reilly sex scandals etc. The mini series would have been smarter to focus on all of that, the later years, with flashbacks to the early days. Instead, the linear approach is not working. They don’t seem to know much about those days. It’s all gone wrong.
Still, Russell Crowe is excellent as Ailes. Most of the other casting is pedestrian. Mackenzie Astin as John Moody– no. Moody was Ailes’s yes man. His toady. So far, like many of the supporting characters, he’s not fleshed out enough to explain his presence. Also, they missed a good chance with Dianne Brandi, Ailes’s Queens-accented in house barracuda of a lawyer. They could have had a supporting actress nomination with a real scene chewer. Their Dianne Brandi is just wallpaper. Too bad.
Trump Justice: Friars Club Chief Michael Gyure, Who Pleaded Guilty to Tax Fraud, Sentenced to Time Served, Throws a Pre-Planned Party
You see, here’s the thing. In the time of Trump, the swamp is deeper and more operational than ever.
Friars Club chief Michael Gyure, who pleaded guilty to tax fraud, was sentenced today to time served. Witnesses testified at his sentencing hearing about what a bad guy he is. One witness told Judge Naomi Buchwald that Gyure already had a party planned to celebrate his light, nay almost non existent, sentence.
The judge didn’t care. She apparently had already decided that crimes committed by or around the Friars Club should stay in the Friars Club. Why should she hold Gyure to the letter of the if the Friars didn’t care enough to throw him out?
Gyure was sentenced to one year of supervised release. That’s it. Judge Buchwald said she thought the problems in the club should be taken up as a civil case.
No one seems to care that the Friars have wasted or lost millions of dollars under Gyure’s administration. The Friars have not filed a tax return since 2015. There’s no transparency. Most of the celebrity members are long gone, as well as high profile media types who sniffed a rat a long time ago. The reputation of the Friars Club, once held high in esteem by the likes Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lewis, Alan King, and Freddie Roman, is in tatters.
The club itself, on East 55th St., is closed for renovations this summer. I began my reporting on the criminal chaos at the Friars several years ago.
In the last year, the club has had to settle a million dollar lawsuit brought by its former receptionist against member and celebrity wrangler Bruce Charet, who is supported by Gyure (ironically pronounced “jury”) and vice versa.
What’s pretty clear is that the Friars Club as a place for actual celebs is over. Billy Crystal, who was honored earlier this year, has told friends he regretted accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award — especially when he realized the other honoree was an ex con and (presumably) former mob associate.
Coincidentally, Judge Buchwald is married to a man named Don Buchwald, but it’s not the same Don Buchwald who is Howard Stern’s long time agent and a former Friars members. The judge is 75 and sounds like she may be ready for assisted living.