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Oscar Winner Danny Boyle No Longer Directing New James Bond Movie: Sam Mendes Coming Back?

Roger Friedman
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Oscar Winner Danny Boyle No Longer Directing New James Bond Movie: Sam Mendes Coming Back?

Oscar winner Danny Boyle is out as the director of James Bond 25.

Producers Barbara Broccoli, Michael Wilson, and star Daniel Craig announced Boyle’s departure “due to creative differences” on Twitter early this afternoon.

The film is in pre-production, which means there won’t be too much leeway getting a replacement. The obvious choice is Sam Mendes, director of the last two Bond movies, “Skyfall” and “Spectre.”

Boyle won the Oscar for “Slumdog Millionaire” and is highly regarded for many other films including “127 Hours” and “Trainspotting.”

Boyle is also involved in a Richard Curtis project that includes the Beatles’ music.

When I saw him a few months ago, Boyle said he was ready to direct Bond but was waiting for a script. Not long after, he was announced as the director.

So stay tuned. Will Mendes return? Will the Bond team find someone else? And why has there been such a flurry of activity around Idris Elba when Craig was already announced? Is the whole film in jeopardy again?

It’s a case for James Bond! The producers sound shaken, if not stirred.

 

Madonna Strikes Out at VMA’s, Barely Mentions Aretha Franklin During Self-Absorbed Tribute

Roger Friedman
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Madonna Strikes Out at VMA’s, Barely Mentions Aretha Franklin During Self-Absorbed Tribute

Madonna’s self absorbed tribute to Aretha Franklin is the laughing stock of the internet. As now widely documented, Madonna made it all about her — her struggles, her trials and tribulations, her idiotic semi-African Halloween costume.

Are we surprised? Not a bit. It reminded me of Madonna’s documentary about Africa, called “I Am Because We Are.” The film showed no appreciation of the continent, just Madonna’s limited worldview. We dubbed it “We Are Because I Am.”

Madonna and Aretha Franklin have nothing to do with each other. What was the point? Why did MTV, so irrelevant at this point, choose a suburban white girl with a processed voice to honor the Queen of Soul? I’m sure Janet Jackson, out with a big hit– something Madonna hasn’t had in 20 years– was available.

What a shame. I’m sure we can expect better from the American Music Awards on October 9th, and the Grammys, in February. At least we know Madonna will not be invited to Clive Davis’s Madison Square Garden tribute to Aretha on November 14th. Those performers and speakers will be of a higher quality, and real substance.

For a real tribute to Aretha, read Sam Moore in today’s Variety.

Asia Argento’s Forgotten October 2017 Kurt Cobain Tweet Bizarre Now In Light of New Accusations

Roger Friedman
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Asia Argento’s Forgotten October 2017 Kurt Cobain Tweet Bizarre Now In Light of New Accusations

Shortly after the Harvey Weinstein story broke — around October 5, 2017 — Asia Argento posted a strange Tweet. It quoted Kurt Cobain’s Nirvana song, “Rape Me,” from the album “In Utero.” The US press didn’t mention it but the Italian papers were outraged. Argento said then that this was because Cobain was warning about rape. But in light of the new accusations in the New York Times, this seems particularly odd.

Argento would have us think this was about her interaction with Weinstein. But according to the Times, she was alleged to have raped a 17 year old actor in 2013. A month or so after this post, she began negotiating a payment to the actor, now 21, of $380,000 to keep his mouth shut about what happened. Very twisted stuff here.

Revelation: Anthony Bourdain Was Defending Asia Argento, Attacking Harvey Weinstein, At the Same He Was Helping “Navigate” Settlement with Underage Actor

Roger Friedman
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Revelation: Anthony Bourdain Was Defending Asia Argento, Attacking Harvey Weinstein, At the Same He Was Helping “Navigate” Settlement with Underage Actor

Anthony Bourdain committed suicide on June 8th. His death was a shock until some associated his abrupt decision with tabloid photographs of girlfriend Asia Argento cavorting with a young Italian journalist.

But now this comes to light: Bourdain and his attorney were helping Argento navigate a settlement and $380,000 pay off to an underage actor she allegedly raped. It’s mind boggling.

Bourdain had been Argento’s steadfast supporter, speaking out against her alleged rapist, Harvey Weinstein. He was fully committed to her cause, to #MeToo, and loyal to his girlfriend.

According to the New York Times story this evening, the actor Jimmy Bennett, now 22, sent a letter of intent to Bourdain’s lawyer last November. That lawyer, Richard Hofstetter, was also representing Argento at the time. The intent to sue was also sent to Argento’s lawyer, Carrie Goldberg.

The amount of hypocrisy here is overwhelming. Goldberg, for one, has carried on and on via social media about Weinstein, all the while defending Argento but knowing this case was pressing against Argento. And think of it– the Bennett claim came in November, just a few weeks after the Weinstein case broke.

Bourdain told several interviewers he imagined “Weinstein beaten to death.” He called out Hillary Clinton for not coming down harder on Weinstein when the stories came out. But at the very same time, he was helping Argento gag Jimmy Bennett, who accused her of raping him at 17? What was going on here?

Imagine that Bourdain was helping Argento get out of a jam involving sexual misconduct while he was defending her and denouncing Weinstein. And then at the same time, photos turn up in Italian and UK tabloids of Argento cavorting with a young Italian journalist. Something is not right here. Was Bourdain so caught up in Argento’s cause and then so Svengali’d by here?

Shocking Turn of Events in Harvey Weinstein Case: NY Times Reveals Asia Argento Paid Off Her Own Sex Misconduct Victim

Roger Friedman
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Shocking Turn of Events in Harvey Weinstein Case: NY Times Reveals Asia Argento Paid Off Her Own Sex Misconduct Victim

In what is certainly a shocking turn of events, the Harvey Weinstein story has been turned upside down.

The New York Times reports that actress Asia Argento, who claims Weinstein raped her, actually paid off a young actor named Jimmy Bennett after attacking him sexually. The attack took place in 2013. The pay off — $380,000- – came since the #Metoo revelations started last year– and were concluded this spring right before Argento– who has been militant in her crusade against Weinstein– made a wild impromptu speech at Cannes saying Weinstein had used the festival as hunting ground.

Argento’s stunning hypocrisy comes on the heels of a catastrophic spring and summer for her. Not long after the Cannes Film Festival, her boyfriend– Anthony Bourdain– committed suicide. The suicide followed a week of photographs in Italian and UK newspapers of Argento “canoodling” with a young Italian journalist. Many on line have cited the photos as a catalyst for Bourdain’s suicide.

According to the Times report, Argento had played the mother of actor Jimmy Bennett when he was six years old in 2004 film called “The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things.” Bennett claimed that Argento assaulted him in 2013, when he was 17. The complaint was public because California doesn’t have NDAs to cover civil matters.

According to the Times, Bennett said in a filing against Argento that this is what happened: “Ms. Argento … gave him alcohol to drink and showed him a series of notes she had written to him on hotel stationery. Then she kissed him, pushed him back on the bed, removed his pants and performed oral sex. She climbed on top of him and the two had intercourse, the document says. She then asked him to take a number of photos.”

This revelation should rock the Harvey Weinstein case, especially in New York where Argento was considered a key witness. Weinstein has maintained right along that he and Argento had a four year consensual relationship and that he never raped her. Much of the prosecution’s case has been based on Argento’s forthrightness to testify and to support other alleged victims. But this report would seem to shatter her position of being any assistance in any case against Weinstein.

to be continued…

Janet Jackson Is Back! Has Her First Top 10 Hit Since 2001 With Infectious, Joyous “Made for Now”

Roger Friedman
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Janet Jackson Is Back! Has Her First Top 10 Hit Since 2001 With Infectious, Joyous “Made for Now”

Never say never.

Janet Jackson has her first top 10 hit since 2001 with “Made for Now,” a collaboration with Daddy Yankee.

The record is great, but the response comes straight from an over the top knock out performance on the “Tonight” show on Friday. That, plus the video for the song, has made it number 4 on iTunes, competing with the new Ariana Grande single and the avalanche of sales for Aretha Franklin’s singles.

Janet’s last actual hit was in 2001. That was “Someone to Call My Lover” with Jermaine Dupri. I know, you’re thinking, it can’t be so long ago. But after that Janet’s recording career became a mess. Her last two singles didn’t even chart. And before that, “No Sleeep,” with too many e’s, made it just to number 63.

So what happened? I’ll tell you: “Made for Now” is an actual song, with a chorus that’s conventional, understandable, and singable. Also, the video is ebullient, euphoric, and triumphant. It’s reminiscent of “Smooth.” It’s joyous. Director Dasve Meyer captured some magic, and it’s infectious.

Janet isn’t even on a conventional record label anymore. She released “Made for Now” on her own Rhythm Nation records, distributed by indie group Cinq Records. She’s had 8 million views on YouTube for the video proper. I’ve added the Tonight show clip after that. Janet is back, kids. I’d say this would be the year for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to do the right thing.

One PS: In all those years, Janet never stopped trying. She lived through Michael’s death, her own waning popularity, poor ticket sales, a bad marriage, her crazy family. Persistence– and talent– have paid off.

 

Paul McCartney’s New Single, “Fuh You,” Inspired by Apple Records Banned 1968 Cult Release

Roger Friedman
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Paul McCartney’s New Single, “Fuh You,” Inspired by Apple Records Banned 1968 Cult Release

We all know about the Beatles’ Apple Records. It was started in 1968 by the Fab Four. And those early releases must be on Paul McCartney’s mind these days.

McCartney’s new single from his forthcoming “Egypt Station” album is called, cheekily, “Fuh You.” There are gigantic billboards up in certain locations, sponsored by Spotify, promoting the title.

But the whole “Fuh You” promotion harkens back to 1969, when you couldn’t say such things on the radio. (I’m not sure you can now, except on Spotify.)

The first singles on Apple were the Beatles’ “Hey Jude” (number 1 for seven weeks 50 years ago) and Mary Hopkins’ “Those Were the Days.” Badfinger would follow with “Come and Get It,” as asll as James Taylor with his first album.

But it turns out the record numbered 8 in the Apple Records box set (also available as a track on the Apple greatest hits CD, on amazon.com) was called “The King of Fuh.” The record was credited to an artist named Brute Force. In actuality this was just a nice Jewish kid from Jersey City called Stephen Friedland, who in the 1960s was a member of The Tokens, the group that sang “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” In 1968 he confected a novelty pop song called “King of Fuh” (lyrics includes: “There was a beautiful land called Fuh. And in this land there was a king. And everybody called him the Fuh King”!!!)

Our friend and Beatles scholar Martin Lewis says:

“George Harrison heard the song courtesy of Nat Weiss – the US attorney for the then recently-deceased Beatles manager Brian Epstein. George immediately loved it and licensed the song for release on Apple. By Beatles protocol, this of course required the agreement of all four Beatles. John and George were both enthused fans of the song and Paul and Ringo also gave the release their blessing.

Alas Apple’s UK & US distributors (EMI and Capitol respectively) both point-blank refused to circulate the record because of the references to “Fuh-King”. A couple of thousand copies were covertly pressed by the Beatles and given away to pals of the band and their legendary publicist Derek Taylor. And then the record was done. The King of Fuh was no more…”
And, as noted, it’s now easily available via amazon and the Apple Records’ compilations.

Box Office: Kevin Spacey’s Last Film Has $400 Weekend, Mark Wahlberg’s “Mile 22” Is a Career Low

Roger Friedman
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Box Office: Kevin Spacey’s Last Film Has $400 Weekend, Mark Wahlberg’s “Mile 22” Is a Career Low

For some, it was not a great weekend at the box office.

While “Crazy Rich Asians” secured $25 million and finished at number 1, others were not so lucky.

Kevin Spacey’s final movie before his scandals sank his career, “Billionaire Boys Club,” made less than $500 for the weekend. That’s right– less than five hundred dollars. The movie debuted a few weeks ago on VOD, but no one watched it there either. Spacey has been totally missing in action since accusations of sexual misconduct first surfaced. Since then there have been lawsuits and investigations.

Then there’s the Peter Berg-Mark Wahlberg “Mile 22.” They made $13.6 million for the weekend. It’s not a lifetime low for Wahlberg but pretty close. He makes a lot of movies, and I mean a lot. But in four years this is his worst showing.

Sony/Studio 8 also had a failure this weekend with something called “Alpha.” An origin story of how early man and dogs became friends didn’t make any friends at the box office. The box office was $10 million, the movie is said to have cost $60 million.

It’s the end of summer, there’s a lot of flotsam and jetsam floating around in theaters. Two more weeks, Labor Day will come, and a new season will begin. I’ll bet no one is more anxious than theater owners. I don’t blame them.

Aretha Franklin Takes 21 out of the top 100 iTunes Singles, “Respect” Fends off New Ariana Grande, Janet Jackson Releases

Roger Friedman
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Aretha Franklin Takes 21 out of the top 100 iTunes Singles, “Respect” Fends off New Ariana Grande, Janet Jackson Releases

It’s Saturday morning, forty eight hours after the passing of the greatest singer of our lifetime, Aretha Franklin.

And what a tribute to her the fans have made: Aretha now has 21 of the top 100 singles on the iTunes charts.

The number 1 single is still “Respect,” and Aretha has numbers 2 and 3 also. She has fended off new releases from Janet Jackson and Ariana Grande.

On the albums chart, Aretha’s Greatest Hits is number 2. She has 17 albums in the top 100 all together.

Over on amazon.com’s CDs and Digital downloads chart, Aretha has the top three albums. Then there are about 15 others scattered through the top 100.

Aretha’s posthumous success has also been good for Carole King, who wrote “(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman” with Gerry Goffin and Jerry Wexler in 1968. King’s “Tapestry” album is also selling, with her version recorded three years later.

I know Aretha is watching this whole phenomenon and smiling from heaven. But boy oh boy, we miss her. Still, she and Otis Redding must be having a good time watching “Respect” soar through the world right now!

Box Office: “Crazy Rich Asians” Is Out of the Box Hit, Number 1 for the Weekend, Beats “The Meg”

Roger Friedman
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Box Office: “Crazy Rich Asians” Is Out of the Box Hit, Number 1 for the Weekend, Beats “The Meg”

Never bet against “Crazy Rich Asians.” Jon M. Chu’s Cinderella-esque comedy set in Singapore among upscale Chinese is number 1 for the weekend. Last night the terrifically funny film made $7.6 million, bringing its total since Wednesday to $16 million. By tomorrow night, another $14 million or more will be added.

“Crazy Rich Asians” has become a phenomenon, but almost not a surprise. Warner Bros. marketing was very clever setting it up for weeks and weeks. The smell of success was in the air, that’s for sure. Releasing mid week also helped, since there was nothing else out there except “The Meg,”which already had its big launch, “Mission: Impossible,” already pretty much spent of its audience, and the more serious Spike Lee hit, “Blackkklansman.”

“Crazy Rich Asians” could be called “Chi-nasty,” as in the Chinese version of the TV show “Dynasty.” On its face, it’s a simple story of a girl from the wrong side of the tracks who thinks she might marry into a rich, exclusive family. The only problem is the wicked mother of the potential groom who doesn’t think she’s good enough for her son or the family. We’ve been here before many times.

The screenplay, frankly, is clunky. It reads like “My Big Fat Chinese Wedding.” Some of the material is cringe-worthy. It’s a fish out of water story, true. But an an examination of a culture foreign to us in the west, this is no “Slumdog Millionaire” by any means.

And yet, “Crazy Rich Asians” offers a lot that is unexpected. It’s about empowerment, for one thing. Young women can identify with it as the main character, Constance Wu’s Rachel, is no victim. She rises to the 0ccasion and meets her enemy– potential mother in law played to the hilt by Michelle Yeoh–and vanquishes her. There are also nicely orchestrated subplots for the supporting characters, and a knockout comedy turn by Awkwafina in her second success of the season (the first was “Oceans 8”).

Mostly, you leave “Crazy Rich Asians” on a high note. The audience feels great. Not only do they want a sequel, they want to visit Singapore. It’s the best PR they’ve gotten since the days when it was known for punishing tourists by caning.

Chu’s next big job is directing the movie version of Lin Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights.” Now that we’ve seen what he can really do, that project looks even more exciting. Bring it on!

 

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