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Exclusive: Amy Adams Breaks Down and Tells 7 Year Old Daughter the Facts of Life: Mom’s a Movie Star

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Here’s the most outstandingly cute anecdote from the Golden Globes.

File this under: Mom, exactly what is it that you do?

On Sunday night, Amy Adams had to tell her 7 year old daughter, Aviana, the facts of life: Mom is a movie star.

I ran into Adams on Monday night in West Hollywood at Craig’s having a quiet dinner with actor-director Darren LeGallo and producer Chuck Roven and his wife, Stephanie.

Did you watch the Golden Globes, I asked them?

Amy and Darren then told this story. “Aviana saw the people getting the awards and she said, Mom, do you have one?”

Amy replied: “Well, as a matter of fact, I do. I have two.” Amy won back to back Globes in 2014 and 2015 for “Big Eyes” and “American Hustle.”

Aviana asked: Where are they? “They’re up on a shelf,” Amy told her and took them down.

How did the little girl react? I wish I could show you the pictures, but the rights belong to Aviana– of the little girl having dinner on her TV table, big grin, with a Golden Globe on either side of her plate. It’s a sight to behold! Wait til Aviana finds out her mom also has 5 Oscar nominations!

Directors Guild TV Nominations Include “Game of Thrones,” “Veep,” “Stranger Things,” “Master of None,” “Handmaid’s Tale”

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The DGA has just issued its TV nominees. There are several for HBO, naturally, as well as Netflix. Hulu and Amazon. There are none for the major networks, and zero for Showtime.

The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series for 2017 are (in alphabetical order):

 

THE DUFFER BROTHERS

Stranger Things, “Chapter Nine: The Gate”
(Netflix)

The Duffer Brothers‘ Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: Timothy Lonsdale
  • First Assistant Director: Richard Denault
  • Second Assistant Director: John R. Bonaccorse
  • Second Second Assistant Directors: David Champion, Robert S. Hoffman
  • Additional Second Assistant Directors: Clayton Thompson, Tyler Smith

This is Mr. Matt Duffer’s and Mr. Ross Duffer’s second DGA Award nomination. They were previously nominated in this same category in 2016 for Stranger Things, “Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers.”

 

REED MORANO

The Handmaid’s Tale, “Offred”

(Hulu)

 

Ms. Morano’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: Joe Boccia

 

This is Ms. Morano’s first DGA Award nomination.

 

JEREMY PODESWA

Game of Thrones, “The Dragon and the Wolf”

(HBO)

 

This is Mr. Podeswa’s second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in the Movies for Television and Mini-Series category in 2010 for The Pacific, “Home.”

 

MATT SHAKMAN

Game of Thrones, “The Spoils of War”

(HBO)

 

This is Mr. Shakman’s first DGA Award nomination.

 

ALAN TAYLOR

Game of Thrones, “Beyond the Wall”

(HBO)

 

Mr. Taylor’s Directorial Team:

  • First Assistant Director: Toby Ford

 

This is Mr. Taylor’s third DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this same category in 2008 for Mad Men, “The Mountain King.” He won the DGA Award in this category in 2007 for his Mad Men pilot “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.”

 

 

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COMEDY SERIES

 

The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series for 2017 are (in alphabetical order):

 

 

AZIZ ANSARI

Master of None, “The Thief”

(Netflix)

 

Mr. Ansari’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Managers: Gwen Bialic, Igor Srubshchik
  • First Assistant Director: Christo Morse
  • Second Assistant Director: Ellen Parnett

 

This is Mr. Ansari’s first DGA Award nomination.

 

MIKE JUDGE

Silicon Valley, “Server Error”

(HBO)

 

Mr. Judge’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: Tyler Romary
  • First Assistant Director: Nick Mastandrea
  • Second Assistant Director: Heather Wagner‑Wang
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Chris Riddle
  • Additional Second Assistant Director: Gordon Freeman

 

This is Mr. Judge’s fourth DGA Award nomination – all in this category for episodes of Silicon Valley. He was previously nominated in 2016 for “Founder Friendly,” in 2015 for “Binding Arbitration” and in 2014 for “Minimum Viable Product.”

MELINA MATSOUKAS

Master of None, “Thanksgiving”

(Netflix)

Ms. Matsoukas’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Managers: Gwen Bialic, Igor Srubshchik
  • First Assistant Director: Christo Morse
  • Second Assistant Director: Ellen Parnett
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Dustin Bewley
  • Location Manager: Julie Sage

This is Ms. Matsoukas’s first DGA Award nomination.

BETH McCARTHY‑MILLER

Veep, “Chicklet”

(HBO)

Ms. McCarthy‑Miller’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: David Hyman
  • First Assistant Director: Dale Stern
  • Second Assistant Director: Jeff Rosenberg
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Yarden Levo
  • Additional Second Assistant Director: Chalis Romero

This is Ms. McCarthy-Miller’s twelfth DGA Award nomination. She won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series in 2013 for the 30 Rock episode “Hogcock!/Last Lunch.” She was also nominated that year, together with Rob Ashford, in the Movies for Television and Mini-Series category for The Sound of Music Live! She was previously nominated in the Comedy Series category for 30 Rock episodes “Live from Studio 6H” in 2012, “Live Show” in 2010, “The Reunion Episode #304” in 2008 and “Somebody to Love” in 2007. She won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety twice, in 2001 for America: A Tribute to Heroes (co-directed with Joel Gallen) and in 2000 for the “Val Kilmer and U2” episode of Saturday Night Live. She was also twice nominated in that category for Saturday Night Live episodes “Christopher Walken and The Foo Fighters” in 2003 and the 25th Anniversary episode in 1999. She was also nominated in 2015 in the Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials category for Adele Live in New York City.

AMY SHERMAN‑PALLADINO

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”

(Amazon)

Ms. Sherman‑Palladino’s Directorial Team:

Unit Production Managers: Frank Covino, Dhana Rivera Gilbert

First Assistant Director: Mariela Comitini

Second Assistant Director: Soren Miltich

Second Second Assistant Director: Kyle Burstein

Location Manager: Michael Buonanno

This is Ms. Sherman‑Palladino’s first DGA Award nomination.

MOVIES FOR TELEVISION AND MINI‑SERIES

 

The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini‑Series for 2017 are (in alphabetical order):

 

SCOTT FRANK

Godless

(Netflix)

 

Mr. Frank’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Managers: Alton Walpole, Michael Malone
  • First Assistant Directors: Aldric La’auli Porter, Eric Henriquez
  • Second Assistant Directors: Eric Glasser, Kevin O’Neil
  • Second Second Assistant Directors: Jai James, C.J. Neels, Ronan O’Connor
  • Additional Second Assistant Directors: Kathryn Olguin, Jessica Richey, Joe Bufalino

 

This is Mr. Frank’s first DGA Award nomination.

 

BARRY LEVINSON

The Wizard of Lies

(HBO)

 

Mr. Levinson’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Managers: Amy Herman, Joseph E. Iberti
  • First Assistant Director: Michele Ziegler
  • Second Assistant Director: Xanthus Valan
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Jakub Porembski
  • Location Manager: Andrew D. Cooke

 

This is Mr. Levinson’s sixth DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this same category in 2010 for You Don’t Know Jack. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film in 1988 for Rain Man, and was previously nominated in that category in 1990 for Avalon and in 1991 for Bugsy. He was also nominated in the Dramatic Series category in 1993 for his Homicide: Life on the Street episode “Gone for Goode.”

 

KYRA SEDGWICK

Story of a Girl

(Lifetime)

 

This is Ms. Sedgwick’s first DGA Award nomination.

 

JEAN‑MARC VALLÉE

Big Little Lies

(HBO)

 

Mr. Vallée’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Managers: Barbara A. Hall, G.D. Fienberg
  • First Assistant Director: David Ticotin
  • Second Assistant Director: Christine Danahy
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Bob Riley
  • Additional Second Assistant Directors: Bryan Landrine, Rob Burgess, Allison Rushton, Mallory Squeo

 

This is Mr. Vallée’s first DGA Award nomination.

 

GEORGE C. WOLFE

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

(HBO)

 

Mr. Wolfe’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Managers: Kathryn Dean, Patricia Doherty Hess
  • First Assistant Director: Chris Surgent
  • Second Assistant Director: Takahide Kawakami
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Kevin Breen

 

This is Mr. Wolfe’s second DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini‑Series in 2005 for Lackawanna Blues (in a tie with Joseph Sargent for Warm Springs).

 

 

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VARIETY/TALK/NEWS/SPORTS – REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING

 

The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming for 2017 are (in alphabetical order):

 

ANDRE ALLEN

Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, “#2061”

(TBS)

 

Mr. Allen’s Directorial Team:

  • Associate Directors: Jeremy Hardwick, Pat King
  • Stage Manager: Laura Mack

 

This is Mr. Allen’s first DGA Award nomination.

 

PAUL G. CASEY

Real Time with Bill Maher, “#1527”

(HBO)

 

Mr. Casey’s Directorial Team:

  • Associate Director: Stacy Talbot
  • Stage Managers: Patrick Whitney, Brian Anderson

 

This is Mr. Casey’s fourth DGA Award nomination. He previously was nominated in this category in 2016, 2015 and 2014 for Real Time with Bill Maher, “Show #1437,” “Show #1334” and “Show #1226.”

 

JIM HOSKINSON

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, “Joe Biden/Elton John”

(CBS)

 

Mr. Hoskinson’s Directorial Team:

  • Associate Directors: Yvonne De Mare, Karen Yaeger
  • Stage Manager: Mark McKenna, Jeff Leib, Susan Schroer

 

This is Mr. Hoskinson’s fifth DGA Award nomination. He previously was nominated in this category in 2016 for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, “Episode #0179” and in 2015, 2013 and 2007 for The Colbert Report episodes “11040, “ “10004” and “3052.”

 

DON ROY KING

Saturday Night Live, “Host: Jimmy Fallon”

(NBC)

 

Mr. King’s Directorial Team:

  • Associate Directors: Michael Mancini, Michael Poole, Bob Caminiti
  • Stage Managers: Gena Rositano, Chris Kelly

 

This is Mr. King’s twelfth DGA Award nomination. He previously won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in this category for Saturday Night Live, “Host: Dave Chappelle” in 2016, and for Saturday Night Live, “Host: Justin Timberlake” in 2013. Mr. King also won the DGA Award for Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials for Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special in 2015. He was previously nominated for Saturday Night Live episodes in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014, and in 2015 in the Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming category for the Saturday Night Live episode, “Host: Tracy Morgan/Musical Guest: Demi Lovato.”

 

PAUL PENNOLINO

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, “French Elections”

(HBO)

 

Mr. Pennolino’s Directorial Team:

  • Associate Director: Elliot Mendelson
  • Stage Managers: Mark McKenna, Susan Schroer

 

This is Mr. Pennolino’s third DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2016 for Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. He is also nominated this year in the Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials category for Full Frontal with Samantha Bee Presents Not the White House Correspondents Dinner.

 

 

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VARIETY/TALK/NEWS/SPORTS – SPECIALS

 

The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials for 2017 are (in alphabetical order):

 

STAN LATHAN

Dave Chappelle: The Age of Spin

(Netflix)

 

Mr. Lathan’s Directorial Team:

  • Associate Director: Sara Niimi
  • Stage Manager: Rob Sellers

 

This is Mr. Lathan’s first DGA Award nomination.

 

LINDA MENDOZA

Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize Honoring David Letterman

(PBS)

 

Ms. Mendoza’s Directorial Team:

  • Associate Directors: Dora Mendoza, Kelly Hernacki
  • Stage Managers: Arthur Lewis, Mark McKenna, Lou Moore

 

This is Ms. Mendoza’s third DGA Award nomination. She was previously nominated in this same category in 2016 for Smithsonian Salutes Ray Charles: In Performance at the White House. She was also nominated in the Musical Variety category in 2010 for Paul McCartney: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in Performance at The White House.

 

PAUL PENNOLINO

Full Frontal with Samantha Bee Presents Not the White House Correspondents‘ Dinner

(TBS)

 

Mr. Pennolino’s Directorial Team:

  • Associate Directors: Jeremy Hardwick, Mike Walker, Libby Minarek, Jonathan Harris
  • Stage Managers: Laura Mack, April Smith, Kenyon Noble

 

This is Mr. Pennolino’s third DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2016 for Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. He is also nominated this year in the Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming category for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, “French Elections.”

 

AMY SCHUMER

Amy Schumer: The Leather Special

(Netflix)

 

This is Ms. Schumer’s second DGA Award nomination. She was previously nominated in the Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming category in 2015 for Inside Amy Schumer, “12 Angry Men” with Director Ryan McFaul

 

GLENN WEISS

The 89th Annual Academy Awards

(ABC)

 

Mr. Weiss’s Directorial Team:

  • Associate Directors: Ken Diego, Eve Adair, Susan Kopensky, Lori Margules, Robin Mishkin Abrams, Michael Polito
  • Stage Managers: Gary Natoli, Rita Cossette, Dave Cove, John Esposito, Valdez Flagg, Chris Hines, Alissa Levisohn Hoyo, Arthur Lewis, Roxanne Lozano, Ron Paul, Tammy Raab, Jason Seligman, Jackie Stathis, Cheryl Teetzel‑Moore, Debbie Williams, Ari Woog

 

This is Mr. Weiss’s fourteenth DGA Award nomination. He previously won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials in 2013, 2014 and 2016 for the 67th, 68th and 70thAnnual Tony Awards and in the Musical Variety category in 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012 for the 61st, 64th, 65th, and 66thAnnual Tony Awards.  He was also nominated in the Musical Variety category in 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008 for the 55th, 56th, 59th, 60th, and 62nd Annual Tony Awards. Additionally, Mr. Weiss was nominated in 2015 for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series, together with Rob Ashford, for Peter Pan Live!

 

 

***

 

 

REALITY PROGRAMS

 

The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs for 2017 are (in alphabetical order):

 

HISHAM ABED

Encore!, “Pilot”

(ABC)

 

This is Mr. Abed’s second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category for The Hills.

 

JOHN GONZALEZ

Live PD, “Episode 50”

(A&E)

 

Mr. Gonzalez’s Directorial Team:

  • Associate Director: Janine Devito
  • Stage Manager: Jeff Buda

 

This is Mr. Gonzalez’s second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2016 for Live PD.

 

BRIAN SMITH

MasterChef, “Vegas Deluxe & Oyster Shucks”

(FOX)

 

Mr. Smith’s Directorial Team:

  • Associate Director: Anna Moulaison
  • Stage Managers: Drew Lewandowski, Brady Hess

 

This is Mr. Smith’s fifth DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category for MasterChef in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 – and in 2016 for S.T.R.O.N.G.

 

ADAM VETRI

Dare to Live, “Chainsmokers”

(MTV)

 

Mr. Vetri’s Directorial Team:

  • Associate Director: Ian Blankenship

 

This is Mr. Vetri’s third DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2014, and won in 2015, for Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge.

 

KENT WEED

Spartan: The Ultimate Team Challenge, “Season Premiere”

(NBC)

 

Mr. Weed’s Directorial Team:

  • Associate Director: Ben Simms
  • Stage Manager: Dave Massey

 

This is Mr. Weed’s second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2008 for I Survived a Japanese Game Show.

 

 

***

 

 

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

 

The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs for 2017 are (in alphabetical order):

 

NIKI CARO

Anne with an E, “Your Will Shall Decide Your Destiny”

(Netflix)

 

This is Ms. Caro’s first DGA Award nomination.

 

 

BENJAMIN LEHMANN

The Magical Wand Chase: A Sesame Street Special

(HBO)

 

Mr. Lehmann’s Directorial Team:

  • Associate Directors: Yori Tondrowski, Frank Campagna
  • Stage Managers: Anne Marie Dentici Gammon, Shawn Havens, Theresa Anderson
  • Location Managers: Steven Carbajal, Jillian Stricker

 

This is Mr. Lehmann’s first DGA Award nomination.

 

LILY MARIYE

Just Add Magic, “Just Add Meddling”

(Amazon)

 

Ms. Mariye’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: Pixie Wespiser
  • First Assistant Director: Gregory Guzik
  • Second Assistant Director: Darrell Woodard
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Tara Nicole Tjahjadi

 

This is Ms. Mariye’s first DGA Award nomination.

 

ALISON McDONALD

An American Girl Story: Summer Camp, Friends for Life

(Amazon)

 

Ms. McDonald’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: Richard G. King
  • First Assistant Director: Otto Penzato
  • Second Assistant Director: David Berke
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Yarden Levo

 

This is Ms. McDonald’s first DGA Award nomination.

 

MATTHEW O’NEILL AND THALIA SODI

15: A Quinceañera Story: Zoey

(HBO)

 

 

 

This is Mr. O’Neill’s first DGA Award nomination.

 

This is Ms. Sodi’s first DGA Award nomination.

 

 

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COMMERCIALS

 

The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials for 2017 are (in alphabetical order):

 

MARTIN de THURAH

(Epoch Films)

 

Festival, StubHub – Goodby Silverstein

  • First Assistant Director: Charles Conner

 

Machines, StubHub – Goodby Silverstein

  • First Assistant Director: Charles Conner

 

Mad World, WealthSimple – WealthSimple In House

  • First Assistant Director: Jey Wada
  • Second Assistant Director: Curtis Smith

 

This is Mr. de Thurah’s second DGA Award nomination. He previously won in this category in 2013 for The Man Who Couldn’t Slow Down (Hennessy VS) and Human Race (Acura MDX 2014).

 

ALMA HAR’EL

(Epoch Films)

 

Love Without Bias, P&G – Wieden + Kennedy

  • First Assistant Director: George Miles Johnstone

 

This is Ms. Har’el’s first DGA Award nomination.

 

HOFFMAN/METOYER

(MJZ)

 

Anthem, KitchenAid – DigitasLBi

  • Second Assistant Director: Frankie Pagnotta
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Matt Ross

 

Go Further, Ford – GTB

  • First Assistant Director: David Webb
  • Second Assistant Director: David Marnell
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Jeff Tavani

 

This is the first DGA nomination for Mr. Will Hoffman and Mr. Julius Metoyer.

 

 

MILES JAY

(SMUGGLER)

 

Alive, Bose QuietComfort 35 Headphones – Grey

  • First Assistant Director: Gareth Moses

 

Calling JohnMalkovich.com, Squarespace – John X Hannes

 

Who is JohnMalkovich.com?, Squarespace – John X Hannes

 

This is Mr. Jay’s second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2015 for It Can Wait (ESPN).

 

ISAIAH SERET

(Biscuit Filmworks)

 

Growing Up, Samsung Galaxy – Wieden + Kennedy Portland

  • First Assistant Director: Howell Caldwell
  • Second Assistant Director: Ben Randolph
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Shauna Frontera

 

I Love You, Samsung Great – Wieden + Kennedy Portland

  • First Assistant Director: Brian Stevens
  • Second Assistant Director: Steve Bagnara

 

Never Too Composed, Kohler – DDB Chicago

  • First Assistant Director: Eric Topp
  • Second Assistant Director: Rob Nia

 

This is Mr. Seret’s first DGA Award nomination.

 

 

***

 

 

DOCUMENTARY

 

The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary for 2017 are (in alphabetical order):

 

 

KEN BURNS & LYNN NOVICK

The Vietnam War

(PBS)

 

This is Mr. Burns’ and Ms. Novick’s second DGA Award nomination. They were previously nominated in this category in 2007 for The War.

 

BRYAN FOGEL

Icarus

(Netflix)

 

This is Mr. Fogel’s first DGA Award nomination.

 

MATTHEW HEINEMAN

City of Ghosts

(Amazon Studios)

 

 

This is Mr. Heineman’s second DGA Award nomination. He won in this category in 2015 for Cartel Land

 

STEVE JAMES

Abacus: Small Enough to Jail

(PBS)

 

This is Mr. James’s fourth DGA Award nomination. He won in this category in 1994 for Hoop Dreams, and was also nominated in this category in 2008 and 2011 for At The Death House Door and Frontline: The Interrupters.

 

ERROL MORRIS

Wormwood

(Netflix)

Mr. Morris’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: Caroline Baron
  • Assistant Unit Production Manager: Sean Fogel
  • Stage Managers: Kamen Velkovsky, Keith Marlin
  • Location Manager: David Velasco

Bad Guys Win: Oscar Winner Paul Haggis Forced to Resign from Successful Haiti Charity After Accusations

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I am very sad to learn that Oscar winning director and writer Paul Haggis has resigned from the important charity he started, Artists for Peace and Justice.

Paul, who won two Oscars for “Crash” and was nominated for writing “Million Dollar Baby,” literally willed APJ into existence before the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake. Prior to the quake he’d already been raising money and enlisting celebrity friends to help one of the poorest nations in the world. But once the quake hit, Haggis went into overdrive. He’s raised millions of dollars for rebuilding, for education, etc. In the last couple of years he’s even joined forces with Sean Penn and his Haiti charity to make a difference in the impoverished country.

Now because of accusations of sexual misconduct that are unfounded and unproven, Haggis has stepped away from APJ. This is tragic.  His first accuser apparently demanded $9 million to keep quiet, so Haggis went to the US Attorney because he was being extorted. The follow up accusers haven’t asked for anything nor made actual accusations– they’ve just waved the magic wand of social media to brand Haggis.

The accusers– particularly the secondary ones– could easily be attached to Scientology. Haggis, a former member of the cult religion, broke free a few years ago and has been a constant public critic of the notoriously vengeful group. Haggis was the main source for Lawrence Wright’s book “Going Clear” and the documentary of the same name by Alex Gibney. It’s not out of the question that Scientology has plotted against him.

Haggis has a lot of lady friends, including his ex wife, who are steadfastly behind him. Unlike some other recent alleged misconducters, Haggis is not the guy who everyone said, “Oh yeah, sure.” Quite the contrary. Something is wrong here the shame of it is that before it’s straightened out a lot of damage will be done– not only to Haggis but to the people of Haiti who depend on his dedication and unwavering loyalty.

 

Disaster: James Franco’s Times Talk Cancelled as Accusations of Sexual Misconduct Heat Up on Social Media

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Wednesday night’s live Times Talk with “Disaster Artist” star and director James Franco and his brother, actor Dave Franco, has been cancelled.

Franco just won a Golden Globe Award for playing off beat real life loser filmmaker Tommy Wiseau. On the Globes broadcast he brought Wiseau up on stage but then cut him off from speaking. That didn’t win him any new fans. I thought it was unsuual for Franco, who is usually very generous to other actors. But maybe he knew best in that situation.

Still, there have been rumors for weeks that Franco was going to be caught up in the recent tsunami of accusations against actors regarding sexual conduct. And sure enough, on Twitter during the Globes, actress Ally Sheedy Tweeted her surprise that Franco was being rewarded with a statue given his history. She deleted it, but enough people captured the comment to make noise.

And then within minutes another actress, Violet Paley, Tweeted “Cute TIMESUP pin James Franco. Remember the time you pushed my head down in a car towards your exposed penis & that other time you told my friend to come to your hotel when she was 17? After you had already been caught doing that to a different 17 year old?”

True or not, Paley’s Tweet instigated an avalanche of accusations. Now the Times Talk has been cancelled– a mistake, I fear, because it sends a signal of guilt. Of course, Franco does have one– just one– episode in his recent past in which he wound up texting an underage girl. He explained it by saying he obviously didn’t understand how old she was.

Unlike a lot of the alleged sexual predators of recent note, James Franco comes from a close knit, solid nuclear family. I actually knew his grandmother. His late father was a lovely guy who died much too young and suddenly from a widowmaker heart attack. His mother is a writer and very cool. So all of this seems hard to believe, and I guess we’ll have to see how it all plays out. It would be a real shame if a very good career was tarnished here for no reason.

Box Office: China Opening for “Last Jedi” Half Off Mark of “Force Awakens” at $27 Mil

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WITH SPOILERS

“The Last Jedi” just doesn’t catch a break.

The Rian Johnson directed “Star Wars” eighth episode came in 2nd last weekend when it opened in China. The final take was $27.8 million.

That was  just about 50% off of the China opening weekend for “The Force Awakens.” That film started with over $52 million and went on to make $124 million total in China.

At this rate, “The Last Jedi” can look for maybe $60 million in China. That’s far off what was expected.

Historians will look back at “The Last Jedi” with some interesting theories. Do you give the people what they want and expect? Or do you just follow your own plan and say to hell with it?  Johnson delivered a good film but with a lot of downers for the ending. And the audience responded in kind.

Tina Turner, Queen, Neil Diamond, Emmylou Harris Among Grammy Award Lifetime Achievement Honors

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The Grammy Awards have announced their Lifetime Achievement Awards honorees.

They include Tina Turner, Queen, Neil Diamond, Emmylou Harris, The Meters, the legendary Wrecking Crew drummer Hal Blaine, and the late jazz great Louis Jordan.

Trustee Awards are going to Sire Records founder Seymour Stein, and the late great concert promoter Bill Graham, of Fillmore West fame.

The awards will be presented at a concert next summer which will hopefully be broadcast in the fall. Last year’s show was a huge success.

“This year’s Special Merit Awards recipients are a prestigious group of diverse and influential creators who have crafted or contributed to some of the most distinctive recordings in music history,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. “These exceptionally inspiring figures are being honored as legendary performers, creative architects, and technical visionaries.”

There are no accidents in life, by the way. Tina Turner is coming with a Broadway show soon. Queen has a Freddie Mercury biopic set for the fall.

Extra special kudos to Seymour Stein, who gave us the Ramones, the Talking Heads, the Pretenders, Madonna, and even Plastic Bertrand!

 

 

Movie Music Is in the Air: Phillip Glass Scores with “Jane,” Watch Andra Day, Common Perform Oscar-Buzzed Song on “Colbert”

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 Movie music is in the air.

DIANE WARREN: Andra Day and Common performed “Stand Up for Something” last night on Stephen Colbert. The song by Diane Warren is nominated for the Grammy and SHOULD be an Oscar nominee as well. Check it out.

 

PHILIP GLASS: Count red Hollywood hot Director/Writer J.J.  Abrams (and Angelina Jolie who brought her kids to the LA Hollywood Bowl premiere) as devout fans of “Jane,” the National Geographic’s mesmerizing documentary awards contender, directed by Brett Morgen. The film, about the trailblazer conservationist Jane Goodall, is receiving kudos worldwide.  Abrams recently hosted a screening/reception in LA.  J.J. is also a huge fan of the score by legendary composer and three time Oscar Nominee Philip Glass, who at 80 years old has never brought home the golden statue. This hopeful nomination would mark the first time that a documentary score has been nominated.  Music lovers are still peeved that the esteemed Glass did not win for his work in the acclaimed “The Hours.”  So he’s overdue to win now.  Academy, you listening?

Check out an abbreviated one minute and 19 seconds sample of Glass’s glorious score: 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=12KPzQq2FyDYU1pYLs7krLGys8fDrkGEH

Dylan Farrow Continues to Attack Woody Allen Despite HER Brother Disagreeing and Mia Farrow’s Brother in Jail for Child Molestation

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Dylan Farrow continues to attack filmmaker Woody Allen, who co-adopted her with Mia Farrow in the 1980s.

This is despite the fact that Mia Farrow’s brother, John, is serving a 10 year sentence in prison in Maryland for sexually abusing two underage boys. Dylan is using Twitter as a screed for “victims.” But she has never once addressed the victims of her uncle, the real criminal in her family.

Dylan also ignores the statements of her brother Moses Farrow, also adopted by Woody and Mia. Moses Farrow, a therapist and photographer. From Moses’s story: Moses believes that in no way did Woody sexually abuse Dylan. The molestation accusation against Woody was “calculated. Mia had a judge who seemed sympathetic to her case, she found a lawyer who helped craft her arguments, she used her influence as a mother over her own children and used it to gain favor in the media.”

Dylan’s blindly loyal fans refuse to read Moses’s statement posted this week. They also fail to see that three of the children Mia Farrow adopted are now dead. Dylan’s followers are like Trump supporters. They cherry pick their facts. It’s pretty interesting that Mia cut Moses off when he finally broke ranks and spoke to Woody Allen. His point of view or memories didn’t count. The Farrows deny Moses’s reality– and he’s a trained therapist.

 

BAFTA Nominations: Exclude Lady Bird, The Post, Get Out, But Honor Call Me, Dunkirk, Darkest Hour, Shape of Water, 3 Billboards

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BAFTA– the British Academy–has announced their nominees. They totally snubbed The Post and the very British Victoria and Abdul. They are gone. They also excluded Lady Bird from Best Picture, But remember these are British awards.

 

Best Supporting Actor

Alison Janney

Kristin Scott Thomas

Laurie Metcalf

Lesley Manville

Octavia Spencer

Best Supporting Actor

Christopher Plummer

Hugh Grant

Sam Rockwell

Willem Dafoe

Woody Harrelson

 

Original Screenplay

Call Me By Your Name

Death of Stalin

Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool

Mollys Game

Paddington 2

 

Original Screenplay

Get Out

I Tonya

Lady Bird

Shape of Water

Three Billboards

 

Best Directors

Denis Villeneuve

Luca Guadgnini

Christopher Nolan

Guillermo del Toro

Martin McDonagh

 

Best Actress

Annette Bening

Frances McDormand

Margot Robbie

Sally Hawkins

Saorise Ronan

 

Best Actor

Daniel Day Lewis

Daniel  Kaluuya

Gary Oldman

Jamie Bell

Timothee Chalamet

 

Best Picture

Call Me By Your Name

Darkest Hour

Dunkirk

Shape of Water

Three Billboards

Exclusive: Paris Hilton In Love, Engaged, Planning Wedding, Aiming for 1st Baby, Has Named Picked Out

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There is no one more fun, or slyly smarter than Paris Hilton. I’ve known her and her family– dad Rick, mom Kathy, superstar sister Nicky– a long time. So it was a real treat on Sunday night after all the Golden Globe parties to run into Kathy, Paris, and Paris’s fiancee Chris Zylka at where else?– the Beverly Hilton– as I was coming and they were going home.

They were accompanied by a few friends including the great rock and roll PR man Elliott Mintz, who is the premier John Lennon exit, is ever faithful to the legendary Yoko One, and once repped both Bob Dylan and Diana Ross.

Kathy looks sensational and she is now a grandmother to Nicky’s two children. I know Kathy’s sisters are famous to reality show fans, but this grandma is the leader of the pack– very funny and full of adventure. Of course, she’s helping Paris plan her wedding to Zylka, who will star this year opposite Jessica Chastain and Kit Harrington in Xavier Dolan’s “The Life and Death of John Donovan.”

Paris and Chris are in love. Look at the pictures I snapped at 1am. “We haven’t been apart yet for more than three  hours at a time,” Paris declared. She is radiant.

So when is the wedding? “This year,”she said. “And I swear, we will have baby by the end of the year. I’m ready!”

She’s also got a named picked out. “The first one will be called London,” she said. “Boy or girl.” What if she has twins? “If it’s a girl we’ll call her…Paris!”

And what was on the agenda for Monday? “I’m flying to Chicago to close a major deal,” she said. “People think I’m an airhead, but I’ve got [dozens of lines] of jewelry and perfume.” She laughed. “They don’t know what to do.”

So hold on: 2018 is the year of Paris Hilton. And that will be fun!

 

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