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Oscar Bound “Shape of Water” Director Guillermo del Toro: “This film I’m exhaling with”

Leah Sydney
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Oscar Bound “Shape of Water” Director Guillermo del Toro: “This film I’m exhaling with”

The premiere of Guillermo del Toro’s “The Shape of Water,” was held last night at the Motion Picture Academy in Beverly Hills. In all my years of going there, I’ve never seen a rapturous reaction to any film. ever. And I agree. This whimsical, magical fairy tale is at its core a love story, with Del Toro’s signature fanboy sci fi touch.

Poignant and poetic heartbreaking and clever, this film has been a life’s passion for Del Toro and as he told me recently, “this film I’m exhaling with.” Visually it’s masterful. The actors are equally as transcendent. Sally Hawkins plays Eliza, a mute cleaning lady at a government lab in the Cold War era. There they house a top secret monster, aquaman of sorts, which she falls in love with and he her. Del Toro called Hawkins luminous last night as he introduced her and he’s right. Her performance grabs you from her first scene and never lets up.

Octavia Spencer as Hawkins’ best cleaning lady friend and Richard Jenkins (Del Toro dubbed him mystifying and delightful) as her closeted best friend are just wonderful. Octavia has her Oscar, Jenkins, long overdue for his, deserves the golden trophy for this funny and heartbreaking performance. Michael Shannon is menacing as the bad guy government agent and the always wonderful Michael Stuhlbarg as the Russian spy round out this perfect ensemble.

Jenkins told me that he didn’t really know how the film would turn out until he saw it recently. Stulhbarg added that this was all Del Toro’s delicate work, every detail had to be his vision, down to the colors of the scales on the monster. And it all shows in a glorious cinematic experience. Guillermo summed it up perfectly as told the crowd last night that “We live in a time where ideology divides us. This is a movie that speaks too the great love of the ‘other.’ This film is profoundly in love with love and cinema.”

Mariah Carey Needs a Manager as New Single Sells 3,400 Copies, Xmas Show Tix Are Deep Discounted

Roger Friedman
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Mariah Carey Needs a Manager as New Single Sells 3,400 Copies, Xmas Show Tix Are Deep Discounted

It should be a happy time of the year for Mariah Carey. Her “All I Want for Christmas” is always the number 1 holiday song.

But things are a little dire right now commercially. Mariah’s new single, “The Star,” from the Christian based movie of the same name, has sold only 3,400 copies since its release on October 20th. It was met with indifference despite it being a pretty good ballad that shows off Mariah’s famous voice. But there’s been no push from Epic Records, where Mariah signed before LA Reid left the company.

Meanwhile, the animated movie “The Star” about Christ’s birth seen through the eyes of the animals has a good 83 with critics, and will bring in the Christian kids this weekend. That might help Carey.

That’s not all, however. Tickets to Carey’s four Christmas shows at the Beacon Theatre have gone up on discount services like GoldStar. The first two shows have not sold at all. The second two look a little better now, but the full picture hasn’t yet been seen.

Mariah finally cut her most recent manager, Stella Bulochnikov, free last month. But word is her dancer boyfriend, Brian Tanaka, has taken over. That’s a huge mistake, and these examples of career issues should show the singer it’s time to get serious– especially since her 50th birthday gets nearer and nearer.

Here’s a schematic for the Beacon. The dark areas are seats now on discount.

 mariah beacon

Amazon Studios in Da-Nile as Three of Four Oscar Releases Crater, Red Carpet Is Canceled, Premieres are Closed to Press

Roger Friedman
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Amazon Studios in Da-Nile as Three of Four Oscar Releases Crater, Red Carpet Is Canceled, Premieres are Closed to Press

Amazon Studios could really use Cher right now to sing “If We Could Turn Back Time.”

In September things looked so good for the money spending new studio. They’d already had a huge hit with “Manchester by the Sea.” Casey Affleck won Best Actor at the Oscars, Kenneth Lonergan picked up a lot of awards for his screenplay.

Then came “The Big Sick,” which everyone loves and went on to make $42 million via Lions Gate. Again, lots of awards buzz.

The announcement came for the New York Film Festival: all of three of its galas would be Amazon films. Richard Linklater’s “Last Flag Flying” would open, Todd Haynes’ “Wonderstruck” would be the centerpiece, and Woody Allen’s “Wonder Wheel” would close the festival. It was a first, a hat trick, and really exciting.

And now: it’s all in cinders. Amazon president Roy Price is gone from the company after a sexual harassment charges. That’s the worst of it, kind of.

On the financial front, both “Last Flag Flying” and “Wonderstruck” are dead. The former has struggled to get $270,366 in 12 days of very limited release. Not even stars like Steve Carell and Bryan Cranston have been able to attract an audience. The latter film has made $826,697 in 24 days. Good films, decent reviews, but nothing.

(This doesn’t even count the failures of “Brad’s Status” or “The Only Living Boy in New York,” each DOA.)

And then there’s Woody Allen’s “Wonder Wheel.” On Tuesday, Amazon held a non-premiere at the Russian Tea Room with no red carpet and press banned completely. This followed the New York Film Festival opening last month that also had no red carpet. Still, without a carpet, someone got Woody on the fly to comment about Harvey Weinstein. And that went like a lead balloon.

“Wonder Wheel” has a middling 52 rating from critics. Kate Winslet has been talked about for a Best Actress nomination, but she can’t give interviews because everyone’s asking why she works with Woody Allen, whose controversies have become unfortunately linked to Weinstein’s and others. In a strong year for lead actresses, Winslet is not in good shape Oscar- wise. The box office future for “Wonder Wheel” isn’t great.

Amazon, feared in September, now has to count on “The Big Sick” to come through for them. Kumail Nanjiani’s lovely comedy should get a Golden Globe nod for Best Comedy/Musical. And Holly Hunter has a shot in Best Supporting Actress. But beyond that, “The Big Sick” may just remain a little gem with good box office and happy memories–and no sequel.

Will 2017 be Amazon’s last flag flying? Not at all. But it just shows, it was impossible to predict anything with certainty in this year’s Oscar race. We have all been in da Nile.

 

Johnny Depp Stars in X Rated Marilyn Manson Video with Orgy Scene: He Really Wants Out of Disney Movies

Roger Friedman
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Johnny Depp Stars in X Rated Marilyn Manson Video with Orgy Scene: He Really Wants Out of Disney Movies

Johnny Depp must really want Disney to dump him from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies.

He’s starring in an X rated Marilyn Manson music video that features an orgy and a three way romp. In this video, Johnny is no Lone Ranger.

This should pretty much preclude Depp’s continuing with Disney in family films– or even Willy Wonka or Alice in Wonderland films.

“Mommy, isn’t that—-?”

“Dear, come away from the TV please.” Catch the action starting around 3:30. Ypu’ll notice Johnny has a tattoo of daughter Lily Rose’s name on his chest, plainly seen as pursues the sexual adventure. She must be so proud.

 

*********please donate to Radio Man’s Patreon campaign–he’s homeless and needs our help!

Why Isn’t Bradley Cooper Playing Famed War Photographer Jonathan Alpeyrie?

Roger Friedman
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Why Isn’t Bradley Cooper Playing Famed War Photographer Jonathan Alpeyrie?

jonathan alpeureI’m still catching up from yesterday, one of those rare days when you spend the entire time away from the desk, and meet everyone at the same time.

So it was on Tuesday when I went to a lunch for Annette Bening (she deserves a nomination for “Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool”), another lunch for 38 year old war photographer Jonathan Alpeyrie, a master class tea with 89 year old French legend Agnes Varda (her doc “Faces Places” also deserves awards), have steak tips with Tovah Feldshuh (she’s in two TV series right now) and her husband Andy Levy, and wind up gossiping with Robert Wagner and Jill St. John. Whew!

Liz Smith would be proud of me, I think. Mike Hall, of blessed memory, once said to me in the old Russian Tea Room, “Why are you so tired? You go to two events a night. Leonard Lyons used to go to ten things, then go back to the office and write tomorrow’s column.”

First: Jonathan Alpeyrie is a French war photographer  who looks like Bradley Cooper. He’s just published his first book, “The Shattered Lens.” Bonnie Timmerman is going to produce the movie about him, she got the book published. Yesterday’s lunch– hosted by none other than Liam Neeson– was sponsored by Signature Bank and Alliance Bernstein on a top floor of the latter’s building overlooking Central Park. Bobby Zarem came in from Savannah, Georgia. There were many old friends from Elaine’s including the writer David Black, Felicia Taylor, and FBI Special Agent Anne Beagan.

And: for reasons I didn’t really get, Katrina Lenk, star of “The Band’s Visit” on Broadway. She’s going to win Best Actress in a Musical next June. Just wait and see.

I sat next to Jonathan’s father, a lovely Russian-French man who lives in Maine now. When his son was held for ransom by the Syrians for 81 days, he couldn’t tell anyone. When his son returned to war and was kidnapped, Mr. Alpeyrie couldn’t say anything again. You might ask, why keep going back? Because Alpeyrie is addicted to adrenaline and war. It will make a great movie. It reminds me of a very good Donald Margulies play called “Time Stands Still.”

Bradley Cooper, call your agent.

Steely Dan’s Walter Becker Suffered from Esophageal Cancer, Died Less Than Four Months After Discovery

Roger Friedman
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Steely Dan’s Walter Becker Suffered from Esophageal Cancer, Died Less Than Four Months After Discovery

Delia Becker, widow of Steely Dan’s Walter Becker, has released this statement about her husband’s “heartbreaking” death. We have to thank her for being so candid. Steely Dans are still mourning this terrible loss.

Here’s her statement:

 

 

As Walter Becker’s wife of many years, I wanted to share with his fans some information regarding his death that has not previously been reported. I realize this is overdue, and I hope you will understand why. For me personally, his death was a devastating blow, as I know it was for many of you. I am just beginning to emerge from its heartbreaking impact. 

Walter died in the course of being treated for an extremely aggressive form of esophageal cancer. The cancer was detected during one of his annual medical checkups and its presence came as a grim surprise to Walter, his doctors and to me. It seemed to have come out of nowhere and had spread with terrifying speed.

Walter chose an intense regimen of chemotherapy at Sloan Kettering though, between the cancer’s aggressiveness and the overwhelming toxicity resulting from the chemotherapy treatments, Walter died less than four months after the cancer was detected.

Walter passed peacefully in our New York City home, surrounded by his family, his music, and a blustery rainstorm — one of his favorite sounds — blowing outside the window. In keeping with his wishes, he was cremated without ceremony or memorial in New York City. 

Understandably, Walter wanted privacy during the course of his illness and he hoped for recovery. He wanted to be able to return to the stage and once again perform for his fans. It’s important to me, as it was to Walter, that you all know he never intended to keep anyone in the dark about his condition. He just ran out of time much sooner than any of us thought possible. 

The tsunami of tributes and remembrances that have followed Walter’s passing has been deeply moving. Even his “Number 1 Fan” — me — would not have predicted anything close to the depth and breadth of public expressions from those whose lives were enriched by Walter —  by his talent, his kindness, and his skill at inspiring some wicked fun. 

Thank you, everyone, for helping me and his loved ones know that Walter’s mark on the world — and on all of you — will not soon fade. 

Broadway: Struggling “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” Will Close in January 2018

Roger Friedman
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Broadway: Struggling “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” Will Close in January 2018

It wasn’t meant to be.

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” will close its Broadway run on January 14, 2018. It’s been a money loser from the start.

The musical also garnered no Tony nominations (save for Christian Borle, who was nominated for another show). The writing was on the wall, the chocolate was melting.

The show never really got up beyond $700,000 a week until this past week, which may have been due to special sale. Otherwise, week after week it struggled to hang on.

“Charlie” came to NY from London’s West End, where it also struggled with bad reviews. The Broadway version was totally revamped but it didn’t matter.

Oh, well, good try. Lots of money out the window. If you need to see a musical, go to “The Band’s Visit.” Perfection.

Hollywood Nightmare Continues: Warner Bros. “Justice League” Gets Dismal Reviews

Roger Friedman
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Hollywood Nightmare Continues: Warner Bros. “Justice League” Gets Dismal Reviews

Warner Bros. can now join its fellow studios in the Bad News department: “Justice League,” the studio’s attempt to turn DC Comics into a Marvel-like money maker. is being trashed by critics.

This is on top of Warners’ other bombs this year including “Blade Runner 2049” and “King Arthur.” Other strikeouts include the current “Geostorm” and films like “The House” and “CHiPS.”

Still, Warners can point to mega hits “Wonder Woman” and “It.” And it’s possible “Dunkirk” will sweep up a lot of Oscar nominations.

But “Justice League” has scored just a 51 on Metacritic. (No reviews on Rotten Tomatoes til tomorrow, the movie opens Friday.)

The biggest thing going against “Justice League” is that it’s not “Wonder Woman 2.” The Patty Jenkins movie was such a giddy high– labeled the best comic book movie by some– that even the average rank of “Justice League” seems worse than it really is.

This movie, of course, suffered from change in directors. Zack Snyder left after a personal tragedy, replaced by Joss Whedon, whose credit is unofficial. They are directors with two very different styles. From reports it doesn’t sound like the two tones meshed.

There is a range of reviews on Metacritic among the 25 counted so far: Variety’s Owen Gleiberman loved it and gave it an 80. The Hollywood Reporter’s Todd McCarthy said it was a 30 and claimed “it’s simply not fun.”

We won’t know the full extent of the critical damage until tomorrow. And yet, the box office may still surprise everyone at least on the first weekend. But I think tonight’s preview screenings around the country will presage the weekend damage.

PS This may be the end of Ben Affleck as Batman. Stay tuned…

Hollywood Royal Couple, Robert Wagner and Jill St. John, Still Cool As Ever from “Batman” and “Bond” to “NCIS”

Roger Friedman
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Hollywood Royal Couple, Robert Wagner and Jill St. John, Still Cool As Ever from “Batman” and “Bond” to “NCIS”

There were a lot of celebrities Tuesday night at the 90th anniversary party for Gallagher’s Steakhouse on West 52nd St. near Broadway. Richard Kind, Tovah Feldshuh, Len Cariou–Broadway types, all beloved types. The famed paparazzi, Ron Galella, mortal enemy of Jackie Onassis but chronicler of celebrities, had a corner booth. I ran into people I hadn’t seen in a long time, it was like a great big reunion.

But without a doubt the stars of the night were Robert Wagner and Jill St. John. They are the epitome of Hollywood cool. She was a Bond and a Batman girl. He was..is… suavecito. I looked it up later. Are you ready? He is 87. She is 77. They look like they’re in their Fifties. I interviewed Bob in the 90s, one of the best pieces I ever did. He remembered. I complimented them and Jill said, “As Oscar Wilde said, Living well is the best revenge.”

We talked about Liz Smith. “I loved her,” Wagner said. “When I heard she passed, I was very sad. She really loved me. She always wrote about me. She interviewed me at the 92nd St. Y when each of my books came out. She was very special.”

We talked about Jill’s five decade fame for appearing in the “Batman” TV pilot in 1966. She reprised the role of Molly, the Riddler’s assistant, in a subsequent episode as well. Four year old boys light up when they see her. They think “Batman” is current. Jill says she has to explain to them that the Riddler, the Joker, and the Penguin are all gone. “A little boy asked me Are they in heaven? I said, No, they were criminals, they’re in hell!” She laughed. (I’m telling you, Jill St. John is still hot.)

“Michael Weatherly’s son loves her,” said Wagner of his friend and “NCIS” co-star (Weatherly now stars in “Bull” on CBS.) “We’re having dinner with them this week, Jill said. Wagner will shoot a new “NCIS” episode before the end of the year.

We talked about his kids with Natalie Wood. “They’re all doing great,” he said. “Natasha is introducing a Natalie perfume on HSN,” he said.

“Listen to what happened. I got a fraud alert on my credit card,” Jill interjects. “I bought two bottles of Natalie to help sales, from HSN. The computer saw I hadn’t shopped there before! I was just trying to help!”

We didn’t get to talk about their famous “Seinfeld” appearance in the legendary “Yada Yada/Anti-Dentite” episode (which also featured Bryan Cranston as Dr. Tim Watley). After countless classic TV shows like “It Takes a Thief” and “Hart to Hart,” Wagner will always have “Seinfeld,”

What brought them to Gallagher’s and cold cold New York from warm Beverly Hills and balmy Aspen? “I came here when I was 12 with my grandparents,” Wagner said. “Then I was here all the time when I was a young actor. Plus Dean Poll, who owns it now, is a good friend.”

“He basically saved it from closing,” said Jill. We reminisced about John Springer, the famed Broadway press agent who repped the place 30 years ago. I told them Aretha Franklin likes the food so much she orders in from her hotel when she’s in town.

They posed for the photo above and went back to their filet mignon. What class acts! All I needed was Stefanie Powers to walk in and we’d be over the top with Hollywood cool!

 

photo c2017 Showbiz411

UPDATE: Taylor Swift’s Reputation Intact, Has Crossed the 1 Million Mark Through Monday

Roger Friedman
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UPDATE: Taylor Swift’s Reputation Intact, Has Crossed the 1 Million Mark Through Monday

UPDATE: Reputation crossed the 1 million mark Monday night. Confetti, Swiftians.

 

EARLIER: Let’s just say, Taylor Swift will not have to cut coupons out of the supermarket circulars this week.

On Sunday, Swift’s “Reputation” album crossed the 900,000 mark in sales to 904K. She sold about 180,000 copies on Sunday from midnight to midnight, following her appearance on “Saturday Night Live.”

There are still four full days to count this week for sales. Monday’s numbers will come in today. The cut off is Thursday night at midnight.

At this rate, “Reputation” could hit 1.5 million for a first week. Somewhere, the guys from Right Said Fred are drinking Champagne since Taylor borrowed “I’m Too Sexy” for the album. Ka ching!

Down in Nashville, Big Machine Records’ Scott Borchetta is treating his whole office to donuts and Mercedes . (Just kidding!)

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